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His grin flickered. “Don’t be so sure. The broom couldn’t step on your toes.”

“You can step on my toes all you like.” Dropping her playful humor, Paige swung toward him and stopped sweet-talking. Without saying a word, she wound her arms around his neck. “Just hold me, and I’ll do the rest.”

Closing his eyes, he gulped audibly and pressed his forehead to hers. As she swayed into the slow rhythm of the song, he moved with her, his hands clinging to her waist.

Mraz crooned through the quiet juice bar, asking how old their souls were. And Logan tugged her just a little closer.

“Whatever is going on, whatever reason Gus wants us to close early, I’m going to stay by your side, okay?” she promised him. “I won’t let you face any ostracism alone.”

Logan shuddered. “I went back to your room today.” As he lifted his face to kiss her hair, his jaw scraped gently across her temple. “You didn’t answer your door. I thought maybe you didn’t want to see me, that you might regret—”

“No.” She pressed her cheek to his, needing the skin-to-skin contact. “No, that wasn’t it at all. I really wasn’t there. I went home. To talk to Kayla.” She decided not to mention the visit to his parents’ house.

Logan’s brow puckered in confusion as he pulled back enough to study her face. “You drove all the way to Creighton County…and back? Today?”

She nodded. “I wanted to clear the air between the two of us.”

“And?”

Paige grinned. “And we did.”

His shoulders sagged as he exhaled. “Good. I’m glad you didn’t…I’m just glad.” His hold on her tightened fractionally. “Your ability to forgive astounds me, you know.”

Mraz continued to serenade them, promising not to give up, even if the skies got rough. Licking her lips, Paige added, “And I wanted to get her take on the idea of you and me…together.”

His body stiffened as he stopped dancing. Studying her intently, his fa

ce went a sickly gray.

“I want to be with you, Logan.” God, she’d hoped her voice wouldn’t break when she said that, but it sounded rougher than sandpaper. “And I want everyone else to accept it.”

A ripple surged through him, making him shiver. “Did she?” he whispered. “Did she accept it?”

Paige’s smile trembled as she bobbed her head. “Yes. After a little convincing, she said she just wanted me to be happy.”

“And your dad?” he pressed, his voice barely audible.

With a shrug, Paige made a face. “Right now, I’m not really concerned enough about his opinion to ask for it.” Later, she would be. But for now, she wanted Logan more.

His eyes darted around the room as he turned his face from her. He looked like he might be going into shock. “I…” His breathing grew winded. “Oh, boy. This is a dream, isn’t it?”

Paige’s soul sang with pleasure as she beamed at him. “I don’t think so. I feel pretty awake.”

When he just stared at her, appearing too dazed to speak, Paige cupped his face in both her hands. “Logan…”

His lashes flickered as he swayed toward her. When his head dipped, a persistent tap started on the glass window front of the store.

Paige yelped and spun around. Two uniformed officers were loitering right outside the entrance of The Squeeze. One man, lowering the butt of his Maglite he’d used to knock on the window, motioned for her and Logan to come let them in.

She gulped, dread icing her skin. “What’re the chances they just want a smoothie?”

“They don’t look very thirsty.” Dropping his hands from her, Logan strode around the counter and went to unlock the door.

The two officers stepped inside.

“We’re looking for Logan Xander. We were told he might be working here tonight.”

Logan exchanged a glance with Paige and turned back to them. “I’m Logan.”