He stood there triumphantly while she tried to think of something to say.
Somehow, he managed to remember some key things about her–things she had obviously shared with him over the course of her life.
“Wow.”
In a grand gesture, he stepped aside and motioned for her to get in the car and at this point, she couldn’t possibly say no. With a murmured thanks, she slid carefully into his Mercedes convertible and felt completely out of her element.
But she kept it to herself.
Within minutes, they pulled up in front of the Vault and Logan looked at her and grinned. “Stay put. I’ll be right out.” She wondered why he didn’t ask her to go in with him–after all, it would take several minutes for their lunch to be ready once they ordered. Maybe he didn’t want anyone to know they were going to lunch together. Or maybe he thought she’d find a way to get out of going to eat with him. Or maybe…
He climbed back into the car with an oversized bag in his hands that he carefully placed in the back seat.
“Um...how? I mean...when…?”
His smile grew as he settled back in the driver’s seat. “I texted our order while we were still talking back at Nana’s. I hope you don’t mind that I ordered for you.”
“Uh...no. No, it’s fine. I’m sure whatever you picked will be delicious,” she stammered and could feel herself blushing.
They pulled away and drove the few short blocks to the park. Honestly, they could have walked–even from Fiona’s it wouldn’t have been a bad thing. Then again, she was used to walking everywhere while she was in college. It was just easier than trying to find parking spots all over campus. No doubt Logan didn’t walk anywhere. And why should he? If she had a car as luxurious as this one, she’d drive everywhere too. Hell, she’d probably sleep in it because damn were these seats soft!
He parked, then grabbed the bag out of the back seat and led their way across the parking lot toward the picnic area. They didn’t talk and Piper was beginning to wonder if she had the right idea earlier–they really didn’t have a whole lot to talk about. Maybe they’d have this lunch together to get it out of the way and move on.
But damn, this was one of those times when she really hated to be right.
At the table, she watched as Logan pulled a tablecloth out of the bag and then a couple of cloth napkins as he set the table. Within minutes she found herself looking down at a plateful of food–lobster clubs on freshly-baked bread, sweet potato fries, fresh fruit, and bottles of water.
As far as picnics went, it was pretty spectacular.
They talked about the weather, memories of times they had spent in the park–separately–and how good the food was. They were halfway through their meal before he asked about her career.
“So tell me about this game you designed–the one with Nana’s garden in it.”
She smiled. “I knew she’d get a kick out of it.” Taking a sip of her water, she took a minute to consider how much information he really wanted to know about the game. “Okay, so Grove of the Eternal takes place in an enchanted forest. Players have to maneuver their way through different levels while facing challenges from all kinds of mythological creatures in their search for the path that will lead them to a castle. They collect coins and gems along the way that they can use to purchase weapons and supplies…”
“Is it a game for kids or can anyone play?”
“Anyone can play,” she replied. “I know plenty of adults who still enjoy playing games that are geared for kids. I’d say the age range for Grove of the Eternal would be ten and up. There’s no mature subject matter or a lot of violence. I mean, there are battles but no blood and guts.”
He nodded. “What made you go into gaming?”
“I enjoyed playing them when I was growing up and I’m kind of a computer geek–programming and all that. I took some courses in high school and it just really got me hooked. I don’t enjoy the coding part of it, but the rest of it just…I don’t know…it really feeds my soul. I know that sounds crazy, but…”
“No, it really doesn’t. If anything, I wish I knew what that was like.”
“What? Like in gaming?”
He shook his head. “No, I mean being that passionate about something–about a career.”
“You’re not passionate about the things you do?”
His immediate response was a sexy grin and she realized she could have chosen her words a little more carefully.
Looking away, Logan studied his hands that were clasped and resting on the table before he spoke. “I enjoy the things I do–working within our companies has given me a lot of opportunities I know most people would love to experience. I’ve traveled and I’m part of an…I don’t know…an empire that has this amazing history.”
“But…?”
“But…” He paused and let out a long breath and looked up at her. “Right now, everyone’s pressuring me to choose where it is I want to be within the whole organization. There are so many choices and, believe me, I’ve tried them all. I know I can work in any of them and do an amazing job.”
“O-kay…”
“And for all the choices…I never had a choice.”
She looked at him and knew her expression conveyed her confusion. “That doesn’t really make sense, Logan.”
Piper watched as he shifted in his spot and seemed mildly annoyed. Then he waved her off. “You know what? It’s nothing. Really.” He paused. “We were talking about you and your game design. Have you been sending out resumes?”
It would have been easy to simply pretend he hadn’t tried to open up to her about something he was clearly struggling with, but she never shied away from a challenge and she wasn’t about to start now.
“Yeah, I have,” she said and then gave him a serious look. “Have you?”
“Have I what?”
“Considered sending out resumes?”
Brows furrowed, he asked, “Why would I do that? I have my choice of at least a half-dozen different positions within Blackthorne that I can have if I want.”
“Is there one you want?”
“Piper, we were talking about you…”
“And now we’re talking about you.”
His frown deepened and he raked a hand through his dark hair with frustration. “Piper…”
“Logan,” she mimicked.
“You wouldn’t understand, okay?” he snapped.
And yeah, again, it would have been easy to simply let him change the subject. But now she was even more curious to find out what he was talking about.
“Need I remind you that you were the one pushing for us to have lunch together? And how you were also the one who was all about us catching up on each other’s lives? Well, this is part of it, buddy! If I’m going to sit here and tell you all about me, I’m going to expect you to do the same. Now we can sit here and banter back and forth and you can try to pick and choose what it is you want to talk about, but you brought up the whole not-being-passionate-about-your-career thing. I’m just trying to figure out what the hell that means. But if you can’t do that–if you can’t have an honest conversation with me–then maybe we should pack up the food and you can take me home.”
Her heart was beating like mad and she knew she was throwing a lot at him, but she didn’t care. She had a feeling most women didn’t push Logan Blackthorne–or anyone for that matter–but Piper wasn’t one to pull any punches. If they were friends like he claimed they were, then that meant they should be able to talk about anything.
Whether they liked it or not.
It was hard to say how much time passed before he finally spoke.
“My whole life I’ve known I was going to work for Blackthorne.”
“O-kay…”
“It wasn’t a choice. For as long as I can remember, I was told it was what I was going to do.”
“Oh.”
“Everyone’s on my case to make a decision about where I want to be–where I want to make my home base, so to speak.�
��
She waited and saw him swallow hard.
“And do you know where that is?”
“I know this is going to sound arrogant, but…I want it all. I want to run it all.”
“You mean take your father’s place when he retires,” she clarified.
“Yes.”
“Okay, so then why not just say that–you know, to your father and to whoever else is badgering you?”
“Because it’s not that simple. My brother Trey has been groomed for the position since birth. It’s his right.”
“Is that what he wants?”
“Doesn’t really matter. That’s the way it is.” He paused. “And if it doesn’t go to him, there are more than enough brothers and cousins who would be considered long before I would.”
It would be foolish to pretend she didn’t know what he was talking about. “And there’s nothing else you’d rather do? Like outside of Blackthorne?”
“Like what?”
“Like anything, Logan! Just because you share the name of the company doesn’t mean that’s all there is for you out there!”
“Try telling my father that,” he murmured and then began clearing away their lunch mess. Placing a hand over his to stop him, Piper waited until his eyes met hers.
“Can I ask you something?”
He nodded.
“Are you sure that’s what you want? What you really want–to run all of Blackthorne?” When he didn’t immediately respond, she said, “Because it seems to me you’re saying you want it even as you’re saying why it’s never going to happen. Are you sure you’re not just telling yourself it’s what you want as a way of…I don’t know…maybe taking the attention away from the fact that you want something else? Something not Blackthorne-related? It could be why you lack focus in figuring out what you want.”
Pulling his hand from hers, he stood and finished cleaning up.
“Logan…”
“Come on,” he said gruffly. “I’ll take you home. I’ve got some calls to make for the Vault this afternoon that I forgot about.”
She wanted to remind him–again–that this is what friends did. They talked–sometimes about uncomfortable things–but she realized she pushed enough for one day.
Or maybe for all the days.
As she watched him gather up the plates, containers, and the tablecloth, she wondered if he had anyone he could talk to about this. Then she wanted to smack herself. Of course he had a ton of friends and family. He was a Blackthorne.
It wasn’t until they were back in his car that she spoke.
“I’m sorry,” Piper said softly. “I shouldn’t have pushed.”
He shrugged as he pulled out of the parking spot. “It’s not a big deal. I’m used to everyone analyzing me and telling me why I should be doing more with my life. Don’t see why you’d be any different.”
And that’s when she realized she’d hurt him–not intentionally, but hurt him just the same.
Once he dropped her off and she watched him drive away, Piper told herself she’d make it up to him and already had the perfect plan in her head.
4
“What kind of gaming system do you have?”
“What?”
“You know, at home. What system do you have?” Piper asked at closing time. All night she and Logan had talked and bantered but it was never anything personal–everything was professional and work-related, but light.
“At the estate we have several–Xbox and Playstation,” he said. “Why?”
“Are you staying at the estate? Because I thought you had a place in town.”
“Yeah, I have a small place not far from here. There were so many people coming and going at the house that I felt like I needed a place of my own where I could go and not have to run into my family every time I walk into a room.” It was said with a small laugh but she had to imagine it would be hard to never really be alone.
“So? Do you have a game system there?”
He nodded as he wiped down the bar. “Xbox. Why?”
“Well, I was wondering if you were up for hanging out for a bit once we finish up here and I thought I’d check out your gaming skills.” When she thought up the idea earlier, it seemed like the ideal way for them to hang out and get to know each other a bit. She found you could really get to know someone while playing a game. The urge to see how competitive he was and what kind of games he tended to play intrigued her. “So, what do you say?”
“You want to hang out and play video games,” he said. “Like…you’re being serious.”
“Of course. Why? What’s the big deal?”
“Piper, after everything that happened at lunch…”
“Let’s just forget about that. I pushed when I shouldn’t have and I’m sorry. Come on. I’m not as tired as I was last night and I thought I could talk to you some more about what I do. One of the best ways to explain it is while playing other games. I can show you where I get inspiration or how certain effects are created.” She paused and gave him a sincere smile. “Unless you’re not good at playing. There’s no shame in that. I just thought maybe we could grab some snacks and just…you know…hang out.”
“Wait…did you…?” He stopped and tossed the rag he was using aside. “I happen to be very good at a lot of video games.”
“Okay,” she said casually. “Good for you. How are you at shooter games? You know, like combat, simulator, and stealth ones?”
“Really good.”
She made a non-committal sound. “And action games? You know, like the superhero ones or sports games?”
“Those I excel at.”
“Hmm…and puzzles?”
“Not a fan.”
“Good to know.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means we have options, that’s all. You got an extra controller or should I go home and grab one?”
“I can’t believe this is really what you want to do after work,” he said with a small laugh. “We could just hang out and talk or watch some TV.”
She shrugged. “I guess. I mean…if you’re too scared to play against me, I’d completely understand. Most people can’t beat me.”
One dark brow arched at her and Piper thought it was quite possibly the sexiest thing she’d ever seen. She knew she was treading into dangerous territory here. As much as she was trying to make up for the way things had gone earlier, she knew spending time alone with Logan wasn’t simply about catching up with an old friend. There was a very real chance she was going to find herself being even more drawn to him than she already was.
Who was she kidding? Even working with him was going to carry that threat. Logan Blackthorne was just that handsome, that sexy, and that charming. He always had been and, apparently, always would be.
She sighed.
“That sounds like a dare, Piper.” Both his tone and his expression were teasing and it took her a moment to realize her mind had wandered.
“Maybe it is,” she replied with a smile of her own.
“Well, you know there isn’t a Blackthorne alive who can turn down a dare. We are competitive by nature.” He stepped out from behind the bar and came to stand in front of her. “I’m going to go raid the kitchen for some snacks while you finish doing whatever it is you need to. We’ll meet out back in fifteen. Will that work for you?”
Okay, this totally moved a lot faster than she thought it would, but now that it was out there, there was no way she could change her mind.
“Absolutely!” And with a wave, she quickly went about finishing the task of wiping down tables and taking trays of dirty glasses back to the kitchen. It wasn’t until she was in the break room and taking off her apron that she began to feel a little self-conscious–like maybe this wasn’t such a great idea. She was dressed in her work uniform and felt a little sweaty from running around all night. Looking at the clock, she saw it was already after one in the morning. There was no way she could go home, shower, change and then go to his place. With a sigh of
resignation, she grabbed her purse and walked out to the parking lot.
Much like he had earlier, Logan walked over to his car carrying an extra-large bag. He placed it on the back seat before turning and walking over to her.
“Please tell me that’s not all just snacks for us,” she said with a nervous laugh.
“Not entirely. I also grabbed a large container of bisque to bring over to Nana tomorrow. She loves it but she never comes in to have it. I try to remember to bring her some whenever I’m here.”
“Sounds like Fiona.” She glanced toward his car again. “But that still looked like an awfully big bag.”
“I noticed you didn’t take a break again and therefore didn’t eat dinner. Neither did I so I snagged us some corn chowder and a couple of sandwiches, some chips, and a couple of slices of the chocolate pie for dessert. Hope that’s okay.”
“Okay? Logan, if I keep eating like this in the middle of the night, I’m going to need a new wardrobe because nothing will fit!” She said it with a laugh but in the back of her mind, Piper knew it was a very real possibility.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he said softly as he grasped her shoulders and turned her toward her car. “My place is literally three minutes away so we can be eating in five if we’re lucky.” He walked over to his car and called out the address. “Or you can just follow me.”
“That works!” It wasn’t like there was traffic at this time of night. If anything, they had the streets to themselves and–just like he said–they were pulling into the parking lot of his complex three minutes later.
These were a row of old factories that were turned into condos and lofts a couple of years ago. Piper remembered her father telling her about them because it was a big deal for the town to convert them after they had been abandoned for so long. She was incredibly curious about what they looked like inside.
As she stepped out of her car, Logan was standing there waiting for her and when he took her hand in his, she didn’t even question it.
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