Logan smirked, the corner of his mouth curling up in that crooked way that always made me feel like I was in on some secret joke with him. He touched the end of his sandwich to mine.
“I have to say,” he said, taking a bite, “it’s only been a couple of days, but I’m having a really good time.”
“Me too,” I replied softly, my voice carrying the happiness I hadn’t felt in quite some time. “I didn’t realize how good a dancer and teacher you were.”
He laughed, chewing slowly. “It’s gotta be hereditary. My mom’s always been a great dancer. I think that’s why she’s so good at riding, too.”
“I know how to ride a horse,” I said, “but dancing? I must’ve missed that gene completely.”
“Speaking of horses,” he said, lowering his sandwich slightly, “are you worried about the new addition?”
I exhaled, the thought of Dottie tugging something heavy inside me. Our last training session had gone sideways, and that alone was proof I hadn’t fully returned to myself. Horses were smart, intuitive in a way most people weren’t. They felt things. They felt you. And Dottie had sensed that I was still pretending everything in Faircloud was fine.
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “Dottie and I are still getting to know each other. I haven’t had one-on-one time with her since the day we brought her home. I just hope someone’s giving her the attention she deserves while I’m gone.”
Logan’s voice was soft but sure. “No one connects with them like you do, Ace. She’ll be lucky to have you back.”
His words hit something tender. Logan always believed in me—even when I couldn’t. Even when it felt impossible.
I turned to thank him, but before I could open my mouth, a flash of white swooped down in my peripheral vision.
I flinched, ducking instinctively.
“Hey!” Logan shouted.
I looked up just in time to see a seagull flying off, a brown blur dangling from its beak.
Logan’s hands were empty.
My jaw dropped, and then laughter exploded out of me like a wave breaking on the shore.
“That bastard took my sandwich!” Logan groaned, shaking his head and flipping the bird, literally, as it disappeared into the sky.
“He better like it,” I said through laughter. “These sandwiches are too good to share with strangers.”
“One bite…” Logan muttered. “That’s all I got.”
Still grinning, I tore my sandwich in half and offered him the larger piece.
“What’s mine is yours. Always,” I said, holding it out to him.
Logan looked at me, really looked, like he was seeing more than just a shared meal. His expression softened.
“You truly are one of the best people I’ve ever met. Do you know that?” he asked, taking a generous bite from the piece I’d handed him.
And just like that, my heart did that reckless thing again—jumped without a net.
Slamming my bookshut, I sat up, peering down at Logan, who was now stretched out on his stomach.
There it was again—that ridiculous, toned back, sun-kissed skin, and yes… that ass.
I cleared my throat once. Then again.
He didn’t move.
A third time finally got his attention. He rolled to his side and propped himself up on an elbow, squinting against the sun.
“I’m hot,” I announced, fanning myself dramatically.