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“That’s the plan,” I told her with a playful grin.

Piper laughed and pushed the car door open. I watched her curls bounce as she made her way across the yard and disappeared inside…

I shook my head and tried to pull myself out of the memory. That night was one of the best of my life. Hell, even after five years, it still stood out boldly in my mind. There were so many things I loved about being with Piper, but the way our bodies melded so perfectly together was by far one of the best. She had a way of captivating me completely: mind, body, and soul.

Eight

Logan

When I looked up, my eyes searching for Piper, I realized she was no longer sitting at the table with Audra and Jack. I frowned and looked around, but she was nowhere in sight. It was against my better judgement that I took a step forward. Audra watched me with narrowed eyes until I was standing right in front of her.

“Hi, Audra,” I said. “Jack.”

“Logan,” Jack nodded. He glared at me openly and slid his arm protectively around Audra.

“What do you want?” Audra demanded. “Why the hell are you here?”

“I heard about your uncle and I wanted to…”

“To what?” Audra snapped. “Pay your respects?”

“Something like that,” I shrugged. I could feel my face flush and I looked away for a split second. There was nothing that could turn me into a shell of my former self faster than being face to face with Piper’s fiercely protective older sister.

“Thank you,” Jack said. His jaw was tight. “We appreciate you coming.”

I nodded and asked, “Where’s Piper?”

Audra laughed derisively and shook her head like she couldn’t believe I would dare speak Piper’s name in her presence.

“She ran out when she saw you,” Jack explained.

“Oh.”

“Are you surprised?” Audra demanded.

“A little,” I answered honestly. “I don’t know what I expected to happen when we saw each other again, but I didn’t think she would run away from me.”

“And why not?” Audra asked.

“Well, things didn’t end that badly,” I said quietly, speaking more to myself than to Audra.

“Maybe not for you,” Audra hissed. “But for Piper, it was…”

“Aud,” Jack said warningly. Audra turned to face her husband who simply shook his head.

“What?” I asked. “For Piper, it was what?”

“Nothing,” Jack said with a tone of finality in his voice. “For Piper, it was nothing. She just doesn’t want to see you. Can you respect that?”

“Of course, I can,” I nodded. “Will you just…”

I paused, not knowing exactly what I wanted to say. A hundred different ideas ran through my mind as I stared blankly at Jack. He waited patiently, his eyes never leaving mine. I could tell he wanted nothing more than for me to turn around and leave, but he was too polite to say so.

With a sigh I started again, “Will you just tell Piper I’m sorry? For her loss I mean.”

“We will,” Jack promised. He glanced toward the door, his intention perfectly clear.

“Thanks,” I said lamely. I turned to walk away, but Audra’s voice stopped me.