“Thankyou.”
“I shouldn’t celebrate. I should come over to your house and smack some sense into that thick, sweet, clueless skull of yours.”
“Clueless?” Natalie’s brows shot up. “So now we’ve resorted to name calling?”
“Oh, come on, Nat. It’s obvious you have feelings for the guy. And a person would have to be blind not to see those feelings are one hundred percent mutual.”
“Logan doesn’t see me like that.” An automatic response she’d been telling herself lately.
“Yes, because he’s the kind of guy who goes around kissing women he’s not attracted to. You’re right.” More sarcasm. “My bad.”
“Of course, Logan’s not like that,” she shot back. “I’m just saying we both got caught up in a moment, and now it’s over. The end.”
“If that’s true, then why are you still avoiding him?” Clearly meant to be rhetorical, Tessa didn’t even give her a chance to respond before she went on with, “Believe me, Sis. LoganHayesis so far gone for you, he’s in a whole other hemisphere.”
“That’s not—”
“I’m serious, Natalie. You don’t see it, but I do. Have for a long damn time, now.”
“See what?” she demanded. “What exactly is it you think I’ve been missing?”
“Uh…the way the man looks at you, for starters. You don’t notice it, because he doesn’twantyou to. But all those stolen glances and longing stares have been there, standing right in front of you this whole time.”
Natalie’s heart thumped so hard it physically hurt. Could what Tess was saying be true? Had Logan really been fighting the same powerful, primal need as her? Did he think about her when he laid his head down at night?
Does he dream about me, too?
“I don’t…I mean, I haven’t…I never noticed…” Her thoughts were so jumbled, it was hard to formulate a complete sentence. Thankfully, Tessa made sure she didn’t have to.
“I know, sweetie,” her sister empathized. “You didn’t see it because you weren’t ready to see it. But it’s there, Nat. And as real and as big as all those thoughts you’ve got rolling around inside your head.”
That last part had one corner of Natalie’s lips curving. “So you’re a mind reader, now. That must come in pretty handy in your profession.”
The comment was meant to lighten the mood, but her sister didn’t take the bait.
“It’s not about reading minds, Nat. It’s about understanding how human emotions affect the mind. And right now, your heart is full of guilt for something you havenobusiness feeling guilty about, that there isn’t room for anything else.” Tessa quieted before adding, “Or anyoneelse.”
She sniffed, swiping at another round of fresh tears as she made yet another turn. “It’s not as easy as simply deciding to let go and move on.”
“I never thought it was. I’m just saying Hunter’s been gone two years, Nat. Twoyears.You’ve grieved. You’ve mourned. And now you’re ready to move on, but—"
“Wow! That’s really bright,” Natalie interrupted as a set of blinding headlights filled her rearview mirror. Reaching up, she adjusted it, so the blinding reflection wasn’t hitting her square in the eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“Just some jerk who’s following too close. I can’t tell if they have their brights on, or they’re those super bright LED kind. Either way, I’d appreciate it if they’d get off my ass.”
“Bet you’re thinking the same thing about me right about now, huh?” Tessa’s teasing nature returned.
“No.” Natalie’s lips formed a small smile. “I know you’re only saying all these things because you love me.”
“Well yes, I do love you. But I’m telling you these things because they’re thetruth.You like Logan. He’s crazy about you. But you’re scared to move on. It’s perfectly natural after experiencing the loss of a spouse or significant other. But the fact that you allowed yourself to get as physically close to Logan as you did tells me you’re a lot more ready than you think you are.”
“Just because I haven’t moved on before now doesn’t mean I’m scared,” she got defensive. “Maybe I just haven’t met anyone I feel is worth all the time and effort a real relationship takes.”
“The man moved to Seattle for you, Nat.”
“Because he promised Hunt he’d look out for me,Tess.”