Page 36

W hen we get to the corner pub, a line of balloons is taped around the door and a banner reading: Enjoy your retirement, Freddy!

Not that I ever went into the hardware store. But I will miss the lunch breaks Mr. Campbell took at the café. And the poor jokes he’d share with me. Regardless, he always made me laugh.

Damn. The thought of leaving these people behind makes my chest ache.

Inside, seventies rock music plays through the speakers and Mr. Campbell himself enthusiastically greets us. “Ladies!” He takes our hands, dancing with me and Lana in place with a gut laughter bellowing out of me. “Glad you can make it, girls.” He throws his arms in the air.

I exchange a knowing smile with Lana because we’re both aware Mr. Campbell is, in fact, drunk. Drunk and happy. But all we can do is grin.

“I’m retired! Can’t believe it, really. But don’t think I won’t be in to visit you, my dear. Those brownies are to die for.” He lands a kiss on my cheek. “Now have fun. Drinks are on me!”

Everyone cheers and a few people dance in circles around a lively Mr. Campbell. It’s like something out of a sitcom.

“Hear that? He’s buying. Let’s go grab a drink.”

I follow Lana to the bar and scan the busy crowd. Jason would never step foot inside a place like this, so I’m not sure why I believe he’d be here waiting for me. My mind pulls in every direction, though.

“You doing okay?” Lana asks with a reassuring smile.

“Just a little distracted.”

“If you want to leave, just say the word and we’re gone. I’m limiting myself to one drink.”

“Thanks. But I’m fine.”

As we wait for our drinks, a man saunters over and sits next to me.

I startle at first, then relax when I see it’s not Jason.

A wide grin spreads across the stranger’s face while Lana hands me my drink, shooting a curious look over to him.

She’s looking out for me, but I wave her off, letting her know it’s fine.

This isn’t exactly what I had in mind for tonight, but oh well, it’ll only be conversation.

Lana chats with Joel as he leans against the countertop, and I take a dainty sip of my drink.

“Can I get you another?” His smile is charming, and he’s good looking. So, there’s that.

“I just got this one, so we’ll see.” I casually shrug, hoping he’ll get bored and leave.

He nods. “Fair enough.” He drinks his beer, holding a smile, never taking his eyes off me. “Do you come here often? Don’t remember seeing you, and I could never forget a woman like you.”

His line is lame, but I can respect it. “I’m kind of new in town. Not sure how long I’ll be staying.” I lean forward, resting my chin in my hand, and Lana whips her head to me with an eye roll. Yes, I know, I’m not leaving. According to her.

“My name is Martin, and your name?” His brown eyes peer into me as he moves his body toward mine. But if I am being truthful with myself, all I see is blue. Ocean blue. And I don’t give a damn what this guy’s name is.

“Sorry if I’m coming on too strong. I’m a bit out of practice.” He flashes his left hand. “Newly divorced.”

Ouch. I turn, giving him my undivided attention. “I’m really sorry. That must be hard.” But really, I’m envious.

He shrugs, drinking his beer. “It happens, right? Life doesn’t always go according to plan.”

No. It doesn’t.

This man will be fine, I can tell. The sadness isn’t fully there, having already been over the fact.

I go to open my mouth, to give him more sympathetic words, but a shadow casts down over us. Not sure how, but I knew who that shadow belonged to.

Martin chats about something else, changing the subject of his divorce, but I’m too lost in Logan to pay attention. “You know what I mean?” Martin finishes.

Logan drops money on the counter for the bartender as he lingers on the other side of Martin.

“I’m sorry. What was that?” I ask, darting my focus back to him.

He laughs, continuing, but I peer back at my brooding neighbor, who is now leaning elbows onto the bar counter. He’s pretending like I’m not even here.

“What do you do for work?”

My eyes fall back on Martin. It’s awkward now, Logan being too much of a distraction as I trace him up and down from what I can see over the talkative stranger.

I’m mentally cursing myself for getting into these situations.

“I’m a baker at the café around the corner.”

“Is that right? Are your desserts as sweet as you?”

A low growl rumbles from Logan, and a chuckle from Lana sounds in my ear. No doubt she’s listening to this entire conversation taking place. Martin is oblivious, still focusing all his energy on me.

I let out a playful laugh. “People say they’re delicious.” I take a drink wearing a faint smile, noticing Logan shifting where he stands.

I’m playing with this man and maybe it’s the wrong thing to do.

Martin straightens with confidence like he just scored a point, and Logan sets down his beer calmy, but I don’t miss the slight twitch of his hand on the bottle before releasing it.

He leans down, fully facing this guy who is still talking. “You’re in my seat.”

I swallow the lump in my throat, watching the exchange.

Martin turns slowly, eyes rising, then gets up, squaring off with my much bigger and taller neighbor. “You weren’t sitting here, man. What the hell is your deal?”

Logan’s menacing glare burns through him. “Get lost.”

With a little effort, Martin glances at me. My sympathetic smile being all the hint he requires before he leaves.

A satisfied Logan takes the recently vacated stool.

“Why did you do that? We were just talking.”

His intense stare meets mine, sending a thrill through me. “Why aren’t you answering my texts or calls?”

Ahh. That.

It wasn’t fair to him, but somehow crawling into a shell was the only way to cope. “I needed some time to process.”

“Yeah? Well, while you were processing, I had to wonder if you were okay.” He mocks me, taking a sip of his beer, then taking interest on the wall in front of him.

“If I wanted time alone, I don’t need to explain myself. Especially not to you .” Not sure why I emphasize that part. Besides Lana, Logan has been my rock here.

“That’s a selfish way to deal with your problems.”

I jerk my head back. I deserved part of that, but that’s not Logan.

He doesn’t say things like that to me. “I’m not sure what your problem is, but I’ll be dammed if I sit here taking your undermining abuse.

Now if you’ll excuse me.” I get up to leave, but his hand shoots out, grabbing my wrist. There’s regret on his face, but it’s not enough. Not right now.

I pull away and head outside. Lana asks if I’m okay and I give her a nod with a smile.

When I make it out the front door, the fresh air instantly hits me, taking my emotions down a notch. I inhale, and practice slow deep breaths leaning against the brick of the building.

It’s eerie out tonight. Extra quiet and it makes my skin crawl. It might be my imagination again, but it feels like someone’s watching me. But can it really be paranoia when Jason knows where I am?

Logan appears within minutes, taking part of the wall next to me. I should have faced him, instead of ignoring him. But I didn’t know what the hell I was really doing. My brain is a shambled mess.

He lets out a deep sigh. “I shouldn’t have said that to you. But you gotta understand that when you weren’t answering me, every part of my being was twisted with fear. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. The thought of him…” He doesn’t finish. Of course, he’s worried about me. It’s Logan.

I sigh. “I emotionally shut down. And I just… needed a minute. I’m sorry I made you worry.”

“You don’t need to shut down, Sora. Not with me.” He pushes off the wall, his body now in front of mine, blocking any view of the street and buildings ahead. He’s like my shield in ways and I want to let myself melt inside him.

Our gazes lock, but we say nothing. We just… connect. His eyes cherish every part of me. Taking his time memorizing. And my body becomes fully aware. A sudden ache throbs between my thighs and my breaths turn heavy. This man makes me weak, yet with him this close, I believe I can take on the world.

Our heated, whatever this is, sizzles out when the sound of approaching heels fills the silence. Claire stands there. Just stands there and irritation claws its way through me.

This bitch .

What’s her deal, anyway?

But my heart takes a leap when I notice Logan hasn’t looked away from me.

“Hi Logan.” Claire’s voice screeches in my ear. And she’s ignoring I’m even here which really pisses me off. “I put in a request for our song if you’d like to dance with me?” She flashes her pretend innocent eyes up at him, fluttering her lashes and he slowly closes his with regret.

They have a song.

What does that even mean?

Logan’s face laces with surprise, mine too, but my annoyance tolerance is about to run out.

“Claire. Why are you even standing here?” I ask, not giving a flying fuck right now.

There’s a jealousy threatening to drown me.

“To talk to Logan. You just happened to be here.”

A wave of anger barrels into me. “I happen to be here because we were talking. Us. Me and Logan.”

The night breeze sends a strand of hair swirling around my face, and Logan, who still hasn’t taken his eyes off mine, reaches out and tucks the piece behind my ear. I suck in a breath, my attention darting to his stunning face.

“Talking? Because it sounded more like arguing to me.” No she did not. She folds her arms to her chest, a nasty attitude dripping from her like a leaky faucet.

How did we end up enemies?

Logan finally rips his gaze away from mine and I already miss it. “Claire,” he warns in a dragged-out threat.

I decide to leave instead of ripping her eyes out. “You want him? He’s all yours.” I spin, heading inside not giving a damn.

I’ve lost my mind. He’s all yours? Like he was ever mine to begin with.

I fight my way through the crowd and rejoin Lana at the bar. “I need a shot. A very alcoholic one.”