Chapter 140

Chapter 140

"What do you mean I'm going too?"

Cordelia barely kept her voice down. She glanced at Rhys, fast asleep, then grabbed Logan's arm and pulled him into the next room.

"What do you mean I'm going too?" she demanded. "I never agreed to meet your parents. Just take Rhys. Why do I have to be involved?"

Her words tumbled out in a rush.

She liked Logan—a lot. But she was nowhere near ready to meet his family.

And what would she even say? That she'd been married before? That she had a child? That she and Logan were genuinely in love?

Just imagining the scene made her shudder.

Logan watched her with an amused smile. "What do you think my parents are, wolves? They're not as scary as you're imagining."

Cordelia chewed her lip and paced in a tight circle. "It's not about scary. I haven't figured out what to say to them yet."

Even the most open-minded parents wouldn't want their son with a divorcée.

And technically, when things started between her and Logan, she hadn't even finalized her divorce from Nathan. That was a stain on their history.

What if his parents couldn't accept it?

A gentle pinch on her nose snapped her out of it.

She looked up into Logan's warm, smiling eyes. "Can I take this to mean you actually care about me?"

Cordelia frowned.

"We're not even married yet, and here you are, a nervous bride-to-be worrying about her in-laws." His voice softened. "You really care that much about what my parents think of you?"

She did. She really did.

She and Logan had barely pieced things back together. If his parents drove a wedge between them now, the cracks might never heal.

And if they truly disapproved—Logan might charge ahead regardless, but could she?

People said you married the person. Cordelia felt like you married the family.

They'd all be in each other's lives. She couldn't let Logan bear his parents' resentment because of her.

Seeing her anxiety was real, Logan dropped the teasing. He drew her gently into his arms.

"My parents are actually pretty open-minded. I've mentioned you to them—not everything, but enough. They know you exist."

Cordelia bit her lip and tilted her head up. "What did they say? Did they tell you that you deserve better?"

Logan chuckled at her spiraling and gave her nose another squeeze. "Stop scaring yourself. I told you, they're open-minded. As long as I'm happy, they're fine with it."

They'd eventually accepted even Raina. Cordelia was a thousand times better. Why would they object?

"I'm still not going." Cordelia pulled free of his arms, firm. "Not until I'm ready."

Logan sighed. "I just thought—Rhys is already comfortable with you. He depends on you. If you went with him, he'd be more relaxed. But if you really don't want to, I won't push."

Cordelia eyed him. "Which eye of yours sees him depending on me? That kid lives to roast me."

They were still locked in a battle of wills. Neither one backing down.

"He stood up for you today. You didn't notice?"

Rhys barely strung two words together for most people, yet today he'd said more in front of Nathan than he had all week—all for Cordelia. And she hadn't caught it?

Cordelia thought about it. Actually... he was right.

Rhys had become much more animated than when they'd first met. At least around her.

The shift was so subtle she would've missed it entirely if Logan hadn't pointed it out.

"So... does that mean he actually likes me now?"

Her eyes brightened as she said it.

Rhys's story was heartbreaking. He called Logan 'Daddy,' but they shared no blood. His mother had just died in a car accident. He had relatives, technically, but precious few people he truly relied on.

That kind of loneliness could turn a child silent and shut down. She didn't want that for Rhys.

The thought hit her hard enough that she punched Logan's chest. "You always use Rhys to guilt-trip me!"

Logan pressed a hand over his heart, laughing. "So that's a yes?"

As if she could say no.

She pressed her lips together. "Fine. I'll go. But I'm going as Rhys's tutor—not your girlfriend."

Logan blinked. "His tutor? You sure?"

Cordelia nodded. "Positive. Tell them you enrolled Rhys in some classes and I'm his teacher, coming along to keep up his lessons."

Logan shook his head with a resigned smile. "Fine. Whatever you want."

As long as he got her there, his parents would figure it out the second they saw her. He wouldn't need to explain a thing.

---

Despite having crafted the perfect cover story, Cordelia tossed and turned all night.

On the couch, Kaida jolted awake from the constant rustling. She sat up with a groggy yawn. "Cordelia, you're still up?"

Cordelia stared at the ceiling. "Can't sleep."

"You filmed all day. You're not even a little tired? Even a machine would've shut down by now."

Cordelia crawled out of bed, padded to the couch, and shook Kaida's arm. "Kaida. Meeting your boyfriend's parents—should I be sweet and obedient? Flattering and eager? Or maybe—"

Kaida's eyes flew wide open. She cut in before Cordelia could finish. "Obviously you figure out what they like and become that person! Wait—are you going home with Mr. Landry to meet his parents? Already? Oh my God, is this happening?"

Cordelia looked at Kaida—zero trace of sleepiness now that gossip was on the table—and stood up. "Never mind. Go back to sleep."

She returned to bed.

But Kaida was fully awake and woefully under-informed. She scrambled over and grabbed Cordelia's wrist. "Cordelia, don't you dare fall asleep! You can't just drop that and leave me hanging. I won't sleep all night!"

Cordelia pressed a pillow over her ears. "Then don't sleep. You've got nothing tomorrow anyway. Consider it a day off."

Kaida bounced up, beaming. "So it's true! You're really going to meet Mr. Landry's parents?"

Her ship had just sailed into the harbor!

Once you'd met the parents, could the wedding be far behind?

Could her golden days be far behind?

She'd be the boss's wife's personal assistant. She could strut through that company like she owned the place!