I received a goodbye text from Jax shortly after Oliver’s birthday.

Keep Logan from turning the little prince into a geek. He needs freedom. Make Caleb take him to the batting cage. He likes sports. Maybe hunting when older. Gonna miss that kid. Take care of em both. I’ll see u around sometime sister.

Sister? I smiled. Yeah, he was exactly what I’d imagined a brother would be like.

I replied instantly.

Come home and take him yourself. We miss u.

Nah, need some space. Got some shit to work out. Can’t screw off forever. Time to live a little. Maybe someday I’ll come back. He better have u knocked up by then.

Tears streamed down my cheeks. Was he really gone for good? I shook the thought from my head, typing feverishly.

How long does Logan have to fulfill that request?

Not sure. Take care. I mean that. Goodbye.

No! Come back and talk to Logan. Work through things. Don’t just run!

He didn’t reply after that.

I showed Logan the texts. He read over them, scoffed, then handed the phone back and left the room. He refused to discuss Jax, and I wasn’t sure if he was angrier that he’d slept with Natasha or that he’d abandoned Oliver when he needed him most. Whatever it was, I didn’t bring it up again. Part of me wondered if Jax was bluffing about leaving—that maybe he’d pop in out of nowhere.

Although that didn’t happen, in so many ways, life was bouncing back…only this time it was so much better. I had everything I’d always wanted: love, devotion. I had it all.

About three weeks after Oliver’s birthday, Natasha seemed to have fled back to where she’d come from. However, her apartment had been left as though she planned to return aside from a few scattered drawers, or so my mother informed us. She must’ve stopped by there before skipping town, and was in a hurry—for good reason.

It was for the best, and as long as she didn’t try to pop in and out of Oliver’s life, he was better with her being gone. She was a loose cannon I’d never trust. Not to mention the sheriff had a few questions for her.

“You going to hang that phone up and come finish this game, or do you forfeit?” Logan called from the living room.

Oliver’s voice followed. “She’s taking too long. That means she quits and it’s my turn.”

My smile widened. “Hilary, I have to go. I’m in the middle of Monopoly, and if I know Logan, he’ll be helping Oliver rob the bank.”

She laughed through the line. “That’s fine, I just wanted you to know and couldn’t wait until I saw you in person. I’ll see you at school Monday. Bye!”

“Bye.” I hung up, nearly prancing back to my boys and plopping down in front of the coffee table, where the board game was sprawled.

I raised a questioning brow at Oliver. “Do I need to do a recount in here before we proceed?” I waved my hand over the bank cash.

Oliver’s face reddened, and out slipped two five-hundred-dollar bills from his sleeve. “Daddy took some too!”

I held out my hand to collect his loot, then moved it to Logan, demanding he pay up. Logan chuckled. “Just wanted to see if you were still up to snuff as the banker after that call.”

“You heard?” A wide grin spread across my lips again.

“You screamed really loud,” Oliver deadpanned.

Logan’s chuckle grew. “You really did. So I take it they found out the sex.”

My head bobbed with unrestrained giddiness. “It’s a girl!” I blurted out. “Oh my God, they’re having a little girl. Just think of all the dresses and tiny shoes. Oh, and the pink!”

“I don’t like girls,” Oliver said, waiting impatiently for me to take my turn.

Logan’s eyes lit with amusement. “Just you wait.”

I shook my head, playing my turn before Oliver’s head burst from the way he was glaring at my stationary thimble.

Hilary and Caleb returned a week after the Natasha drama ended, and had been inseparable since. Caleb even purchased a stretch of property a few acres over from Logan. They’d be breaking ground in the spring, and judging by the blueprints Caleb had been designing himself, the house could potentially beat Logan’s in size.

Hilary wasn’t an open book on what had happened with Caleb, but made no effort to hide the enormous diamond on her finger. She flashed that thing around to every pedestrian on the street. She was happy, in love, and by end of summer would be a mother.

The next morning was the perfect start to any Sunday, and one I’d never forget. Logan and I made love in his bed throughout the night until the sun rose and we crashed from exhaustion.

After we’d slept only a few short hours, Oliver flew into the room and jumped on the mattress. Scout was at his side, barking while Oliver demanded pancakes.

I sat up and tugged Oliver down for a morning hug, giggling as my hand scrubbed through his hair. He hated when I did that.

Logan was on his stomach with eyes closed, but there was no way he’d slept through all the commotion. My suspicions were confirmed when the sheet that pooled around his hips shot up and he hauled it over my head, snagging my waist and dragging me back down.

Oliver began smacking Logan’s arm, demanding he let me go, calling out to Scout that he needed help saving the princess trapped by the evil wizard.

My hand flew to my mouth, stifling my giggles as Logan pinned me under him, slowly opening his deep blue eyes.

“You better let me up. I’ve got pancakes to make the little prince,” I said, stretching my arm down and swatting Logan’s perfect ass.

His head dipped, mouth forceful against mine in a searing kiss. Then he drew back, taking the blanket with him as he sat up on his knees.

“She’s all yours,” Logan told Oliver, who was on the end of the bed, ready to attack.

“That’s no fun,” Oliver said, climbing down and frowning at the lack of a battle.

“You can help me make the pancakes,” I offered, my feet hitting the floor before Logan could snatch me back.

That was all Oliver needed to hear. He took my hand and led me from the room in pursuit of the kitchen.

After breakfast, Logan and I took showers—separately. It was the only way we ever got out before all the hot water was gone.

When I stepped out of the bathroom into Logan’s room, I found him there. His hair was damp and he was dressed in only casual jeans, staring down at the phone in his hands.

“Everything all right?” I asked, drying my hair.

“Yeah,” he said, his voice monotone as he typed something then set the phone on the dresser. “That was Julia. Said she needed me to come over…an emergency at the house…and wants Oliver to come, too. Probably a mouse, knowing her.”

Instantly worried despite his cool demeanor, I grabbed a grey T-shirt from his drawer and handed it to him.

He tugged it on and took the socks I held out next, kissing my hand in the process.

“I love having you here,” he said, sitting to put them on.

“I know.” My lips quirked as I slipped into my robe.

Logan smirked at my cockiness then stood, fully dressed. “I’ll be back soon.”

I followed him downstairs, finding Oliver reading in the living room.

“We’re going to go see Aunt Julia,” Logan told him while I collected their coats.