Page 91 of Attractive Forces

I pull back to look at his face.

His eyebrows are drawn together, and his brown eyes are dull, with massive bags under them.

I love him.

The thought jumps into my mind, landing with a thud. Oh, holy shit.

I can’t deny the truth in those three words. I don’t just care for him. I don’t just find him attractive and funny. I’m in love with him.

Because right now, I’d do anything to make him feel better. I’d happily trade places and take away his pain.

Unfortunately, I can’t do that.

“What can I do to help?” I ask instead.

29

Jake

Logan’s here.

I haven’t slept all night, so at first, I wonder if I’m hallucinating because it seems like Logan just apparates from nowhere and is suddenly here, hugging me. But I don’t think my brain is working well enough to conjure the exact scent of Logan, the exact feel of his arms around me.

He pulls me against his chest, and for a few moments, that hot, clenched part of me eases slightly.

When he releases me, it’s only so he can lean back far enough for his eyes to search my face. “What can I do to help?”

“Search and rescue are just about to set up search teams to check the bush between here and the highway,” I say. My mouth is dry, and the words feel like crackling leaves.

“Okay, I can help with that. And I can call my father, get the church community involved if you want?” Logan’s gaze is intense on mine.

The idea hangs between us, and I blink. Isn’t Logan worried about what people will think if he does that?

But there’s no uncertainty on his face as he waits for me to answer.

“The more people we can get out searching, the better,” I say finally.

“I’m on it.” He tries to give me a reassuring smile, but his eyes are too worried.

He puts his hand on my shoulder and squeezes before stepping back and getting his phone out of his jacket pocket.

Over his shoulder, a figure catches my eye. It’s Chloe. She’s standing motionless just inside the front door. Her eyes are wide as she stares at me. I don’t know how much of my interaction with Logan she saw, but it’s obviously enough to inspire the surprise overtaking her face.

While Logan starts to talk on his phone, she heads over to me.

She gives me a quick hug. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m okay.”

Chloe shoots a glance over at Logan, who is still on the phone. “With Logan, it’s not just a one-way thing, is it?” she says in a low voice.

Panic floods me. But I don’t have the mental energy to try to convince her what she just saw is different from what it actually is.

Instead, I go for the truth. “No, it’s not just one-way.”

Her eyebrows rise, but she holds my gaze. “Okay, I might like him a bit better now.”

My panic turns into a tsunami. “It’s not something you can talk to anyone about.”