The Kings II

19

Jo

I opened the door to the restaurant, pulling my sunglasses off of my face.

There was no doubting that I was nervous.

Logan and I hadn't really hit it off too well to begin with. We only spoke when it was absolutely necessary.

I wanted to change that, though. For Lena's sake.

I hesitantly walked in, earning the eyes of the hostess.

"Two," I said, smiling at her.

She just bit down on her lip and leaned down, grabbing two menus. "You're Santiago King's son."

No shit.

"Yeah," I said.

She just smiled, nodding. "You're single, right?"

I just looked at her, grinning. "No."

Her smile fell off of her face. "Right this way."

I followed her through the restaurant and she seated me. "Your waitress will be right with you."

I sat down and tapped my fingers against the table, my jaw taut.

My knee bounced up and down and I just sighed, pulling my phone out.

[To: Baby]
wish me luck please

[From: Baby]
you've got this!!

I looked up and saw Logan standing at the table.

"It's not that big of a deal," he said, shrugging out of his jacket.

He sat down and I just looked at him.

"Hello to you, too," he deadpanned, holding his arms out.

He just chuckled. "You know, my opinion of you isn't going to be the greatest if you can't fucking speak to me."

"You and Lena," I said, "you're polar opposites."

"Yes," he said, nodding, "I have a cock, sh-"

"I'm not here to hurt her," I said, leaning forward.

He smiled, tapping his fingers against the table. "I'm a guy. I understand guys."

"So you understand guys don't always think about sex," I said, nodding, "and you understand guys can have feelings."

"They can," he said, "but guys like you and me."

He just sucked in a breath, shrugging.

"We're not to be compared in the same sentence," I said, nodding.

"These spot the differences keep getting harder," he said, leaning back in his chair, "we both pump iron-"

"You're jumping to conclusions," I said.

"Damn right I am," he said, leaning forward.

"Listen, man," I said, "you have every reason to want to protect her. It's a bad world."

"You have no idea what it's like," he said, "to have a sister that all you want to do is protect her."

"I have three sisters," I said, "so hit me."

He just flexed his jaw, his eyes narrowed.

"And believe it or not, I want to protect Lena as much as you do," I said, nodding, "I want to keep her so safe."

"That's my job."

"And I understand that," I said, nodding, "I'm just letting you know, I don't have ulterior motives."