BWWM Interracial Romance 3: Family Heart by Elena Brown Page B

in that sweet, affectionate voice, soothing and calming her. But at the last moment her hand faltered. He wouldn’t ask her any questions, he wouldn’t make any demands of her, but Jessica knew that her feelings would persist. She wouldn’t be able to stay soothed and comfortable all night—she’d wonder why he wasn’t saying anything. Jessica pulled the blankets on her bed over her head, and buried her face against the pillow. She would have to get through her pain and misery on her own; it wasn’t fair to subject Logan to her mental state.
     
    Rosanna was true to her word; she had a cold beer and Logan’s favorite chicken and rice casserole waiting for him when he arrived at her house. “I wouldn’t think you’d be suffering from loneliness,” he’d said as he started in on dinner, his mind fleetingly wondering what he might be having for dinner if Jessica hadn’t canceled their date. Rosanna shrugged.
    “It’s not as easy as I thought to get a boyfriend. Guess I’m getting old.” She sat down and scooped some of the casserole onto a plate, picking at it while she took a sip of her beer. “Ever since that asshole and I broke up, it’s been slim pickings.” Logan smiled ruefully.
    “You really thought it would be easy?” Rosanna shrugged.
    “Hey, I’m cute. I figured it shouldn’t be that hard to get a guy into me.” Logan chuckled, taking a swallow of beer to cool the still-hot casserole in his mouth.
    “It isn’t just about cute, you know.” Rosanna nodded slowly.
    “I know,” She sighed. “I just never thought I’d end up lonely after everything. You know, I really thought it would work out great with that asshole. It was a big mistake. The worst mistake of my life.” Rosanna looked at him steadily. “I threw away everything. And for what?” Logan shrugged.
    “My understanding was that you threw it away because—what was his name?—Jaxon made you feel exciting and sexy, unlike me.” Rosanna smiled wryly.
    “I was going through a phase. I get that now. It was just a lot to deal with—working, being a mom… I felt like I had settled down too soon.” Logan took another bite of casserole and chewed it meditatively. “I know I was wrong from beginning to end. I get it now.” Rosanna paused and sighed. “Let’s change the subject. What’s been going on at work lately?”
    After they’d both eaten their fill of the casserole, Logan and Rosanna each grabbed another beer and adjourned to the living room, talking about what was going on in their lives, telling stories about their separate times with Zachary. It was oddly comfortable, Logan thought as the beer made him sleepy. Rosanna wasn’t the way that she had been when they had broken up—she was softer. And the fact that she was willing to admit that she’d made a mistake in ruining their marriage had to mean that she was changing—didn’t it? Logan told himself firmly not to get his hopes up. Rosanna had fired the first shots, but he knew well enough that there were deeper problems in their marriage, that her cheating had only been a symptom—not the sole cause of their divorce. But it was refreshing to see her acting like the woman he had fallen in love with: funny, carefree, and happy to be around him. Not blaming him for being a few minutes late to drop Zachary off, or rolling her eyes at him over something he was excited about.
    Time got away from him, and before Logan knew it, it was close to midnight. “I’d better head for home,” he said, stretching against tight muscles in his back and shoulders. “My parents will be dropping Zac off early in the morning.” Rosanna reached out and grabbed his hand, stopping him just as he was about to stand up.
    “You don’t have to go,” she said, looking at him with hope and guilt in her pale eyes. “You could stay here—besides, you’ve been drinking and you’re tired, it’s not safe.” Logan sighed, realizing that—although he wasn’t drunk—he was probably