“Take that cruel, cutthroat mentality, and that still wouldn’t give you the entire picture of what he was like as a father. I’m sure there are people who thought we were lucky to have had him because we grew up in such wealth. I can’t speak for everyone, but I can tell you, I’d have rather grown up in a back alley covered in newspapers than in that house under him.”
Cori got up from her seat and carried her laptop over to sit next to him on the sofa. She didn’t say anything. There was no need. Logan’s words were clear.
“I’m sorry. From what I’ve gathered so far, James was a... difficult person.”
Logan chuckled at her choice of words. “Difficult would’ve been a blessing. Let’s just say he tried teaching us his value of human life. Thank God, it didn’t stick.” At least, we believe we’re better than him.
“What was it about him that hurt you the most?” Her voice was so soft and filled with compassion.
“I guess that’s the problem. I haven’t found anything that I liked or respected about him. So what hurts the most I’d say is just being his son. You’re not the first person who’s wanted a story, and I’m sure you won’t be the last. But I don’t think you’re here to learn what good my siblings and I have done. You, like everyone else, just want to know if we’re like him.” Logan searched her eyes as he asked, “Can you tell me you’re any different from them?”
She looked at her computer then back at him and shook her head. “I wish I could.”
Logan reached out and touched her cheek. “So do I.” He got up and said, “I agreed to start the interview today, but I never said when it would end. If you don’t mind, I’d rather we pick this up again tomorrow night, after I get off work and do my rounds at the hospital.”
Cori closed her laptop and walked him to the door. He could tell she didn’t want to do this tonight any more than he did. The problem was, once the interview ended, what would they have to hold them together? The attraction was undeniable, but once she learned how fucked up he was on the inside, she’d run. And she should.
He’d resisted kissing her goodnight, but it haunted him the entire ride home. It didn’t seem right. Not after the way he’d snatched her phone and spoken to her. Logan had never needed to watch or think about how he treated another person. All his connections outside the family were professional. Either they were colleagues, patients, or patients’ relatives. She fit in none of those categories, and he was struggling to figure out exactly what slot to put her in. Professional or personal? He wasn’t foolish enough to believe they could be both.