“I like Logan too,” Jax says. “Say goodnight, Meredith.”

“Goodnight, Meredith,” Mark says with a laugh.

“Goodnight, Meredith,” I reply and giggle again. “Love you, handsome.”

“Love you too,” they both say at the same time.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, baby.” Mark hangs up and I toss my phone to the foot of the bed.

“So, if Logan is staking a claim on sleeping privileges, he’s definitely your boyfriend.”

“He wants to invite you and Mark out to dinner with us this weekend.”

“Wow! Okay! How fun!” I grin and kiss Jax’s cheek. “We’ve never been on a double date before. Show me the picture.”

He finds a photo on his phone and shows it to me. A smiling, brown-haired man is staring back at me. He has a scruffy face, but it suits him. His teeth are just a bit crooked on the bottom, and his eyes are green and kind. He’s wearing a red beanie and black thick-rimmed glasses.

“Hello, Mr. Hottie Lovey Pants.”

“Right?” He takes the phone back and stares at Logan’s photo for a long minute before shutting it down and setting it aside. “He’s seriously hot.”

“What does he do?”

“He’s an architect.” His eyes light up with pride as he thinks about Logan. “You should see some of the buildings he’s designed.”

“He and Mark will have something to talk about.”

Jax nods and yawns. “I feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

“Why?”

“Come on, Mer. You know my history with men. It’s not exactly what romance novels are made of.”

“Me neither,” I reply with a shrug. “But that doesn’t mean we don’t deserve that. You deserve to be happy with a hot guy who’s kind and loves you.”

“No one said anything about love,” he replies quickly.

“Whatever. You know what I mean.”

He grows quiet, lost in his own thoughts and I leave him be, enjoying this quiet time with him. I admit, I’ve missed him too. I’ve spent every night this week with Mark, and while it’s been pure bliss every night, I can’t forget that my relationship with Jax is important too.

“I think I’m just going to take things with Logan day by day and see what happens,” Jax finally murmurs.

“I think that’s a good idea.”

He nods. It’s hard for Jax to trust, so the fact that he’s willing to try with Logan means the man must be very special.

“I’m sleepy,” I whisper.

“I’ll go to bed.” He slips out from under me and kisses my cheek. “I love you, moon pie.”

“I love you too, best friend.”

***

“You’re trying to kill me.” My chest is heaving as I try to drag air into my lungs, glaring up at Jax from the floor. I’m on my ass after falling during rehearsal.

“You’re sloppy today,” he replies, his voice hard.

“I am not. Starla can’t do moves like this, Jax. She’s a singer, not a dancer.”

“She’ll do it.”

“I’m telling you, she can’t. I haven’t landed that throw once and we’ve done it two dozen times.”

“Let’s do it a dozen more.”

“Fuck you. It’s not your ass that’s getting bruised.” I stand and plant my hands on my hips as I glare at him. This is why he’s the best. He’s so fucking stubborn, he’ll hammer this over and over again until I stick it, just the same way he’ll do with Starla.

“You’re fine. Let’s do it again.”

“I need a break.” I walk to the desk and guzzle some water as I check my phone. There’s a text from Mark.

Can’t meet this morning. Trouble at job site. Will pick you up tonight.

Great. I’m already in a pissy mood, and I was looking forward to seeing Mark. I saw him twenty-four hours ago, but I miss him.

I’m pathetic.

“Problem?”

“Yeah, my ass hurts.” I scowl at Jax and type a message to Mark.

No worries. See you later.

“God you’re whiny today,” Jax says and resets the music. “Let’s do this.”

We move through the routine again. It’s an excellent routine. Fun to dance, but when we get to the lift and the throw, I fall again.

“Mother fucker!” I yell and pound the floor with my fist.

“Okay, you’re overthinking it. Let’s run through it one more time without the lift and call it good.”

I nod and take a deep breath, then dance the routine with Jax, satisfied that besides that evil lift, we’re ready for LA next week.

When we’re done, there’s a knock on the glass door. I whip around, hopeful that it’s Mark, but it’s Nic, Matt Montgomery’s girlfriend, standing at the door with a wide smile. I jog over and open the door.

“That was amazing,” she says and steps inside. “I was at a Starla concert a couple years ago and remember seeing you guys.”

“Thanks,” I reply and glance down at the white box with red bow in her hands. “What can we do for you?”

“Oh! Mark called me this morning and said that he was supposed to bring you coffee but he can’t make it, so he asked if I’d bring you some cupcakes instead. I own Succulent Sweets, the bakery just a few blocks over.”