Chapter 13

Megan

A knock sounds at my front door. I frown and place my food on the plate. I look at Logan, then at Courtney. They both shrug at me. The doorman only lets people who are approved up and rings if there’s a parcel to collect.

“I’ll get it,” Ella says, running towards the door.

“No, wait, Ella,” I call and quickly wipe my hands on a napkin. I hear her open the door. “This child,” I huff.

“Who are you?” I hear Ella say.

“Oh, hi, you must be Ella,” I hear Mark say. I frown and look at Courtney. I didn’t know Mark was coming today.

“Who are you?” Ella asks again

“I’m your mommy’s boyfriend,” he says.

“My mommy doesn’t have a boyfriend,” Ella says.

“He’s a friend. Now go back to eating your food,” I tell her and move her towards the living room. I watch her walk back to her food and then look at Mark. He looks good today. “What are you doing here?” I ask. The other day I ended things with him. He texted me in the morning, apologising for pushing the ‘meeting Ella’ conversation, and I agreed to give him another chance.

“We had plans, do you not remember?” he asks. I frown. “I texted you I was on my way,”

“Sorry, I’ve had a lot on,” I say as I remember that we did have plans, I’d messaged him last night. “I meant to text you,” we usually meet when Ella is at school, and he leaves when I leave to pick her up. With everything that’s gone on this morning, I forgot.

“It’s fine,” he says. I can’t believe he just told Ella he’s my boyfriend. “We can still hang out; she’s adorable,”

“No, her father is here. Can we talk outside?” I say and pull him out to the foyer. He pulls me close to him and goes to kiss me. “Why did you say you’re my boyfriend?”

“It just slipped out,” he says and then frowns. “You’re angry,”

“Of course I am, she’s only just met her dad, and you want to introduce yourself as my boyfriend,” I snap, “I thought we talked about this,”

“I’m sorry, it slipped out,” Mark states. I sigh and look down. “What’s wrong? You look stressed,”

“She has been refusing to go to school for a couple of weeks, and I’ve just found out it’s because she’s being bullied,” I tell him. He frowns at me and pulls me into a hug.

“She’s 4. Why are kids bullying a 4-year-old?” he asks.

“I feel like I made a mistake letting her into 1st Grade, I should have just kept her in kindergarten,”

“No, don’t blame yourself, kids are mean, she’s from what you’ve told me a brilliant girl, and it was the best option for her,”

“Her dad set up a meeting with the school. We’re thinking of moving her to a gifted school,” I tell him.

“That’s expensive,”

“I know, I was looking at them a couple of months ago, but he wants to pay for it,”

“Wow,”

“He can afford it, trust me,” I say.

“Well, that’s good, so he’s a good guy?” he asks as he moves his hands up and down my back.

“Depends on what mood he’s in. He’s very good with Ella; that’s what counts,” I tell him and stroke my fingers through his hair.

“Daniel told me it’s Logan Peters, as in LP Enterprises Logan Peters,” he states. I knew it wouldn’t take long for Daniel to tell Mark. I thought he would have told him sooner, to be honest.

“Yes, he wasn’t as rich or well known when we were together,”

“And he’s in there now?” he asks, nodding to the door behind me. “Can I meet him?” he asks.

“Maybe another day, we’re all having lunch at the minute, and we’re discussing schools with Ella,” I pause and move my hands down his chest. “I’m going out for drinks tomorrow night if you want to meet me; I’m going with the girls so you can meet us afterwards,” I say to him, hoping that will make him feel a little better.

“I guess,” he sulks a little.

“Don’t pout. You can stay the night, and I have some new lingerie for you,” I tell him.

“You tease me,” he kisses me and pulls my body flush against his. The truth is since Logan has come back into my life, Mark and I have only met a couple of times. I’ve been trying to squash the old feelings I have for Logan to protect myself and my heart. Courtney suggested making things official with Mark, and I could do that, but it would mean using him. I don’t want to do that. It’s not fair to him to waste his time because I want a buffer between Logan and me.

“You love it,” I say against his lips and then pull away. “You should go. I’ll call you tonight after work,” I say and move my hands down his body.

“Ok, I’ll see you tomorrow night,” he states and moves away from me. I give him a small wave and open the front door. “You better keep your promise,” he says to me. I smile and shake my head.

“I will,” I say and walk back into my condo to see Logan looking at me. I feel myself blush and notice Courtney chuckle a little at the situation I’m suddenly in. I sit back at the table to eat.

“Who was that man mummy?” Ella asks.

“Just a friend,”

“He said he’s your boyfriend,” she says.

“Well, he’s a boy, and he’s my friend,” I say, and Courtney laughs. I scowl at her and then look at Logan to see a smirk on his face.

“But shouldn’t he be called a man friend because he’s an adult?” she asks as she bites into her wrap. I smile a little.

“He’s a friend, that’s all,”

“Can I meet him?” she asks.

“Maybe another time,” I tell her, “he’s a new friend. You can meet him when I know more about him,” It’s not a complete lie. I’ve not known him as long as I’ve known my other friends, so it’s safe to say he’s a new friend. Right?

---

The moment we sat down in the meeting, Logan treated it like he was in a business meeting, he was the boss, and I allowed him to take charge. A part of me wanted to see how he’d handle it, and the other part of me was too angry to think about this logically. How could the school not see a four-year-old getting bullied? I told them my fears of letting her into this class, and they told me she would be safe. That there would always be someone watching her. Maybe I’m irrational or overprotective, but she’s my everything. When she hurts, I hurt.

Logan had threatened that if the children weren’t dealt with, he’d speak to the people who funded the school, and it turned out he’s friends with a few of them. A little harsh, I know, but it sated my anger. The children’s parents sat angrily, glaring at us both, some refused to believe that their child could bully, but it turned out the school had pulled each of the children into the principal’s office and asked them all individually. They all ended up confessing to most of the things.

“Are you ok?” Logan asks me once we’re in the car. I nod and look down at my phone. “You can’t blame yourself for this,” he states.

“Maybe not, but I should have known,” I say and look out of the window. Logan could easily use this against me if he wanted to take Ella away from me.

“When did you get the tattoo?” he asks, changing the subject. I look at him and then move my shoulder to look over at it. He moves his fingers over my shoulder, sending tiny shocks through my body—damn hormones.

“About two years ago,” I reply. It’s only a small tattoo of a birdcage and a bird breaking free from the cage with a bolt of blue.

“It’s nice,” he says, stroking over the bird. I look at him and smile a little.

“Thanks,” I can feel my face flush, and it’s not just from his compliment.

“Do you have any more?” he asks. I move my hair showing music notes behind my ear. His fingers move up over them. “New piercings also,” he states, referring to the multiple piercings in my ear.

“Yeah, I decided to put holes in my ears when Carlton said I couldn’t,” I say and feel his fingers trail over the multiple piercings on my ear. “I have ‘Ella’ on the back of the other and a violin on my forearm,” I tell him as I turn to show him. The violin is classed as a minimalist line tattoo. It’s only small, but I love it, it’s for my mom. He nods and tilts his head a little.

“Any more piercings?” he asks.

“None that you’re going to see,” I tell him, and he chuckles at me. I look at the rearview mirror to see David smirking. I’m not sure how accurate my statement is when I can’t seem to stop myself from either flirting with him or wanting to kiss him.

“Funny,” he tells me, “so you hide them when you're working?” he asks.

“Yeah, harder for people to recognise me. I hide all but the music notes because they’re quite generic,” I explain.

“What about you? I noticed you had some inking on your shoulder at the club,”

“Nothing exciting,”

“No new piercings? You’ve got rid of your lip ones,” I state. He sticks his tongue out, showing me the silver ball on his tongue. How the hell did I miss that? I must have shown my shock on my face because he chuckles a little.

“I got this while on a six-month bender. I debated on getting rid of it when I got clean,”

“You didn’t get clean straight away?” I ask, a little surprised. I thought he would have.

“No, I had every intention of doing so, but I went on a six-month bender, woke up one day in a hotel room in some country with my tongue and nipple done, kind of glad it was just them two. They heal better than other places,” he explains.

“I see,” I say and cross my legs. I’d gotten changed into a pair of jeans and a cami after my photo session. It’s not that warm today. It’s days like this that I remember it’s still spring.

“Not the worst morning I’ve ever had,” he adds, “just a stupid one, like many,” he says.

“So, how long have you been clean?” I ask.

“Just over three years,”

“Do you still smoke?”

“Sometimes, but usually to help me sleep,”

“Same. What are you doing Sunday?” I ask. Ella keeps asking me to invite Logan and David for dinner, and Sunday is perfect as it’s more of a family one.

“Not much. I’m forced to have it off by Lorraine,” he says with a roll of his eyes.

“Well, we usually have a family dinner every other week, and I’m hosting this week. Ella has been asking me to invite both of you,” I state and look at David as I say it. “Lorraine too, my dad will be there with Sara. Tell Carl he’s invited too. I might make it a barbeque instead if the weather is nice,” I explain.

“Sure, what time?”

“Is four ok?” I ask.

“Yeah,” he says. I look at David, and he nods.

“Cool,” I say and notice David pulls up to my building. “Ella will be so happy,” I say with a small smile. “You should see her when she gets excited. She’s like an excitement bomb; she can’t sit still. It’s so damn cute,” I say, and he smiles.

“Naturally,” Logan says.

“I’ll see you Sunday,” I say and open the car door. I give them both a small wave and get out of the car.

Nothing wrong could happen with everyone there. With so many people, they'll be a nice buffer between us. I need to do something to squash these feelings I have. The butterflies need to be exterminated and any other fluttering feelings. He’s not a free man, and we’re not right for each other. I need to remember the heartbreak that comes with him. That he and I won’t be a good outcome, that love isn’t on the cards for me anymore.

---

Walking off to the side of the stage, Sam gives me a slight smirk as I take a sip of my bottled water. I’d just finished a set of songs. I love working at The Lounge. It’s so much more relaxed and a more comfortable atmosphere. The people in the audience are there to listen to me sing, not take my clothes off. I may not get as many tips, but it’s still a fun time. Sam watches my tip jar and writes down any requests given. When I first started singing here, I just did the songs I wanted to sing, then Elena had asked me to make a list of the songs I know so that customers could request songs.

The Lounge also lets me wear different outfits; tonight, I’m wearing Courtney’s prom dress. It’s sexy as hell and perfect for my nights here. It’s strapless, sheer, and the only thing covering me is a nude bodice; gems and sequins are embroidered all over it. I had to get it altered in the bust area to make it fit, and I got the skirt removable. Since having Ella, my bust is a lot bigger, which is surprising. It might be because I started eating more, I’m not sure. Depending on the crowd, my outfits can be a different style. Tonight like most Fridays, it’s primarily couples or women out on a girls night after work.

“I wasn’t supposed to tell you, but your ex is in the crowd,” Sam tells me.

“What?” I ask, shocked and peek my head out to the stage to look. I can’t usually see the crowd until I come off stage because of the bright spotlight.

“He’s at the bar watching,” he tells me.

“Why weren’t you supposed to tell me?” I ask.

“He told the barman not to tell you, and well, I can't keep a secret from you,” he says with a grin. I smile and reapply my red lipstick.

“I probably shouldn’t have told him I’m working tonight,” I state. This is the third time Logan has turned up (that I know of) when I’m working. “What’s the next song?”

“Someone Else by Miley Cyrus,”

“Perfect, what’s the next one?” I say and touch my mask, making sure it’s in place. I’d gone with a traditional black lace mask today and my black wig from earlier.

“Hit me like a man,” he says.

“Fun,” I say and turn back to the stage.

The music starts to play as I walk back onto the stage. I glance at Logan, and I wish I hadn’t. How can he always look so good? I’m either very sexually frustrated, or the thirst for him is real.

“I have another requested song for you all. I like this one a lot. It’s always nice when I can relate to a song, the one after is much more fun, though,” I say and look at the live band.

If you're looking for love,

know that love don't live here anymore,

he left with my heart,

they both walked through that door, without me…

The song ends and moves straight into the heavy drumming and guitar of the next one. Unlike the last one, I like to move more with this one. I tend to also get a few more tips with it, mainly because it’s referencing sex. I even move into the audience with this one.

‘I am strong, love is evil,

It's a version of perversion that is only for the lucky people

Take your time and do with me what you will, I don't mind

You know I'm ill, you know I'm ill.’

I finish the first chorus and move down to the audience, the bass’s strumming leading me on with the drums and giving me the confidence to sing around the audience.

Logan watches, and I feel his eyes on me the whole time. I can’t help but glance up at him now and then to see his reaction. Nothing changes. He just stands there with his back to the bar, watching. If it was only us in this room right now, I know for a fact I wouldn’t finish this song.

I sing another few songs that are more ballad types. It’s obvious there are many women in tonight, the ones that requested the songs have been singing along, making me smile a little. It’s cute as hell but also gives me this little flutter in my heart when I see them sing with their partners. The love they have for each other is evident. It makes me wish I could have that again, but I know I can’t. Logan ruined any chance of me allowing myself to love like that again. I have to depend on myself and my daughter.

Wiping my eyes with a cotton pad and some makeup remover, I notice Logan walk into the dressing room. He leans against the wall, his designer suit jacket tightening as he folds his arms and watches me.

“Usually, when fans come backstage, they have flowers,” I tease. He smirks and moves closer to me.

“I think I’m more than a fan,” he says.

“Doesn’t mean you don’t bring flowers,” I say with a small smile. He trails his fingers down my back making me shiver a little.

“I’ll remember for next time,” he says and leans against the dresser I’m standing at. “What are you doing after here?”

“Home,” I tell him.

“Can I take you for a drink?” he asks. I take my wig off and then let my hair out of the wig cap, letting it fall down my back in curls.

“I don’t think that is a good idea,” I state.

“Why not? It’s only a drink,” he says innocently, knowing full well what I mean. We nearly kissed earlier, and the way he’s looked at me all night makes me think dirty thoughts.

“Because I don’t think it will end there,” I say and look at him. Thanks to the heels, I’m eye level with him.

“Well, I’m hoping it will end with me dropping you home and seeing you Sunday afternoon,” he says, “unless you have other ideas,” he tilts his head at that statement. I don’t miss the playful smirk on his lip.

“I’m not dressed for drinks,” I’m making any excuse now.

“I’m sure you have other dresses in there. What did you wear to come to work?” I smile a little as he knows what I came to work in. It was the skinny jeans and top I wore earlier.

“Ok, let me get changed, and I’ll meet you at the bar,” I say as I get back to removing the heavy eye makeup.

“Although you look very, very good in this dress,” he says as his eyes give me an appreciative look over. He moves to run his fingers up the slit of my dress, making my skin tingle. I look at him and see the desire and heat in his eyes. His fingers reach the nude bodice I’m wearing underneath and trail along the sensitive skin. “Makes me wonder just how much you will let me do,” he says as he leans closer to me, referencing the song I’d sung earlier. I gulp and feel my mouth become suddenly dry.

“What do you want to do?” I ask. Jesus, what is wrong with my brain? I think it’s disconnected from my mouth.

“What I want to do will definitely give you pleasure and pain,” he says.

Maybe we shouldn’t go for drinks. We should end the night here. I’ll go home, maybe pull out my battery-operated boyfriend and see him on Sunday. His lips skim mine, and I want nothing more than to pull him closer and stop this torturous teasing. I’m that caught in his spell I don’t realise I’m already touching him. My hands are on his muscular chest as his other hand is on my butt. I lick my lips in anticipation. I know what his mouth can do, and I’ve never wanted something so much in such a long time.

Someone clears their throat. I look and see Elena and Sam, both standing at the door of the dressing room. From the smirk on Sam’s face, I’ve gone bright red. Logan pulls away from me but doesn’t take his hands from me straight away. He lets his touch linger as he moves away from me.

“I’ll meet you at the bar,” he says to me and walks out. I turn quickly and go back to remove the rest of my makeup, only the bright red lipstick left.

“That was intense,” Elena says. I look at her from the mirror and then look away. “I came to tell you how good you were tonight,”

“Thanks,” I murmur. She stands where Logan was standing, only not as close. “Don’t say it; I know what you’re going to say,”

“I wasn’t going to say anything, just be careful,”

“I know, I’m trying,”

“Try harder,” Sam states. I frown at him, “Courtney doesn’t sing his praises,”

“He’s not a bad guy. He’s just not good for me,” I say and look down. “Courtney has a bad view of him because of how he left things with me,”

“You still have feelings for him. Ex’s are ex’s for a reason,” Sam states.

“I know. We’re not getting back together,” I sternly clarify. More to convince me than them. I know they’re trying to look out for me just like Courtney, but I know all of this.

“He’s just meeting you after work for what?” he asks.

“Sam, leave it,” Elena says and then looks at me. “Sometimes the heart overrides the brain,” she says to him but is looking at me.

“We’re only going for drinks,” I say to them both. “Then he’s dropping me home, he’s not coming in, and then I’ll see him on Sunday. Nothing is going to happen,” I state to them and tell myself.

“Sure,” Sam says and places my tips jar on the dressing table.

“Did you give the band some?” I ask. He nods, “What about you?” I ask

“Stop giving your tips away. Sam gets paid enough,” Elena states and I smile. “He gets more than you an hour,” she says and moves my tip jar towards me.

I unclip the dress’s skirt and decide to put my light blue skinny jeans on and wear them with the glitter heels I’m wearing now. That way, I’m not underdressed or overdressed. There aren’t many bars open at this time.

“So is this a date? Sam asks.

“No,” I say with a sigh as I pull my jeans on. “It’s drinks. I’m allowed to have drinks with my daughter’s dad, right?” I ask. They both tilt their heads a little as if they’re unsure.

“From what we’ve just seen, it’s not just drinks,” Sam says.

“It is, and if it’s not, then that means I’m getting laid, so it’s a win, win either way,” I state, and I can see the worry on their face. “It’s fine,”

“He’s engaged,” Elena tells me.

“I know,”

“Don’t set yourself up for heartbreak,” she tells me.

“I’m not,” I say as I put a light layer of foundation on. I notice Sam and Elena give each other a worried glance.

After about ten minutes, I’m ready. I combed through my hair to make it a little tidier after having it squashed under a wig for the past couple of hours. I’d gone with a more natural makeup look, just a few coats of mascara and a bit of bronzer and blush to make me look a little more awake. Today has been a busy day. After the school meeting, I managed to nap for an hour for work, but that was about it. Luckily tomorrow I’ll get to sleep in.

Walking out to the bar, I see Logan stood talking to one of the waitresses. I sit next to him and look at Lewis, the bartender. He walks over to me and pours me my usual drink as I sit and wait for Logan and the waitress to finish talking. By the look of things, she’s flirting with him, and it’s glaringly obvious. I wonder if he gets this more now that he is so well known. He must enjoy it, having women just throw themselves at him and having people fall over themselves to be noticed by him. People are money hungry and would do anything to get a fraction of his wealth.

“I get off work in an hour,” the waitress hints.

“I’m meeting someone,” he says to her.

“Well, if you get bored,” she pulls the pen out of her hair.

“I’m alright, I won’t get bored,” he says to her. I smile a little. How can he be so sure?

“You never know,” she tries.

“I know,” he says.

“Well, maybe you can call me afterwards,” she says, and I hear the frustrated sigh leave him.

“Are you ready?” I ask, saving the girl from a scathing reply from Logan. He turns and looks at me, and so does the waitress. She scowls at me, and then realisation appears on her face.

“Finally,” Logan says. I smile a little, and the waitress gives me a small smile.

“Hi,” she says.

“Hi,” I say to her and look behind her to see a couple looking around for a waitress. “I think you’re needed somewhere else,” I say to her and point to the table of the annoyed-looking customers. She looks and then purses her lips. “Elena is on the floor also,” I tell her slyly, threatening her with possible disciplinary for chatting a customer up rather than doing her actual job. She rolls her eyes and then looks at Logan.

“Maybe next time,” she says with an innocent smile and leaves. Logan looks at me.

“Elena isn’t on the floor,”

“She doesn’t know that,” I pause, “shall we go?” I ask.

“Sure,” he says and walks me towards the elevator. “Thanks for that,” he says once the elevator doors are closed.

“I didn’t do anything,”

“Saved me from hurting her feelings,” he tells me.

“You wouldn’t have hurt her feelings,” I say and walks out of the building with him. “I’m sure you get that all the time,”

“I do. It doesn’t mean I have gotten any better at turning them down,” he says as he walks towards a waiting car. I see the ‘uber’ sticker on the side and frown. “I ordered it while I was waiting,”

“No, David tonight,”

“No, I managed to sneak out,” he says with a glint of humour in his eyes. “I think he’s convinced I have a target on my back,” he opens the door for me.

“Why would he think that?” I ask as I get in the taxi.

“Because I piss people off with the truth most of the time,” he says with a shrug of his shoulders. I frown and look at him.”But it’s all words said out of anger over losing millions,”

“So it’s nothing to worry about?” I ask.

“No, I still speak to them all, he just thinks I’ll piss off the wrong kind of person one day, but most people love me,” he says with a grin.

“Strange you’re not more worried about any of this,”

“What’s the point in worrying?” he asks. “If I die, then I die, no point worrying about death. After all, it’s coming for all of us,” he says

“True,” I say and look out of the window. “So, where are we going?” I ask.

“There’s a hotel I own with an excellent bar on the upper east side,” he says. I nod and feel his arm move over my shoulders. I wonder if he realises he does this a lot or if it’s just a natural habit for him. Either way, it stirs the butterflies in my stomach. It almost makes me want to find the damn butterflies and give them a stern talking.

His fingers trace small circles on my shoulder, making me look at him. He’s looking out of the window in thought. I need to put an end to the flutters in my stomach.

“What’s your fiance like?” I ask.

“She’s a bitch,” he says. “Sly, snake-like and I wouldn’t spit on her if she were on fire,” he adds.

“Strong feelings for her then,” I state. He looks at me, and for the first time, I don’t know what he’s feeling.

“I’d rather not talk about her,” he says calmly, but I have a feeling he’s anything but calm.

“Ok,” is all I say, and silence follows. It isn’t until we get to our destination do I feel him relax. What has this woman done to make him hate her so much? I’ve never seen Logan show hate like that, so outwardly. Even when he spoke about Jonathon, he hid his hatred well.

We get out of the car, and Logan takes my hand as we walk into the hotel towards the bar. He makes a beeline for the bar snapping up two seats. The place is still busy. There's a crowd of people standing in front of the bar getting drinks, and nearly every table is occupied. Music plays in the background adding to the ambient atmosphere of the place. Candles sit at every table, and a warm glow of lights spot around, giving the place a cosy feel.

The barman comes to us pretty much straight away and places two menus in front of us. I see why it’s pretty busy; it’s a cocktail bar.

“An Old Fashioned, please,” Logan tells him, and the bartender looks at me.

“Urm,” I look through the menu. “I’ll have a pornstar martini, please,” I say. He nods and starts to make our drinks in front of us. “I need to text Courtney. I’m usually home by now,” I say as I take my phone out of my bag.

“Is Ella ok?”

“Yeah, I put her to bed before I went to work. Hopefully, she’ll sleep through. She has a habit of waking herself up so that she can see me when I get home,” I tell him.

‘I’ll be home late. I’ve gone out for drinks,” I text Courtney.

‘Ooo, who with?’ she texts back.

‘A friend,’

‘Mark?’ she sends with an eggplant emoji and a tongue.

‘No,’

‘Tell me,’

“This girl is so nosy,” I say with a smile and look at Logan to see him watching me. “What?”

“Nothing,” he says “why won’t you tell her you’re with me?” he asks.

“Because she won't approve,” I truthfully tell him and look at my phone as other texts come through.

‘I’ll text Sam and ask him,’ I sigh and put my phone back.

“Doesn’t matter, she'll find out anyway,” I say, and he frowns at me.

“Why wouldn’t she approve? It’s just drinks,”

“You know why,” I say as the barman places our drinks in front of us. Logan takes a sip of his drink as he hands the barman his card. “I’ll pay for mine,” I tell him. He shakes his head and places his glass on the bar.

“I asked you,”

“What do you usually do on a Friday night?” I ask.

“Work out. If Carl isn’t dragging me out, I do a lot of phone calls, so I try not to go out,”

“What changed tonight?”

“I’ve left my work phone at home, and I knew you were working. It seemed a better option than staying home alone. When I go out, I either leave early, get drunk and sleep with some random girl. My life is pretty boring,” he tells me.

“Oh,” is all I say. He sounds lonely.

“What about you? When you’re not working?”

“When I’m not working, I have a date night with Ella, which usually consists of us watching a collection of Disney movies, pizza and ice-cream,” I smile as I remember the last time we had a date night. “She usually falls asleep, tries her hardest to stay up all night, but she can’t. The last time I woke up before she did and she had a slice of pizza stuck to her face,”

“How?”

“No idea, the kid is a sprawler, I think she got up to go to the toilet and decided she wanted some more pizza and fell asleep while eating it,” I say, and he chuckles. “I can’t tell you how many times she’s fallen out of bed,” I say and sip my martini. The sweet flavours of the mango, pineapple and the smooth smokiness of the caramel fill my mouth. “You laugh but just wait until she’s sleeping at yours, and you wake up with a foot in your face,” I say, and he continues to laugh.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he laughs. “But she can have her own room,”

“Yeah, you’re getting a foot in the face. I redecorated her room to get her to stay in. She still climbs into my bed in the middle of the night,” I say with a slight chuckle.

“You love it, though,” he says.

“Yeah, she’s very cuddly, even more, when she’s had a bad dream,” I say.

“How are your dreams?” he asks.

“Better, since he got sentenced, it’s been much better. I get one now and then, Ella tends to hear and wakes Courtney or Yasmin up, and they all end up in bed with me,” I explain.

“Max and the cats too?” Logan asks.

“Yeah, Max is always on my bed,”

“I bet Mark loves that,” he says. I sigh and look at him. “What? From my memory, Max is a cock blocker,” he adds, and I chuckle.

“Yeah, he is. He’s worse with Mark. He follows me. I have to lock him out on the terrace or give him a big animal bone; otherwise, he sits at the door barking and howling,” I explain. Logan laughs. “He hates Mark,”

“Remind me to give Max anything he wants,” he says as he downs his drink. “So what else about you has changed,”

“What do you mean? I’ve not changed,” I ask.

“You have multiple tattoo’s, piercings in places I never thought you would have, you have multiple sex friends, and you’re a stripper, a lot about you has changed,”

“Wow,” I say, “you make me sound so good,”

“No, I didn’t mean it like that,” he pauses and sighs. “Sorry, I meant you’ve changed, you’re so much more confident, it’s nice to see, I like seeing how confident you are with yourself,” I finish my drink and look for the bartender. “I’ve upset you,” he says.

The bartender comes back, and I order a long island iced tea. Logan orders another drink and then looks around the bar.

“There’s a table,” he says and stands up. I look to where he’s looking to see a waitress cleaning the table and then looking over at us. “I texted beforehand that we were coming, they said my usual booth was occupied, and they’d free it as soon as they could,” he explains.

“Ok,” I say and follow him towards the white leather circular booth. The booth looks out to the whole bar but still gives some privacy. I notice a guy looking at me, and it seems Logan saw too as he moves his hand round my waist.

“You’re hot as hell,” Logan says to me. I roll my eyes and move into the booth. He sits next to me and moves his arm behind me, so his fingers touch my shoulder. “Still pissed at me,”

“No, I get what you’re saying. I guess I have become more confident. If it helps, I have ten piercings and six tattoo’s,” I tell him.

“Where’s the other piercing?” he asks. I smile and look away from him. A waitress places our drinks in front of us, “keep them coming,” Logan says. I shake my head and take a sip of my cocktail. This is stronger than the martini, full of alcohol but tastes super sweet. It’s amazing.

“Are you trying to get me drunk?” I ask.

“No, drink as much as you want or don’t want. It saves us from having to ask is all,” he says.

“What about you?”

“Nothing’s changed, you know pretty much everything,” he states. “I work most of the time. I try to keep myself busy. I’ve just accepted to teaching at NYU for a year,”

“Oh, what subject?” I ask

“I’m going to be the guest lecturer for Business management,” he tells me, and my eyes widen.

“No, kidding?” That means he’s going to be my lecturer.

“What are you studying?”

“Psychology, Business, and computer sciences,” I tell him. He smirks, and I feel his fingers stroke my shoulder.

“So I’m going to be your teacher again,” he states with a very sexy smirk. “You’ll have to call me Sir,” he adds, and I smile a little. “I like it when you call me sir,”

“Stop flirting,” I say and take a sip of my drink. I don’t think this drink is cold enough to cool down my overly hot hormones.

“I’m not flirting, just stating a fact,” his hand moves up to the back of my neck, making me shiver a little. He knows exactly what he’s doing to me. I cross my legs as I feel myself become flustered. This night cannot end in sex or anything more than maybe a hug. I’ll have one more drink, and then I have to call it a night.