Did he get hotter in the last three years?

My eyes raked his form. He must have taken his coat off as my eyes landed on the way his long sleeve shirt gripped his upper body. His arms seemed even bigger than when I last saw him. When I finally looked into his face I was surprised at the beard gracing his face.

Something about the beard made him look more....rugged and mature. I never knew how attractive a beard could look but as I looked at him I couldn't stop the thoughts of what it would feel like against my skin.

When I finally met his eyes I sucked in a breath. His brown eyes were already on me, the intensity of them making me flush. I knew he noticed me checking him out which just made my face feel hotter. Great he just caught me checking him out like a creep. I quickly looked away, fisting my hands in the fabric of my sweater.

"Hey Olivia." Logan greeted, his deep voice brushing against my skin. I couldn't stop the shiver that ran down my spine at his voice. Damn who knew a voice could be so attractive.

"Hey." I inwardly winced at the squeaky tone that came out of my mouth. Whenever I was around Logan it was like I became a blushing, mumbling mess. I wasn't the most confident person talking to guys but something about Logan made it even worse. It was like I forgot how to talk or be normal.

Thankfully Abigail and Leo broke the awkward tension that seemed to rise between us.

"Auntie Liv brought cookies." Abigail beamed up at Logan, Leo beside her bouncing around.

"Yeah but you need to get dinner first, you little munchkin." Knox reached down and grabbed his daughter. "Lets go see momma." Leo running ahead of them.

Knox left the room leaving Logan and I standing there awkwardly. I wasn't really sure what to say. Aside from the fact I was awkward in general but what do you say to a guy you haven't seen in three years. Add in that he left without saying anything.

"So, uh, how have you been?" Logan asked, breaking the silence first.

"I've been good. Just, um, busy with work."

"Knox told me you opened a bakery? Sweet Delights?" Logan said putting his hands in his pockets as he looked at me.

"I did." I tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear, suddenly a little embarrassed.

(Cue the Debby Ryan comments :D)

"That's great. You always wanted to own your own bakery."

"It's been...a process but yeah it's been pretty great."

"That's good." Logan nodded. The air around us turning even more awkward if that was possible.

"How about you?" I asked, shuffling my feet.

"Good. Work and more work." He cracked a small smile. Three years ago after my brother expanded the hardware store, Logan decided to move to Albany to help open and run the new store.

"Knox told me the store is doing well."

"It is. Can't really complain."

Again, cue awkwardness. It was like the two of us couldn't hold a conversation, at least not with each other. I knew why but you would think three years apart would help erase the tension between us but apparently not.

I itched to say something but I wasn't sure what to say. This is why I've avoided him every time he's come to visit. Random spur of the moment things would come up so I wouldn't have to stand here awkwardly like this.

Right as I opened my mouth my brothers voice called out, thankfully stopping me from saying something stupid.

"You two coming?" His head popped out of the kitchen, looking between the two of us. Inwardly thanking my brother I brushed past Logan, ignoring the hard muscle I felt, and headed for the kitchen.

I wasn't going to let Logan being here mess with me. I was over him so it wasn't like it was going to be a big deal anyway.

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

"And then he went 'pow' and they disappeared!" Leo all but yelled as he tried to describe some movie he saw to us at the dinner table. The way he described it was cuter than hell. He couldn't pronounce some of the words and he even tried to act out some of the moves before Aubrey told him to get off his chair.

"That sounds amazing." Logan exaggerated. From Leo's expression he was beyond thrilled Logan was paying attention to what he was saying.

Dinner so far had been good. The kids spoke enough for all of us, which helped keep my interaction with Logan to a minimum. Our eyes kept meeting as we ate before we both quickly adverted them.

Trying to pretend that he wasn't sitting across from me was proved harder than I thought. Especially when his long legs kept bumping into mine, and when he went to move his leg pressed even more into mine.

I could feel Aubrey's curious gaze on me through out the dinner since I hadn't said more than a few words. Usually I was the chatter box but for some reason having Logan here was making me self-conscious.

"Anyone want dessert?" Aubrey asked once everyone cleared their plates. Almost immediately two very loud and excited voices yelled 'yes!'. Grinning I pushed my chair back. Turning to the two munchkins I asked.

"Pie or cookies?" My grin got wider as the seemed to contemplate which dessert they wanted. I already knew they would say cookies but figured I'd let them decide.

"Cookies." Abby answered, Leo nodded in agreement next to her.

"Cookies it is. Pie for you guys?" I looked at Knox, Aubrey and Logan. With a series of nods I headed for the kitchen. Of course my favorite part of dinner was dessert and surprising everyone with something new.

Tonight's pie was something new I came up with the other day and had yet to actually make it for anyone but me and my best friend. If I wanted someone honest opinion all I had to do was make it for my brother. He never sugar coated if he didn't like something. He's never been a huge dessert person so when he likes it you know its good.

Putting two cookies on a plate I got to work on dishing out pieces of pie for everyone. The pie actually came out a lot better than the one I made at home so fingers crossed it tasted just as good.

With multiple bowls and a plate in hand I carefully made my way back to the dining room. As soon as I stepped foot within eyesight I felt everyone staring at me. No pressure.

"Here you two go. It's a double chocolate with peppermint frosting." I put down the plate of two giant cookies in-between Abby and Leo. The cookies were probably too big for them to eat on their own but what they didn't eat could be saved for tomorrow.

"Oh." Aubrey commented, leaning over to get a better look at the cookies. At the look on her face I grinned.

"I brought three more for later." I added to which she returned my grin. "And now this," I placed a bowl in front of everyone and made my way back to my seat. "This is a Caramel Apple Pie."

"Caramel Apple." Knox raised an eyebrow as he stared down at the pie.

My roommate and best friend Jess brought home those caramel apple suckers a few weeks ago and as soon as I tasted one I thought why not make this into a pie. I even had ideas to make the flavor into cookies and donuts. I just wanted to make sure it tasted good first before making huge batches and selling them for the holidays.

I didn't touch mine as I watched everyone take a bite. I chewed on my bottom lip as I waited almost impatiently for their comments. Beside me my niece and nephew were enjoying their cookies by letting out little 'hmm's'.

"So?" I finally asked when I couldn't take it anymore.

"You have no idea how good this is." Aubrey practically moaned through a mouthful. "Better than sex."

"It is....wait what did you just say?" My brother turned to his wife with raised eyebrows. "Did you just say it's better than sex?"

"Cause it is." Aubrey smirked, taking another bite of the pie. The look that crossed my brothers face had me scrunching my nose.

"Oh we'll see about that." Looking away from their little moment I met the eyes of Logan.

"So what do you think?" I asked shyly. I kept my eyes on his as I tried to ignore the down the table whispering and giggling to each other. Disgusting.

Logan brought another piece to his mouth before answering. My eyes moved on their own, watching his jaw move as he chewed. For some reason I was a bit nervous hearing what he thought of it.

"Olivia this is..." I bit my bottom lip my stomach sinking lately. "It's really good." His lips split into a grin.

"Yeah?" Logan nodded taking another huge bite.

A huge smile took over my face as I ducked my head and finally took a bite of my own. His words making my chest warm. The last time he saw me I was good but over the last three years I'd like to say I've gotten even better. I've broadened my baking skills and having the store I've been trying new stuff for customers.

"You're a great baker Olivia." At his words my cheeks flushed. The compliment did something to my stomach. Something I haven't felt in a really long time.

"Thanks." I mumbled softly.

Thankfully before anything else could be said the sound of chairs scrapping across the floor broke through the tension around the table.

"Where are you two going?" Aubrey questioned as her two kids jumped out of their chairs.

"TV?" The looks on their faces were so cute and innocent all I wanted to do was squeeze their cheeks. I refrained from 'awing'.

Getting approval from their parents, the two took off towards the living room. I watched their little forms disappear around the corner, my heart tugging in my chest. Maybe one day I'll have the life that my brother and Aubrey had. The imagine of Logan popped into my head before I quickly pushed it away. It wasn't going to happen with him.