“Yes, did you ask nicely?” Logan echoed.
Jeni scowled.
“How about this?” Logan said. “I’ll buy you lunch another day. You name the day and place, and you can order whatever you want. Will that make up for it? Andrew, you can come too.”
Andrew regarded his sister with a raised eyebrow and took a swig of his beer.
Jeni seemed to consider that for a moment, taking a long sip of her own beverage. “No, thanks. Looked like you already picked up a date at the bar for this week anyway.”
Logan wasn’t sure which part of that sentence disarmed him more—her reference to his friendly offer as a ‘date’ or the fact that she’d noticed him speaking to the woman at the bar.
“Not so fast, I’ll take a free lunch,” Andrew said.
“Only if Jeni comes,” Logan said. “I don’t need to woo you, man. She’s the one who doesn’t like me, and you know how much I hate that.”
Andrew nodded. “It’s weirding me out. And also kind of refreshing.”
“What is?” Jeni asked.
“The fact that you’re a woman and you don’t seem to be a fan of Logan. Ladies usually love this guy.” Andrew chuckled wryly. “He’s a great wingman.”
“Gross,” Jeni said.
“I’m here for you buddy,” Logan said, and Andrew laughed again.
Jeni scrunched her nose. “Seriously, stop talking about picking up women with my brother.”
“Fine. So, lunch then?”
“I’ll think about it.”
Logan shrugged and took a long drink of the smooth, dark beer, eyeing Jeni as she did the same.
Andrew looked at Logan. “You’ll have to excuse my sister. We grew up in a small town where we knew everything and everyone. She hasn’t had to make new friends in a while, and I think she’s forgotten how.” Jeni set her glass down and opened her mouth to object, but Andrew kept going. “You’re my two favorite people in Kansas City, so I hope you can start over and get along.”
“Favorite? Really? Wow, thanks, man,” Logan said with a sincere nod of gratitude.
“Of course I’m your favorite,” Jeni said. “I’m the only member of our family you can stand to be around for more than ten minutes.”
“That sentiment runs both ways,” Andrew shot back. “Don’t even try and deny it.”
Logan waited a moment to make sure this sibling confrontation was complete before he once again held his hand out to Jeni. “He’s right. Let’s try this again. Fresh start?”
Jeni regarded his hand, and just when he thought she would refuse him a second time, reached up and shook it firmly. “Okay.”
The table was silent for a moment before Andrew spoke again. “Before Logan got here, you were about to tell me about something that happened at work this afternoon.”
Jeni’s face turned downcast for a moment. Then she straightened, and her expression shuttered. “You know. The usual drama—stoned parent, two toddlers roaming their neighborhood alone in a rough part of town. Couldn’t find a foster family with beds together, so they had to be separated.”
Logan’s breath caught in his throat, and the blood drained from his face.
Usual drama.
Stoned parent.
Couldn’t find a foster family.
He swallowed thickly while Jeni continued.