Page 53

T he pub’s packed. Townies everywhere. Shelby wasted no time in planning her and Frank’s retirement party.

It’s only been two weeks since I took over the café.

For two weeks, I’ve finally been able to breathe.

No more Jason. Things have been going well, considering the building is still standing.

A good sign as of right now, anyway. Anything is possible, although I am confident that I can keep it up and running.

To ease the workload, I hired more employees to help run the front, and I now solely focus on baking and management.

I tried to convince Lana to work there a couple of days a week, but she’s been too busy painting and teaching to even think about picking up more work.

I worry about her being there all those late nights.

“This is my best retirement party ever!” Shelby holds up her shot while wrapping an arm around her husband.

I’ll admit, seeing Shelby with a drink in her hand and it not being tea, is considerably hilarious.

“It’s your only retirement party, lovely.” Her husband plants a big kiss on her. “Enjoy it.”

“Damn. That is true!”

We all laugh, and Lana hands me a shot. “Drink up, buttercup.”

“What is it?”

Lana scoffs. “You’re always doubting me. It’s something you’ll like.”

I down the shot. “Not bad. I do like it.”

“See. Told ya. Want another?”

“I better not. I’m meeting Logan on the balcony.” The mention of him causes my cheeks to warm. I suppose we’re still on the honeymoon stage, but he still gives me butterflies so easily and I never want to lose that feeling.

“Say no more. I get it. Well, kind of, not that I’ve ever had a man affect me the way Logan does you.” There’s a hint of sadness in her voice.

“Lana. You’ll find the right guy.”

“It’s not even that. Honestly, I just hate attracting all the wrong ones.”

Fair enough. Lana drew the attention of the biggest pieces of shits. Not that I’ve seen a lot of her since high school, but I knew the ones she dated. And let’s not forget Mark.

“Maybe you should start holding yourself on a higher pedestal.”

She shrugs. “Maybe.”

“Hey. You going to be okay here?”

“Yeah, sure. I’ll get an Uber or something. The night is young.”

I shoot her a wary glance.

“What? I’ll be fine. It’s Sunlight Creek. Nothing ever happens here.”

“I don’t know about that.”

Something over my shoulder catches my best friend’s attention and I follow her gaze. Crew sits drinking a beer with an arm wrapped around a random woman.

Lana shakes her head. “I feel sorry for her. Why is he even here?

“Bored, maybe?” I’m not exactly sure I know the answer to her question, but her mood for sure changes when Crew’s around and it’s not for the better.

If we’re all going to be around each other, I’d like them to get along.

“Just don’t take any rides from any strangers.”

“Duh. Besides, I don’t think there are any creeps at Shelby and Frank’s retirement party.”

Maybe. But I take another glance at Crew, who is watching us with deep curiosity. That look isn't intended for me.

At least I feel better knowing he’s here. Regardless of how much they disdain each other, Crew isn’t the type of man to let anything bad happen to Lana.

I plant a sisterly kiss on her cheek and hug Shelby goodbye, congratulating her and her husband before dipping out.

The huge smile was clear because the muscles in my face ache. But before meeting the love of my life, I have to make a quick stop.

The police station comes into view. Tonight is the night I file a report on Mark. That asshole will get what he deserves. It’s not something I can blow off any longer. He’s still walking around town easily getting off, and it makes my stomach turn.

Logan considers his place as ours, but so did Lana.

I guess I have two homes. Anyway, I pour a glass of wine and slip into a cute short nightgown I have the habit of wearing around him and head out to the balcony.

I put my feet up, my glass sitting next to me on the table with a good book, and I eagerly wait for Logan. This is something I can get used to.

I listen to the night crickets chirp and watch the night turn to darkness. Then it happens, the loud bang. I jump and then freeze.

Relax. It’s not him. It’s over.

Bang.

“Fuck!” I go to run back inside, but I see a fuzzy tail jump onto the cement ground, scurrying away.

I pause a moment before letting out the deepest, biggest laugh I’ve probably ever experienced. The hysterical laughter never stops as I press a hand over top of my ribcage. “Fred! Damn you!” But I laugh some more.

When I finally calm down, I swipe the small tears away from my eyes and slump back down. It’s really over. Nothing and no one is coming for me now.

The sliding door next to me opens and Logan stands there, beer in hand. He’s wearing a perfectly fit T-shirt with perfectly fitting jeans and his backward baseball cap. Even in the night with only a hint of light, those blue eyes of his shine.

We stare at each other out of aw. Love. Lust. And he smirks.

“Sora.”

The sides of my mouth turn upward, meeting the corners of my eyes and my heart thumps faster. “Logan.”

“You were laughing,” he states with a glint of happiness.

“I was. Let’s just say I had a run in with a certain furry raccoon and his trash can. Thought it was a burglar. Go figure.”

His smirk drops as he sets down his beer and then approaches me, only the railing separating us. “You know for sure it was Fred?”

“Yes. Little bastard showed himself. Guess he didn’t care about ratting himself out.” I chuckle.

Logan towers over me and the railing and then lifts me up effortlessly over the metal bars, like he’s done many times before. As soon as my feet touch the ground, I’m pulled against him, his hands firmly gripping my waist.

“Well. Hello to you, too,” I say, feeling myself getting hotter by the growing seconds.

He scans my body and moves his hand to the middle of my back. “From now on, let’s have our hangouts be on one side.”

“I was going to suggest that.” My hand grabs the material of his shirt lying over his chest.

“Mmm,” he growls. “I love the way you touch me, Sora.”

I run a hand down his chest to his stomach, feeling every ridge of muscle on the way. “And I love how it feels to touch you.”

He grabs my waist, picking me up, and I wrap my legs around him. “Let's skip to the good part, shall we?”

“Oh, hell, yeah.”

We each smile under our heated breaths as he carries me into his place.

Our home.

Cheers to a new future and looks like my luck has finally changed.