Page 75 of Break the Barrier

“I’ve been sweating all night.” The words fall from my lips before I can tell myself to keep my mouth shut, but it was true. My hair was tied up like my sister’s, and I’m sure I have sweated off all my deodorant by now.

His eyes shine like he finds my answer funny. “Well, you’re glowing then.”

I laugh at his joke, and he holds out the rose to me.

“For you.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” I take the rose and lift it to my nose, inhaling the sweet scent.

He holds out his hand for me to grasp, and I do, letting out a deep breath as the anticipation of the day settles over me.

This is what I’ve been waiting for since the moment I woke up.

Since we got together, every Friday, like clockwork, Logan has shown up and asked me to dance.

It was a tradition I never wanted to end.

Don’t get your hopes up, Thea.

My brain battles, telling me I still need to be careful. That I need to watch what I was doing with a careful heart because I could get used to this—to him—rather quickly.

Logan gave no indication that he would rather be anywhere else, that he would like to get out of this relationship. Heactually seemed to be the opposite when he introduced me to his entire family officially, when he has no hesitation when he wraps his arms around me in front of anyone who can see, and when he saved me from Bones the other night…he did more than declare himself committed.

I follow Logan out to the dance floor, the crowd moving swiftly to a popular country song over the speakers. I start in with Logan, rose still in hand, trying to keep up with the movements and laughing when I fail. More than once, I catch Logan staring at me and smiling when I stumble.

But I don’t care. I should care, as I normally do, about making a fool of myself in front of this massive crowd of people, but I don’t.

Somehow, I think I can thank Logan for that new self-confidence.

The music changes, and suddenly all those clustered bodies that were line dancing move off the dance floor or find a partner. The music slows down, and a methodical and very country love song plays through the speakers.

Logan wastes no time in grabbing my hand and linking it with his, pulling me into his chest. I let my hand follow his lead, and instead of doing the traditional two-step the song calls for, he has us swaying softly to the beat.

It gives me a moment to catch my breath.

The rose dangles from my fingertips behind his head, and I look up into his eyes, where he’s already gazing back down at me.

I blush almost instantly and blow out a breath, waving my hand at my face like I’m flustered by the heat in the room rather than the heat from his gaze.

“You okay?” he asks, his hands tightening around my waist.

“Oh fine.” I shake off my blush. I lick my lips, “So, where’s Lue tonight? Another friend’s night out?”

He smiles. “No, actually. She’s with Dani and some of Dani’s friends tonight. Doing a bridesmaid’s party thing.”

I arch a brow. “Like a bachelorette? Isn’t Lue too young for that?”

Logan seems to find my protectiveness amusing, and his smile widens. “It’s not really a bachelorette thing. They’re just watching movies and eating junk food. Dani isn’t one for drinking much more than a couple beers.”

“Oh,” I say in a brilliant reply, allowing my defensiveness to cool. I had no hold or say over Lue, and surely she was safe with her cousin. “Sorry.”

His eyes turn serious, and he looks at me, almost stopping our dance altogether. “Don’t ever apologize for watching out for my daughter, Thea.”

I don’t have a reply to that, so I lick my lips and let him continue.

“You know, I’ve never wanted to seriously date someone. I always figured I would die a bachelor, just taking care of my daughter to give her the best life I can.”

“You’re doing that,” I butt in. “She’s such a great kid.”