Page 59 of The Pumpkin Spice Cafe

‘Freaked out about what?’

Good question.

‘I don’t think he’s over his ex.’

Ben grimaced.

‘I know. Also, he’s got this thing about people not finding out about us, which I thought I was cool with at first – less pressure you know? But now I’m not sure.’

‘Wait a minute, this asshole doesn’t want people to know about you?’

‘It’s not like that. It’s just this town is really small, and everyone is in everyone else’s business and I don’t know, it was my idea. To keep it quiet.’

‘Hmm.’ Ben’s deep frown almost made her laugh. Almost. ‘Sounds like this guy wants to make it easier to cut and run.’

Jeanie’s heart sank. ‘It does?’

‘Don’t look at me like that, Jean Marie.’

‘Like what?’

‘With those big puppy-dog eyes. I don’t know what this guy’s deal is, but don’t let him get away with hiding you, okay? Don’t let him make you think you shouldn’t be exactly you.’

‘Thanks, Bennett.’ Her voice was small, her throat clogged with tears. Stupid brother making her feel sappy emotions toward him.

Ben fidgeted, glancing down at the garbage eater at his feet and then back to meet her eye. ‘He should feel lucky to be with you, that’s all I’m saying.’

‘Okay.’

‘Okay.’

‘I love you.’

‘Ugh, damn it, Jeanie.’

She grinned at him, sniffling back the tears.

Ben sighed. ‘Fine, love you too.’

‘I knew it!’

Ben laughed. ‘Goodnight.’

‘Goodnight.’

Jeanie ended the call and rested her head on her knees, letting the pressure massage her forehead. Was Ben right? Was Logan trying to make it easier to end things with her by keeping their relationship a secret?

She could see where her oddly protective younger brother was coming from, but the explanation didn’t sit right with her. It didn’t feel like Logan. And, if she was honest with herself, it wasn’t necessarily the secrecy that bothered Jeanie. It was the reason for the secrecy that snapped her back to reality the other day in his neat little apartment.

Logan had his heart broken in front of the whole town, and he clearly wasn’t over it. Now Jeanie had to decide if she wanted to wait around until he was.

ChapterTwenty-Three

It was five in the morning on Fall Festival Day and Logan was in Nana’s kitchen finishing his coffee.

‘And you got all the pumpkins in the truck, right? Even the little ones from the back of the barn? Some of the kids just love those little ones.’

‘Got ’em.’