Page 41 of Structure of Love

Pulling into the lot, I saw Asher’s car, so I knew I’d timed it right. I sauntered in, placed an order, then spotted Asher, Riggs, and Cohen sitting at our usual table. Asher spotted me in the same second and waved a hand to catch my attention. I lifted mine in return, then weaved my way around people, busboys, and chairs to get there.

Riggs, still in work mode, greeted me with “Inspection go well?”

“It did, in fact, and invoice was sent. Expect payment before end of day.”

“Excellent.”

I slung myself down into the booth next to Asher and found both Cohen and Asher regarding me with this sort of puzzled expression. “What?”

“You look strangely lighter? More chipper? I can’t put a finger on it,” Asher said.

“Ah. Well, there is a reason. I went low contact with Mom and Cooper this morning.”

Asher’s eyes, swear to god, just about fell out of his head. His reaction was so comical I almost laughed, but then he threw his arms around me and hugged me tight.

I hugged him back, grinning. Yeah, that had been super nice to say.

“I’m so incredibly proud of you.” He drew back, hands lingering on my shoulders, eyes searching my face. “What happened to push you to it?”

“I’m wondering the same,” Cohen admitted.

“Although we’re proud of you, too,” Riggs hastily added. “But yeah, what happened?”

I explained my thought process, how Logan and I had talked and why his words had impacted me so deeply, finishing with “I can’t let them ruin my life. I can’t risk Logan. I realize we’re still in the beginning stages of dating, but I see so much potential, and I can’t risk my possibly happily ever after because my addict brother can’t clean up his own shit. I’m not my mother’s husband, either, and it’s about time she put on her big-girl panties and straightened her own life out. I’m just done, I guess. I only regret not doing this sooner.”

“I’m glad you did it now.” Cohen reached over the table to pat my shoulder, eyes warm with pride. “I’m glad you chose you, for once. Logan’s an amazingly good influence on you, to get you to see that. To get you to act on that.”

“He truly is.”

“Now I can’t wait to meet him.” Riggs pointed a stern finger at me. “He is coming to the next session so I can meet him. I insist on this.”

I gave a mock-salute. “Yes, sir.”

“Good answer. Now, lunch is on me. I’m rewarding you for good sense.”

“I want pie.”

“We’re all getting pie,” Asher declared. “This is worth celebrating!”

Warmth spread through me, seeing their support, and I knew I’d made the right decision. I was determined not to break my low contact rule unless something went wrong.

It better be drastically, horrifically wrong. The usual shenanigans would not move me.

13

Gage

Saturday morning dawned and I contemplated ambushing Logan at work, just so I could see him and report my good news to him. I didn’t want to tell him over the phone—I wanted to see his face when I told him what I’d done.

Saturdays were busy for him. Maybe I shouldn’t?

I kind of bummed around the house, not sure what I would do with myself today. The house was clean, and while I did have yard projects, I didn’t wanna. I wanted to go somewhere today. Maybe hit up a bookstore, or go hiking, or something. Someplace that wasn’t work or home.

My phone rang in my pocket and I fished it out. Oh, it was Logan! I answered quickly. “Hi, handsome, I was just thinking of you.”

“What a happy coincidence,” he purred. “I’m thinking of you. It’s a gorgeous day out, wanna go for a ride?”

Now that sparked joy for sure. “I’m already reaching for shoes. Come get me.”