I glanced over at the cabdriver, but he didn’t appear to paying much attention to us. “It’s silly.”

“You said that already.”

Heeding the warning in his impatient tone, I blurted out, “I feel like people are staring at us and wondering why the hell you’re with me.”

Logan stared at me in shock. “Fuck,” he bit out, the muscle in his jaw twitching. “Your mother really did a number on you, didn’t she?”

I flinched at the reminder. “I said I’m working on it.”

“I’ve changed my mind, mate,” Logan suddenly said loudly to the driver. “The Caffeine Drip.”

“I love that place,” I murmured.

“I know.” He took my hand in his, his grip tight, possessive. “And when we go in there, I want you to think of one thing.” He bent his head, his lips inches from mine. “When I walk anywhere with your hand in mine, I’m proud as fuck that a woman like you is with me.”

I felt the sting of tears in my eyes and nose. “I kind of like you, Logan MacLeod.”

His grin was wicked and slow. “You kind of more than like me, Miss Grace Farquhar.”

I tutted. “You really are far too cocky for your own good.”

His breath whispered hot across my ear. “You kind of more than like my cock… iness.”

I blushed and swatted him away, but he only pulled me closer into his chest so I could feel his laughter against me.

CHAPTER 24

“It looks busy, guys,” Maia said as we approached D’Alessandro’s a week later.

“It’s a Saturday, but we’ll be fine. I booked the table a few weeks ago,” I lied, as Logan and I lured her into the restaurant under the pretense that we were having a quiet birthday dinner together.

Logan pulled open the door. “Ladies first.”

Maia stepped into the restaurant wearing one of the slogan T-shirts I’d bought her and the skinny jeans. I’d managed to talk her into wearing some jewelry and a pair of heeled boots to dress it up a little, and I’d insisted on putting waves in her hair. She looked so pretty. And so not aware of what lay before her!

I felt like a big kid, giddy for her reaction.

“Ah, Logan, Grace.” Marco’s uncle Gio greeted us from behind the host’s desk, having apparently been waiting for us himself.

A few days ago I’d met with Gio and his wife, Gabby, to give them the decorations and work out logistics for Maia’s party. They’d very kindly rented out the back room of the restaurant to us at a crazily discounted price.

“And this must be Maia?” He held out his hand.

Maia shook it, seeming bemused by the attention of the owner of D’Alessandro’s.

“Come, come. I’ll show you to your table.” His eyes twinkled with mischief.

We followed him through the front room and down a narrow hall that immediately opened up into a large room.

“Surprise!”

Maia jolted to a halt at the cries of our new friends and her new family. All of the girls were there with their partners and kids, as promised, and Ellie’s mum and dad were there, too, along with Jo’s boss and Olivia’s dad, Mick, and his wife, Dee.

The children were jumping up and down with excitement as Maia stared around the room in shock.

Streamers hung from the ceiling and every nook and cranny. A massive silver banner printed with HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN, MAIA was draped along the back wall. Tables were set up around one half of the room, a large buffet of food on one of them, a stack of presents on another. As discussed, we had a projector on the wall adjacent to the banner wall, and at that moment pictures of Maia with all of us were flicking on a slide show. We had a couple of Pixar movies to put on it later to occupy the younger children. Chairs and beanbags were placed in front of it for the kids.

“Oh my God,” Maia whispered.

Logan put his arm around her and pulled her in to his side. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”

She looked up at him in teary-eyed awe. “Dad…”

He kissed her forehead. “Grace and the girls put this together for you.”

“But it was your dad’s idea,” I added.

“I don’t know what to say.”

Before we could reply, an older couple stepped out from the group, followed by a woman who didn’t look that much older than me. She had dark hair and pretty features that reminded me of Shannon.

I knew immediately who they were.

“Maia.” Logan put his hand on her back and led her forward. “This is my mum and dad and my other sister, Amanda.”

Not wanting to intrude, I skirted around them and strode into the room with Gio at my side, trying, unsuccessfully, not to worry about Maia. “The place looks great,” I said. “Thank you again.”

“No need. We’re happy to host it. Marco’s told us all about Maia and Logan. He’s doing a good job in a tough situation.” I watched Gio walk over to Marco and Hannah, wondering if Logan realized how much people admired and respected him.

Before I could muse too long over the question, Shannon came forward to hug me.

When she pulled back, her brow was wrinkled with worry. “The place looks great.”

“She said with a frown,” I teased.

She nodded her chin in the direction behind me. “They’ve barely said two words to me and Cole.”

“Why? I thought you had worked out your issues.”

Shannon sighed. “A few months ago I asked Logan to walk me down the aisle. Logan asked me to discuss it with Dad first, and of course Mum and Dad fell out with me. And then the whole Maia situation blew up.”