“They’ve become what?” Tessa prodded.
“Different.” It seemed as good a word as any.
A long stretch of silence filled the car’s interior before Tessa asked, “Different…good?”
The hopeful lift to her sister’s tone didn’t surprise Natalie in the least. Tessa had made no secret about her feelings regarding Logan, even going so far as to revisit the topic every so often.
And every so often, when the conversation would arise, Natalie would make it very clear to her dear sister that she and Logan were just friends. At least, that used to be the case. But now…
“We kissed.” She ripped that band aid right off.
“Youwhat?Holy shit, Nat!” Tess’s excitement was off the charts. “Why the hell didn’t you lead with that? That’s…that’ssomuch bigger than some dumb billionaire!”
Yeah, I thought so, too.
For the next few miles, Natalie went through the whole convoluted story. From the evil dryer, to the awkward moment with Logan in the laundry room…to the evenmoreawkward conversation at dinner.
She pretty much went through the entire night from start to finish. The only thing Natalie didn’t share was the part where Logan had told her about his parents’ tumultuous marriage and how Eagle’s Nest Park had been his safe place.
His haven.
So yeah, that part of the evening was tucked safely away, hidden in a special place in her heart. Because that story was the first piece of Logan’s past he’d ever truly given her.
That’s because he’s spent the last two years making everything about you.
The truth in that only added to the already crushing guilt Natalie felt for the way she’d pushed him out of her house. She just prayed she hadn’t pushed him out of her life, too.
I need him to be in my life.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about the asshole slashing your tires before now,” Tessa admonished her when she got to the end of the story.
“It was late by the time the cops left, and there wasn’t anything you could do. Plus I knew you’d worry, and—”
“Damn straight, I’d worry! What if this guy comes back, Nat?”
“The cops said he did it in three other neighborhoods, too, so it’s not like he was coming after me or Logan specifically. And the detective in charge of the case said the offender has never returned to the same place twice.”
“Yeah, well there’s a first time for everything.” A loud sigh filled the car’s speakers before her sister’s voice softened. “Just promise me you’ll be careful, okay?”
“I promise.” She meant it. “Now can we please back up to the part of the story where Logan’s lips were on mine?”
As far as Natalie was concerned, that waswaymore important than some random weirdo with a hard-on for tires.
“Ooh, yes, please!” Tessa’s excitement returned.
“I don’t even know how it happened. We were talking, and then all of a sudden I was in his arms and he was leaning in…” Her heart had been racing so fast.“And then the honking started, and I got really confused, and then the guilt hit, and the cops came, and…” A loud exhale. “I’ve just been…”
When she didn’t finish the thought, her sister prodded her along. “You’ve just been what, Nat?”
“Avoiding him.”
Her sister waited a beat before asking, “Has Logan reached out to you at all?”
“No.” And damn if that hadn’t hurt.
Can’t be mad when you’re the one who told him you needed some time to yourself.
“And you haven’t tried to call or text him at all in the last five days?”