Work Text:
Logan was nursing his whiskey. Savoring it really.
It was good. Real good.
Owen had brought it in special from Walnut Grove for the Tour de Rock, and Logan hadn’t wanted to miss his chance to try it. So he’d ventured out, risking a packed Blue Moon. The sand sledding competition had turned out to be a big hit, and there were so many tourists that their small town had been overwhelmed since Monday. Owen was running off his feet, and he’d even roped Elsie into waiting on tables. She’d grumbled about it, but Logan knew she’d actually been pleased that Owen had trusted her enough to ask.
Most of Sandrock’s denizens were there too. Hugo and Coop were playing some upbeat music. Vivi was helping out in the kitchen. Even Zeke had shown up for a drink with Mort. It had been a long time since the town had been bustling like this and it seemed like pretty much everyone wanted a taste of it.
“That is LUDICRIOUS!” Logan swiveled in his chair as he heard Pablo’s voice ring across the din. He couldn’t help but grin. Pablo and Heidi were always bickering and it sounded like they were at it again. It was nice to see some things never changed. He couldn’t see them through the crowd, but he could well imagine the small barber’s face red with indignation at whatever Heidi had said to him.
He rotated back and around and nearly jumped to find Catori leaning on the counter next to him. She hadn’t been in Sandrock long before everything had gone down so he didn’t know her very well, but she seemed nice enough.
“Howdy,” she said with a smile, before turning her head to catch Owen’s eye and giving a quick nod. Owen seemed to know what she wanted because a moment later he set a glass on the counter in front of her. She picked it up and held it towards Logan, who hesitated a split before clinking his own against hers.
She took a generous mouthful, eyes closing briefly in pleasure.
“Mm… Worth the wait,” she said to herself.
“Congrats on the whole sand runnin’ thing. Must feel good knowin’ ya got a winner on your hands,” he said awkwardly. Peach knew he’d never been good at small talk. Or just talk... in general. Haru? Now he could talk to just about anyone.
“Definitely! I just knew Sandrock was going to be the ‘place to be.’ I’m sure the whole Duvos thing helped generate some interest, but I’ll take it. Whatever gets people in the door, right?” She paused. “So… how are you doing? Haru told me the two of you got the house all cleaned up,” she said in that smoky voice of hers. “Must be nice to be home and settled again.”
“Yeah, it’s not bad,” Logan replied with a shrug, taking another sip of his own drink. “Beats sleepin’ on the ground.”
“I bet. There’s definitely something to be said about having a big bed to roll around in.” Her lips curved into an inviting smile, and he felt himself freeze up. Was – was she making a pass at him?! He cleared his throat and took another drink.
“Yeah, Andy’s been lovin’ it,” he said, a little too loudly, smiling tightly. “Kid barely remembered havin’ a real bed.” Catori’s face softened, and she pressed a hand to her ample chest.
“My son isn’t much older than Andy is. I can’t imagine him lost in the desert.” She shook her head, her hand suddenly resting on his arm. “Not everyone would have taken the boy in like that.”
“It weren’t just me,” he protested lightly. “Haru wouldn’t have let me leave the little rugrat behind even if I’d wanted to.” She tilted her head, looking at him appraisingly as she took another mouthful of her drink. After a moment, she leaned forward, her full lips close to his ear.
“Look, how about you and I get out of here?” she suggested in a low voice. “I’m not looking for anything more than a good time. No strings. No regrets. Just two people enjoying each other’s… company.” Logan felt his cheeks heat, and he swallowed hard.
He wasn’t blind. She was a damn good looking woman, all curves and tanned skin. It had been a long time since he’d had someone else’s hands on him, and it wasn’t too hard to imagine that voice like honey and smoke crying out his name.
But… She wasn’t the one he’d dreaming about for weeks.
As if his thoughts manifested her, Ari pushed her way through the crowd to appear before them. “Hey Cat! Logan!” Ari greeted, “What a crush huh? I didn’t think I’d ever see this many people here at once.” Her violet eyes were bright, her cheeks rosy, and she was obviously a little tipsy. “Phew, I need another drink – Heidi and Pablo are really going at it. Amirah’s used to it, but dang.” She impulsively gave Catori a one-armed squeeze as she slid in between them. If the dark haired woman was annoyed by the interruption, she certainly didn’t show it. She made room for the builder, her eyes twinkling.
“You know I hate being called Cat,” she told Ari with a fond smile.
“Not when I do it,” Ari replied airily, tossing a wink over her shoulder at Logan. Damn him if his stomach didn’t flip over when she did that. She waved a hand at Owen as Catori leaned down and whispered something in her ear conspiratorially. Ari’s laugh was like music to his ears. Feeling like a third wheel, he focused his attention on his glass.
Ari suddenly drew away, a drink in each hand. She flashed them another smile. “See ya later!”
And she was gone.
“Well shoot, it’s like that is it?” Catori’s voice broke through the noise a minute later, and he pulled his eyes away from the spot where the builder had vanished, blinking in surprise.
“What?” he asked stupidly, and she shook her head, angling her body towards the crowd.
“Hey, I get it. Light, even I had a bit of a thing for her for a while there,” she admitted with a laugh, bringing her glass to her lips. She drained it in one fell swoop before straightening and putting it back down on the counter with a thump. “I’m not even one to swim in that pond, if you know what I mean. There is just… something about her.”
“Yeah,” Logan agreed quietly. “Yeah, there is.”
“I never thought to act on it though,” Catori told him, turning her head to look at him. “Know why?” He shook his head, his eyes locking with hers for a moment. “Didn’t want to risk fallin’ in love again. Had enough of that for this lifetime.” She gave him a knowing look and then clapped him on the shoulder.
“Good luck pardner,” she told him before disappearing into the crowd.