I have some time to kill before work, so I decide to go shopping. I still can't believe Dad is going to Mary's place since he rarely goes out these days, but the thought of him opening up a little is enough to lift my mood.

As I go from shop to shop, I try to convince myself that I'm not buying a new summer dress because of my non-date with Logan today, but who am I kidding? I can't stop thinking about him.

When I get to work, Meg comes rushing towards me. "Livy, he is here."

"Who is here?" I put on my apron, and she holds my shoulder.

"Didn't you pay attention to me at all yesterday? Mr. Lane's grandson is here. Apparently, he wants a meeting with all his employees."

"A meeting? That's weird! What does he have to say?"

"I think he wants to introduce himself properly, get to know us. I don't know." She shrugs, but my mind is already racing.

"I hope everything is ok with the restaurant-"

"I see you already heard the news." Laura barges in, startling us.

"Yeah, Meg was saying Mr. Lane is here and wants a meeting with us." I study her eyes, trying to understand what is going on.

"You are all expected in the break room in five minutes," she says, her tone even more bitchy than usual.

"All right," Meg answers, and Laura looks at us as if she's going to say something else but ends up leaving without a word.

"That was weird." I let out a sigh.

"When isn't she weird?" Meg rolls her eyes and we both snort as we head to the offices.

Everybody is already gathered, and Mark comes our way as soon as he sees us. "Hey girls," he says it looking at me, and Meg smirks as she starts messing with her phone. "Are we good, gorgeous?" he whispers in my ear.

"Of course we are." I smile, giving him a small hug, and suddenly, I feel someone elbowing me. I frown and then realize Meg is trying to call my attention.

When I turn to the front of the room, my eyes meet Logan's and I gasp. What the hell is he doing here? He looks at me intensely, his expression hard to decipher, but I honestly don't understand what's happening.

It's only when I look back at Meg and see her eyes are fixed on him that it finally hits me. Oh my God! Logan is Mr. Lane's grandson!

Laura looks from him to me and her face hardens. Clearing her throat, she starts, "Ok, everyone, I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Logan Lane. As you know, he inherited D'angelo some years ago, but he couldn't come here until now. He would like to introduce himself and get to know you better."

He turns his attention to Laura, giving her an affectionate smile, and my heart squeezes when I realize they must be close.

"Hello, I'm Logan Lane, but please call me Logan. As Laura was saying, I inherited the restaurant when my grandparents died, but I was never really able to come here before now. I trust Laura completely and as usual, she has never let me down," he says, and she smiles shyly at him.

Since when does Laura do anything shyly, and why can't I stand the thought of them being close?

I realize I'm frowning when Logan continues, "I'm going to be here for an indefinite amount of time and expect to know you all better. Things are not changing, Laura is still in charge but I'm here if you need anything," he says, then turns to me. "Well, I'd like to hear a little bit about yourselves."

I look down, completely at a loss, and Meg eagerly starts introducing herself. I'm the last one to talk and I don't know what to say. I had expected to know Logan better tonight under very different circumstances, but I realize it doesn't matter anymore.

"I'm Olivia. I'm twenty-four and I've been working here for about two years now. And uh... I guess that's it about me." I know I sound stupid but I'm so frustrated Logan is my boss that I can't really think straight.

"Are you happy working here?" Logan asks.

"Yeah, D'Angelo is a great place to work. This job is very important to me." I look from him to Laura, and her eyes are sending daggers towards me.

Is she jealous? What the heck?

"I see." I feel his eyes on me, but I don't look back.

"Logan, we have a meeting in ten minutes, I think we should let them go back to work now." She touches his arm slightly, and I look into his eyes. He is still staring at me and doesn't seem to mind her touch.

Yeah, guess I'm the jealous one. Great!

"Of course." He smiles politely. "It was a pleasure to meet you guys. Like I told you, I'm just here to check things over and Laura is still the one in charge. Have a nice day of work," he adds before leaving the room.

Everybody goes back to work and Meg looks like she might pass out any minute now. "What the hell was that staring contest between you and Mr. Lane?" She touches my arm, and I just shrug.

"I don't know what you are talking about," I murmur and go back to work.

I'm so anxious during the rest of my shift that it feels like I'm going to throw up any time I look in the direction of his office. I expected Logan to text me or call me again, but so far I hadn't heard anything from him.

Maybe he doesn't want to meet me later and is embarrassed to tell me. Argh! Why the hell do I care? He is just a guy and it's not like I would allow something more to happen between us.

When my shift is over, I'm more than ready to go home and sleep the day off, but as I approach the parking lot, I'm startled to see him standing by my car.

"What are you doing here?" I stop in front of him, looking inside my bag for my keys.

"We're heading to the beach later. I thought it would be easier if we went together," he says as if there is nothing wrong with him being my boss.

"Well, I won't be able to go," I say, moving to open my car.

"And why is that? Will you meet your boyfriend later?" He blocks my way.

"I don't do boyfriends." I look deeply into his eyes and I see how much I surprised him.

"Aren't you and the cook together?"

It takes me some time to understand he is talking about Mark, and it pisses me off the way he talks about his profession. "Firstly, he is a Chef and a very good one. Second, it's none of your business."

He seems taken aback by my tone, but I'm just too frustrated to care. "You're right, sorry. Do you like him?"

"Not like that." I close my eyes for a second when I feel my face getting hot.

"Ok. Good. I'd really like my friendly date, then." He smirks, and I roll my eyes.

Right!

"Look, Logan, I know I said we should be friends, but I really think this is not going to work. You're my boss... People will start talking and I can't lose my job, okay?" I try to explain, not really meeting his eyes now.

"I would never fire you because you are my friend. It doesn't even make sense, Olivia." He holds my chin so I can look at him.

"I'm sorry. I can't." I close my eyes because the sincerity I see in his is about to make me reconsider going out with him today. "Please let me go," I ask softly.

He takes a step back and I open my door, but as soon as I turn the ignition on, the car doesn't start. I try again for about ten times and I can feel Logan's eyes on me the whole time. I don't dare to look back at him, though.

"Let me drive you home, Olivia," he says gently. "No funny business, I promise," he insists, and I don't have to look to see that freaking smirk back on his face.

I sigh and look into his eyes. "How do I know you are not a creep or a murderer?"

I know he is trying not to laugh, and it just annoys me more. "You can ask Laura for my references and you can also text a friend saying you're leaving with me. You know, so the police know who they should be looking for."

There's no way I'm talking to Laura about us, and I know he won't let it go, so I accept his offer. "Fine but be aware I carry pepper spray with me."

"Yes, ma'am." He opens my door and guides me to his car.

Too much for trying to get out of that friendly date.

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A/N: No funny business, right? *smirks*

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~ Celeste.