Undeniably Yours by Shannon Stacey Read Free Book Online

climbed onto a stool because she peered over the bar. “You okay?”
    “No,” she hissed, waving for the waitress to go away.
    This wasn’t happening. Of all the sports bars in all the world, Samuel Thomas Logan the fucking Fourth had to walk into hers?
    “Go away,” she barked at Kevin’s kneecaps when he walked over to investigate.
    “Tell me those aren’t FBI agents hunting a tall, redheaded fugitive.”
    “Of course not, dumbass.” It was worse. So much worse.
    “Dick’s bringing one of them over here,” he told her. “Must want to show you off.”
    “Shit.” She tried to scramble away on her hands and knees, but Dick’s face popped over the bar.
    “Hey, Paulie, you hiding back there? Got somebody here I want you to meet.”
    Before she could strike a hurried bargain with a higher power, Sam Logan’s face appeared next to Dick’s. She froze, as did his expression for a long moment.
    He looked a lot like he had the last time she’d seen him. Because he loved being outdoors, his tanned skin set off his green eyes. He kept his dark hair clipped short because he didn’t have the time or patience to fuss with it or make salon appointments, so he simply ran a clipper over it as needed.
    The suit was different, of course. The last time she saw him, he’d been wearing a tux, standing at the end of the rose-petal-strewn aisle with his best friend at his side. Their boutonnieres had been pale blush blossoms to match her bouquet. The same bouquet she dropped as she turned and fled, tripping over the long train of her wedding gown before she’d managed to gather it all in her arms and run.
    His expression was similar, though. Stunned. “Paulette?”
    “Paulette?” Dick echoed. “Hell, we just call her Paulie. How do you two know each other?”
    “Please don’t,” she mouthed at Sam.
    When he arched an eyebrow at her, she knew the gig was up and felt a pang of mourning for the awesome life she’d lived for the last five years. “How do we know each other? Very, very well, as a matter of fact.”
    Dick seemed to expect him to say more, but when Sam didn’t elaborate, he laughed and slapped his shoulder. “Small world, huh?”
    He could say that again. Jasper’s Bar & Grille was the last place in the world Sam Logan should have shown up. Yet there he was, looking down at her like she was a bug and he was wondering whether or not she was worth the effort of stepping on. Hopefully he’d decide she wasn’t and she could scurry away and find a dark corner to hide in.
    But Dick Beauchamp wasn’t done yet. “Since you moved in just around the corner, you and Paulie will have plenty of time to catch up.”
    Moved in? Around the corner? Paulie’s stomach somersaulted as she tried to push herself to her feet. If Sam was going to get revenge by spilling her secrets, she could at least try to salvage some of her dignity.
    “Yes, we will.” Sam gave her a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’ll be in touch.”
    Paulie watched him walk back to his table, the knot in her stomach pulling tighter and tighter. She didn’t want him to be in touch. He was from her old life and there was no place for him in her new life.
    Once they were alone, Kevin stepped close and leaned against the bar. “You want me to throw him out?”
    Yes, she did. And she knew he’d do it, no questions asked. “No. He won’t cause any trouble.”
    Not to anybody else. Only to her. There was no doubt in her mind Sam Logan was going to cause her all kinds of trouble.
    ***
    Kevin deliberately waited until Sunday evening to make the drive to his parents’ house.
    The lives of Leo and Mary Kowalski revolved around their children and grandchildren, but Mary had declared those few Sunday hours off-limits to them. He was breaking the rules, but it was the only time he could be sure none of the others would be around.
    Because it was off-limits hours, he rang the doorbell. His parents were getting up there, but no way in hell was he