***
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, amazed at how different I looked in my midnight blue silk dress and flowing locks. I had brushed my hair to a shining luster and my eyes sparkled as I took in my appearance. I stared at the blatant red on my lips and swallowed hard. I looked like a seductress or vixen, and I wasn’t sure what my dad or Logan was going to say. I was hoping Logan would be blown away by my appearance. That he would stare at me and think I was the most beautiful woman in the world.
“Maddison, guests are starting to arrive.” My mother stopped by my room and peered in. “You look beautiful, my darling.”
“Thank you, Mom.” I smiled at her gratefully.
She kissed my cheek. “I love the woman you are becoming, Maddison Wright.” She ran her fingers across my cheek. “You are beautiful and strong and caring. Don’t ever let anyone make you change, you hear me?”
“Yes, Mom.” I tried not to roll my eyes at her, and she laughed.
“I’m excited to meet Logan.” Her eyes saddened. “I heard he has mother’s eyes.”
“He’s gorgeous, Mom,” I paused. “I think I love him. I mean I know I love him. He’s the most wonderful man.”
“Just remember what we decided.” She smiled at me widely. “I think tomorrow will be a lot better, it will just be the four of us, and it will mean a lot more.”
“I know, Mom.” I nodded in agreement. “I put a note on Logan’s invite so he knows as well.”
“Good.” She pulled my hand. “Now go downstairs and greet your guests.”
“Yes, Mom.” I ran down the stairs to see who had arrived and laughed at my disappointment when I realized Logan wasn’t one of the first to arrive. I walked over to Lucy and some other girls I knew from the neighborhood and grinned to myself as I remembered I wasn’t wearing any underwear. These girls had no idea that I was dating Logan and that he was hands-down the best lover I had ever had in my life. Add to that, he was the nicest, most sincere, and most generous man I had ever met.
“Hey, Maddison.” Lucy looked up at me with wide eyes. “Wow, you look hot. Who are you expecting to show up—Bradley Cooper? Ha, ha, ha.”
“No, silly. I just wanted to dress up.”
“Celebrate your last weeks of freedom before school starts back?” She laughed.
I groaned. “Don’t remind me, I’ve got to write my thesis this semester. It’s going to be killer.”
“I’ve got to take the GREs,” she whined. “I really need to take a refresher course in math because I have no clue how to do half of those problems.”
“Which ones?” I asked, slightly distracted. I couldn’t keep my mind off of Logan, and I was having a hard time reining my excitement in.
“Fractions, algebra, stats.” Lucy laughed. “If it’s slightly related to math, then I need help.”
“Oh, Lucy.” I laughed at my friend. I had no idea how she had gotten admitted to Dartmouth with her intellect, but I supposed it didn’t hurt that her father had connections and a lot of money to donate. The doorbell rang again, and I froze as the hairs on my arms stood up. Intuitively, I knew that Logan had arrived and my heart started beating fast. “Excuse me, girls, let me go get that.” I walked away from the group quickly, without waiting for an answer. I groaned as I saw my dad walking to the front door from the other side of the room. This wasn’t good. I didn’t want my dad to be the first person Logan saw as he walked into my house.
“Maddison, darling, you look beautiful.” My father walked over and gave me a big hug. “You look like a woman and not my daughter.” He sighed and shook his head. “Where did the time go?”
“Well, I’m a woman now, Dad.” I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath as he opened the door. It was like I was watching a movie, and I noticed my dad’s nostrils flaring as he saw who was on the other side of the door.
“May I help you?” His voice was polite, but I could hear the hint of a threat in his tone.
“I’m here for Maddie’s party.” Logan’s tone was smooth as silk, and my heart skipped a beat as I heard his voice.
“And you are?” My dad’s voice was slow, but we all knew his question was a farce. I could tell from the arch of his back that he was very much aware that this was Logan Martelli at his front door.
“Dad, don’t be silly.” I pushed past him. “Let my guest in.” I gave Logan a huge smile. “I’m glad you were able to make it.” His eyes looked slightly confused as he looked at me, but I turned to my father quickly, wanting to get Logan away from him as quickly as possible.
“Dad, this is my friend Logan. Logan, this is my dad.” I introduced them to each other, and they stared at each other for a moment before shaking hands.
“Come in, Logan.” I ushered him inside and frowned as I noticed the hurt and slightly angry look in his eyes.
“Logan, is it?” Dad looked him up and down and paused. “Are you new to town?”
“No.” He shook his head. “My brothers and I were born and raised in River Valley.”
“Oh?” My dad raised his eyebrow. “Do I know your parents?”
“I think so.” Logan smiled bitterly. “I think you were pretty good friends with my dad.”
“What’s the name?” My dad pretended to be interested, but I saw his eyes narrow as he controlled his breathing. I was glad that I had told him that Logan was my friend and not my boyfriend. I wasn’t sure what would have happened.
“Martelli.” Logan’s tone was deadly as he stared at my father.
I touched his arm lightly. “Logan, let me introduce you to some of my other friends.”
“Yes, you should do that, Maddie.” My dad smiled at me. “Maybe one of the girls here will take a liking to your new friend.”
“Yeah.” I nodded and gave him a weak smile. Logan reached over to grab my hand, and I walked away from him quickly. I didn’t want my dad to see any physical contact between us. “Logan, have you met Lucy, Marie, and Joanna?” I turned to him with a smile, and his eyes looked at me vacantly. He was standing stiffly, and I frowned at him.
“No, but it’s a pleasure to meet you all.” He gave them all a sexy smile and kissed each of their hands. “I haven’t seen women as beautiful as you in a long time.” I noticed Lucy’s face reddening, and I tried to smile at her, even though I was upset that Logan was being so friendly to them.