Chapter 304

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, remembering 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 says, kissing 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, Mommy?” 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?