Logan dropped his chin and leveled a look at Bash. “You know, I didn’t expect a lecture today.”
“No, I imagine you didn’t. But I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. You have a lot to offer a woman.”
“Not a woman like Des.”
“Maybe not. And maybe if you see something you want, you should go after it and figure out how to make it work, no matter how hard it’s going to be. Nothing worth having is easy.”
“Now you sound like my dad.”
Bash laughed. “I always liked your dad, so I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“I think you’re spending too much time at the bar dispensing advice. It’s all going to your head and you’ve got a know-it-all complex going.”
“You think? How am I doing? Pretty good, huh?”
“You’re an ass**le.”
Bash nudged his shoulder against Logan’s. “Yeah, love you, too, buddy.”
DES HAD A wonderful day, and from the looks of things, so had her friends. Callie had her eye on the gorgeous Bash, who seemed to have no problem spending time with the beautiful Callie, even though she was only going to be in town for the day. The two of them disappeared for a while, and when they came back, Callie’s cheeks were pink and her hair was mussed up. Des grinned, making a mental note to ask Callie about that later.
“Having fun?” she asked Colt as they sat down and reconnected over some delicious coconut cream pie.
Colt nodded. “It’s a great day. Hot as hell, tons of people around, and my friends are here. What more could I ask for?”
“Oh, I think you could ask for more.”
Colt’s gaze gravitated over to the fences, where Sarah and Tony were engaged in deep conversation. “Yeah, well, if wishes were horses . . .”
“You could have everything you wanted, Colt. All you have to do is want it badly enough.”
“I want it, honey. More than you could know.”
Des’s gaze moved over the crowd and settled on Logan, surrounded by a group of guys. Some were the ranch hands, some were his friends, and there were a few more she hadn’t met yet. He seemed relaxed, even laughed a few times.
Several times during the day she’d looked up to find him watching her. She had to admit she didn’t mind that at all.
As if they had some kind of psychic bond, Logan averted his attention from the group of guys he was talking with, searching the crowd until his gaze settled on hers. His lips curved, and she felt the intensity of his look all the way down to her toes.
“Speaking of having something you want . . .” Colt said.
She sighed and clasped her hands together as she turned to face her friend. “I know. He really gets to me in ways I can’t explain.”
“You don’t have to explain anything. I understand chemistry.”
“I think it may be more than just chemistry and sexual attraction, Colt.”
“Are you developing feelings for Logan?”
“I’m trying not to. You know as well as I do that the two of us are worlds apart.”
Colt shrugged. “That doesn’t mean anything if you two are right together.”
“I just can’t see it working. He’s not looking for anything permanent, and I’m—”
“What? Restless? Unhappy?”
“How did you know?”
Colt slid his hand in hers. “Because I’m your best friend. I’ve known for a long time that career alone hasn’t been satisfying you. You’ve wanted something more.”
“Have I? Even I didn’t know that until recently. I love what I do, Colt.”
“So do I.” He looked over at Tony. “But at some point, we realize there has to be more to life than just working all the time.”
Had Des reached that point? She’d been working for seven years, hardly an eternity by anyone’s standards. But she’d done it mostly alone. She’d had on-and-off relationships, but nothing serious with anyone, certainly nothing that would make her question her needs and desires and what she wanted in the future.
Until now.
And what did that even mean, that she was looking at Logan differently from any other man she’d ever known?
It meant nothing, because as she’d told Colt, there could be no future with someone like him.
Mainly because she knew he’d never want a relationship with her, or with anyone else.
They were having fun with each other, not looking to tie each other up with anything permanent, and it was best she just leave it that way.
When it started to get dark, she wound her way back to Logan.
“Having a good time?” he asked.
“I’m having a great day. Thank you for letting us come here.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m glad you and your friends could spend the day with us.”
“You have a good family and amazing friends. I’ve never been so relaxed.”
He smiled. “Wait ’til you see the fireworks.”
“I’m looking forward to those.”
Colt and Tony and the others joined her, and Logan set them up with chairs near the fireworks area.
“Guard your eardrums,” Logan said with a wide grin. “I’ll be back later.”
He disappeared with Ben, Luke, and a few of the crew and started setting up what looked like an armament of fireworks. The crowd gathered close, everyone grabbing a seat. Living in a city, Des had gone to some fireworks shows, but had never been able to set them off herself.
She wriggled in her chair and looked over at Colt, who had finally gotten the chance to sit next to Tony. The two of them might not be able to hold hands, but at least they could share this together, and for that Des was glad.
When the first firework went off, Des’s eyes widened as the burst lit up the sky, the sound exploding like thunder. The crowd made sounds of approval, and so did she, as another followed right on its tail. Logan and his men kept the beautiful streamers coming one after another, from trailing sparklers to loud explosions of bright balls of color. For nearly a half hour, Des was treated to one of the best fireworks shows she’d ever seen, especially this close.
She had no idea what they’d spent on this spectacle, but it must have been a lot. Logan definitely knew how to entertain the town. At the end, everyone stood and applauded, then began to say their good-byes.