Page 64 of Until Tomorrow (Love Doesn’t Cure All: The Ashwood Duet #1)

Logan

“I have no clothes!” Eva exclaimed, coming out of the closet and throwing her hands up in frustration. I smiled as she put her hands on her hips and huffed out an angry breath. “What the hell does dress nice mean? Do I wear formal wear? Business casual? Nice jeans? What does it mean, Logan?”

Eva had her first date with Rhett, and to say she was stressed was an understatement.

If anyone had told me a year ago that I’d be helping my wife pick out clothes for her date with another man, I would’ve told them that they were crazy.

But here we were. Honestly, I wanted nothing more than for this to go well for her.

There was no weirdness as we sorted through her clothes to find something.

“Come here.” I beckoned her toward me. When she was close, I took her by the shoulders and made her sit down on the bed. I hooked a finger under her chin and made her look at me. The pout on her face was real. “No matter what you wear tonight, you’ll look amazing, honey.”

“That’s the wrong answer, Logan!” she replied, her frustration doubling.

“It’s okay to be nervous,” I said while going into the closet to look through her dresses.

I picked out the two that looked best on her, both casual enough to wear for a date to most locations.

I highly doubted Rhett was taking her anywhere requiring actual formal wear.

I balanced one on each f inger as I told her, “The black is the one I’d suggest because it’s the most versatile for any location, but the sapphire one is… yes. Just yes.”

“Since when do you give fashion advice?” Eva asked.

“I’ve always paid attention to what you wear.”

“Just yes isn’t very helpful.”

“But incredibly accurate when describing that dress,” I replied, making her smile. It was my favorite dress. There was very little in her wardrobe that could top it.

“Save that dress for you, got it.” She grabbed the two dresses and put the sapphire one back. As we talked, she shimmied her way into the form-fitting dress. It clung to her every curve until it looked painted on. “What are you planning to do tonight?”

I didn’t answer right away. Mope? Mope was probably the right answer.

I was hung up on the fact that Elliot was leaving.

It wasn’t fair. To say I was upset was an understatement.

The understatement of the century. But how did I tell him that without sounding selfish?

If he needed something more—something different—who was I to stop him?

Eva just stood there staring at me, waiting for an answer, and I realized I’d been silent for way too long.

“I don’t know.” I tried to sound casual. “I’ll figure out something to do. I hadn’t thought about it.”

“Logan, sweetheart,” she began quietly. She sat down on the bed next to me, her palm rubbing up and down my thigh for comfort. “Do you think that maybe it’s time for that kiss?”

“What?” I frowned. That wasn’t what I was thinking.

“I know you’ve been conflicted about him knowing and about involving him,” she continued, her tone gentle.

“But this began with Elliot. We’ve talked a lot about how your attraction is formed, and while you don’t wholly understand it, it’s obvious that it’s not about what a person looks like.

It’s about the person. And this… this is about Elliot.

You two have been inseparable since you were kids.

He followed you across the country. It’s no wonder you’re in love with him. ”

“I’m not…” My voice trailed off. Why did that keep coming up? First Amelia, now Eva. I wasn’t in love with him. At least, I was fairly certain I wasn’t. “I’m not in love with Elliot.”

Everything in her expression told me that she didn’t believe a damn word that came out of my mouth.

“ It’s something to think about,” she said. “Do you want me to stay home? I don’t mind in the slightest, and Rhett would understand. We can sit around and mope together if you’d like.”

“No, no.” I shook my head. There was no reason for her to sit with me while I moped and tried not to think about this conversation. “You go. It’ll be okay.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m positive, Eva.”

“Okay.” Her lips brushed against my cheek briefly before she headed to the bathroom. “So, Katy’s friend started a book group. Spicy books and mimosas—though, the way she tells it, it sounds like it’s more gossip and mimosas.”

“So, drinking and talking,” I replied.

“Exactly. Neutral lips or red?”

“Are you wearing red heels or black?”

“I was thinking black… should I wear red heels?” she asked, her head popping out of the bathroom. “Which would you wear?”

“Neither,” I said with a grin. “But I don’t think I’d look good in your heels.”

“You’d look fabulous in my heels, sweetheart,” Eva teased. “Have you seen your legs? And they’d make that sexy ass pop.”

“Is this your way of telling me you want me to wear your heels?” I frowned.

“God, no,” she scoffed. “Your feet are too big. Which should I wear?”

“Are you wanting to make a statement or opt for something more casual?” Apparently, I’d learned a lot of things randomly over the years from watching her get ready.

“Casual. Let’s go with casual. I don’t have a clue what I’m getting myself into tonight.”

“Black heels, neutral lips.”

“You’re the best husband, I swear,” she quipped before disappearing.

“You’re welcome.” I stared around the bedroom as I waited for her to come back out. I didn’t have a clue what to do. I wanted to just sit here and let my anxiety obsess over this whole Elliot situation.

But there was a tiny little voice in the back of my head trying to tell me that maybe Amelia and Eva were onto something—something I couldn’t figure out for myself.

Maybe I did need to talk to Elliot.

I g lanced at the bathroom. Her music was still going, which meant she’d be in there for a while and left me with time to kill. Time I could use to text Elliot.

What are you up to tonight?

I tapped the side of my phone, staring at the message and hoping to hell he’d respond. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to follow through if I was left on read for hours on end.

ELI : I picked up overtime at another station. They’re down two men. Sorry.

Tomorrow?

ELI : I work all day. Why?

Because my therapist and my wife think I’m in love with you, probably wasn’t an adequate answer. Neither was admitting that I didn’t know what to think of that.

I wanted to see you.

Easy. Simple. Uncomplicated. Shit . My heart pounded hard in my chest. This whole thing was a can of worms waiting to pop.

ELI : You can swing by the station at some point if you want.

I made a face. The station probably wasn’t the best place for a conversation like this. Or maybe it was the best place because my focus would be streamlined and not all over the place.

Okay.

ELI : Maybe text first? Just to make sure we’re not out on a call.

I can do that.

ELI : Okay.

I’ll see you tomorrow, Elliot.

ELI : Night, Logan.

“How do I look?” Eva’s voice pulled me from re-reading the conversation. I looked up and faltered.

“Damn,” I whispered. Simple makeup made her blue eyes pop something incredible.

Her dark hair was down and wayward in curls she let fly free.

There was a glow to her—something happy and indescribable.

I hadn’t seen that on her in a long time.

For a minute, it was like looking into the past. There was a glimpse of Eva as she used to be—wild and carefree—before she changed to fit a mold. That thought alone made me smile.

“Is this like a good damn? Or a bad damn? A… get the fuck back in the closet and find something else to wear kind of damn?” she demanded, her hands moving rapidly as she spoke. “I’m going to need more from you, Logan.”

“No!” I shook my head quickly. “You look stunning, Eva. I mean that. Don’t change a thing.”

“Okay,” she beamed. Closing the distance between us, her hands landed on my shoulders, and she gave me a quick kiss. “I love you, I’ll let you know if I’m staying out for the night, and I’ll let you know if I need bail money.”

“Let’s not make that part a regular thing,” I replied and kissed her once more. “Have fun tonight.”

“I will.”

“ Check the hallway closet!” I called after her when she left the room. “I bought you something.”

“Oh, presents! What is it?” Eva asked, but I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to. Her happy squeals told me she found it.

What I didn’t expect was the full-body tackle I received when she hurried right back into the room. I lost my balance, sending both of us tumbling back onto the bed.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She hugged me tight, her hair everywhere, and her delicate perfume enveloping me. I wrapped my arms around her as I chuckled. Who knew a leather jacket would elicit such an enthusiastic response from her?

“You used to have one years ago,” I said with an attempt at a shrug around her fierce hold. “Especially with Rhett having a bike, you could use one again. There are a few more on the way in a couple of different colors. The black was—”

“There are colors?” Her mouth crashed into mine enthusiastically. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“You’re welcome,” I replied. “Now, get out of here before you’re late for your date.”

“Love you!” With one last quick peck, Eva pushed off me, straightened her skirt, and rushed out of the room. Over her shoulder, she yelled, “Talk to Elliot, sweetheart!”

“I’ll think about it,” I said, but I wasn’t sure she even heard me.