Read Online Of Loss & Betrayal (Madison & Logan Book 2) by S.H. Kolee - Free Book Online Page A

Mack had dark brown hair that was almost black, and equally dark eyes. He could easily be described as tall, dark and handsome, but the easy humor that seemed to be his natural countenance made him seem friendly and approachable.
    Logan introduced me to Mack and I was surprised when he hugged me as well. I awkwardly patted his arm, unsure of what else to do. I was normally an affectionate person, but not with complete strangers. Especially a complete stranger whom I was trying to figure out how to interrogate without Logan finding out.
    “Sorry,” Mack said with a grin, evidently noticing my stiffness. “Logan talks about you so damned much that I feel like I already know you. I’m one of those annoying people who hugs everyone.”
    I smiled a genuine smile. Logan was right. Mack was definitely charming. “I’m never one to turn down a hug, especially from one of Logan’s friends.”
    “Hey, now. Hands off. There’s a strict look but don’t touch policy here.” Despite Logan’s words, he was smiling and I was surprised by his laidback demeanor. These past few months, I had noticed that Logan had a tendency to become jealous over innocent things, but evidently he regarded Mack highly enough that he trusted him and his intentions.
    Logan pulled out a chair for me and we all sat down. Mack was already working on a bourbon, so Logan and I both ordered drinks from the waiter hovering at our elbow.
    “It’s good to see you,” Mack said when the waiter left, but then shook his head. “But it’s damn cold here. I forget how good we have it in L.A.”
    Logan grimaced. “Tell me about it. I have to get used to putting on ten layers of clothing plus a coat to go outside. That’s one thing I definitely miss about the West Coast.”
    For some reason, hearing Logan complain about the weather in Chicago bothered me. It made me feel like he preferred living in L.A. and that annoyed me, especially since there was a particular woman in L.A. whom I never wanted him to have contact with again.
    “I think it’s nice having actual seasons,” I countered. “There’s something wrong with wearing shorts and t-shirts during Christmastime.” I realized that I was getting uptight over a trivial conversation about the weather, of all things, and forced myself to smile. “I’m surprised Santa Claus even visits you guys. Do you have chimneys for him to slide down?”
    Mack laughed. “Sure we do. We need something to keep us warm when it gets down to the sixties.”
    I shook my head in dismay. “You’ll never survive a real winter in the Midwest. Sixties is shorts weather here.”
    Logan raised an eyebrow. “Funny you say that since you always complain about the winters here.”
    I playfully smacked him on the arm. “Traitor. You’re Midwest born and bred. You should represent better than that.”
    It was almost easy to forget that I had an ulterior motive for coming to dinner. I wished that tonight was nothing more than friends getting together to enjoy a meal. Mack was funny and friendly and Logan was in a good mood. This should have been a fun night, but instead, it was going to be tainted by Kristina and my suspicions about what had happened in L.A.
    Almost as if he had read my mind, Mack turned to Logan with a serious look on his face. “How are you feeling? Honestly, I thought it was a bad idea for you to fly so soon after your accident, but I guess you were right. You seem to be fine.”
    My pulse jumped at the mention of the accident. Logan shrugged his shoulders, not looking concerned.
    “I am fine. It was no big deal.”
    Mack gave him a skeptical look. “You being unconscious isn’t ‘no big deal.’ You’re lucky that you woke up without any serious issues.”
    Logan gave him a look that I interpreted to mean shut up , and then he glanced at me. He definitely wanted the conversation about the accident to end, but I didn’t know if it was because he didn’t want me to become worried or if he didn’t want