Page 124 of Break the Barrier

“Got money?”

She rolls her eyes. “Yes, Dad. I got it.”

“Okay, be safe and be home by eleven.”

She frowns. “The dance ends at nine.”

“Oh.” I nod. “Okay. Be home at nine thirty then.”

She rolls her eyes and gives me a crushing hug, and then she’s off to the dance.

I stand in my driveway and say goodbye to the other parents, watching my brothers talk with Thea out of the corner of my eye before she waves goodbye.

Shit. I want to talk to her, but she rushes off quickly, only a slight limp in her gait as she does.

Mom comes to stand beside me as she watches everyone leave and nudges my shoulder. “It’s Friday, you know.”

My eyes are stuck on Thea as she gets into her car and drives away.

“I know.”

51

thea

The restaurant wasextra busy tonight, and busy was good. The patrons of the high school dance had all come in in a rush to eat before the dance, and I got the pleasure of watching Lue have fun with all her friends before she left.

She gave me a big hug when she did, and I felt my heart swell at that.

I seriously love that kid.

Too bad her dad wasn’t as forgiving.

I have been at it for weeks, showing up and making it known that I wasn’t giving up on us, but in the back of my mind, I was preparing my heart for something to drop.

I wasn’t sure where his head was at, but when I stood there and took a picture with Lue earlier, I swear I felt his finger glide along my side.

Could have been an accident.

I don’t think it was.

But I wasn’t giving up, at least not yet. Not until he told me Ishould, not until he clarified that whatever we had before the whole me getting kidnapped thing was over and done with.

I don’t want to keep trying to pursue him if he is done with me. But wouldn’t he have said that? Wouldn’t he pull me aside and let me know he was over whatever we had?

Night comes on quickly, and the dance floor was full tonight. Some parents of Lue’s friends had come in for the night, and I nodded politely at them, both feeling part of that group and not at all.

Standing behind the bar and serving, I keep going. I don’t stop to allow my brain to keep overthinking every little thing, every little move, every little word, every interaction.

I just keep moving.

Until my neck tingles, and I freeze.

I know it doesn’t happen, but I feel like the whole restaurant goes quiet for a moment, and I slowly turn my head to look toward the door.

And standing there, in his finest button-down, his freshly shaped hat and shiny boots, is Logan.

My breath catches in my throat, and my eyes water.