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“Did you tell Max about Natalie kissing you?” It hadn’t occurred to me until now to ask him. Natalie risked everything by kissing Logan. Not only was he her boss, but he was also married. I didn’t understand how she fit into all this.

“No.” He sighs. “I didn’t, only because Natalie told me about how hard she’s worked for her career. It was also strange because after she kissed me and I turned her down, it was like she had flipped a switch.”

“What do you mean?”

“She started begging me not to fire her or tell Max.” He walks closer to me, keeping his hands on his hips. He stares at me in thought. “Why would Natalie jeopardize her entire career by kissing me, then beg me not to tell anyone? It may not seem that strange, but I can’t seem to forget what she said to me that night.”

“What did she say?”

“She said she didn’t expect to fall in love with the job.” Logan groans. “Maybe I’m overthinking it. Right?”

“I don’t know.” I twist my mouth in thought.

He sits back down in his chair, his expression still clouded in thought. Nothing made sense anymore, but I couldn’t deny the relief I felt. It felt good to finally get everything out in the open with Logan. My demons weren’t mine anymore. Logan and I have been riding on two separate waves, unknowingly. They were the same current, same temperature. Now, our waves had crashed into one another, we’re riding them out together.

I sit up from my chair and stand in front of Logan. He lifts his head, looking up at me. Placing both my hands around Logan’s face, I brush my fingers in his long hair.

“Thank you for coming back to me,” he says, the sun reflecting in his eyes.

“There was never any question I was coming back, Logan.” He wraps his hands around the back of my legs. My skin tingles feeling him so close. He pulls me closer to him, parting his legs farther. “I just needed some time.”

“I missed you when you weren’t here. I want you around.”

“I was safe with Abby,” I reassure him. “But I missed you too.”

He narrows his eyes, leaning into my touch. “Do you think we should tell Abby we think Julian could be around?”

I sigh. Just like with Logan, I didn’t want to burden Abby with the possibility of Julian being back. But she deserves to know. “I’ll tell her. In fact, I should text her since I left without saying goodbye this morning.”

His hands slide up the back of my thighs, his fingers trailing underneath the fabric of my shorts. Goose bumps dot the surface of my skin and I breathe Logan in.

I wasn’t sure where we were going from here or how we would handle Julian being back. But one thing I knew was that Julian had been unsuccessful in his attempt at tearing us apart. Logan and I were finally on the same page, and this time we weren’t running. We were facing this head on.

Twenty-Two

Lena

The smell of whiskey makes me want to hurl.

I scrunch my nose, the scent of malted yeast and smoked oak lingering in the air. Abby insisted on meeting at the pub near downtown. I found it odd considering she knew I’d never been big on drinking.

Whiskey reminded me of Julian, and he was the last person I wanted to feel connected to when I talked to Abby about the prospect of him being back. In a twisted way, I guess it was fitting.

I’m sitting at one of the tall tables centered in the middle of the pub. The rich dark wood and barstools only seem to intensify the smell. The aroma of liquor sealed into the grain. The pub is busy, most of the bar lined with middle-age men donned with large beards and round bellies, the occasional younger suited man sandwiched between. There’s an eclectic range of patrons, including me.

The vodka soda I ordered twenty minutes ago is already watered down. I swirl my straw into the mixture, the small remnants of ice melting away. When I spot Abby entering the front door, I sigh with relief.

Abby stands in the doorway, scanning the room. She spots me and starts weaving between the tables standing between us. Her purse is hooked on to her bent arm, slapping against the backs of people’s chairs. She keeps her focus on her walk, never quite meeting my eye. I can sense she’s still upset with me after leaving yesterday morning.

Her reply to my text asking to meet was short and to the point. Only stating where and when she would be available to meet me. On top of the conversation I needed to have with her, I owed her an apology.

She reaches my table and examines the pub as she removes her hoodie, draping it over the back of her stool. She inhales a deep breath as she climbs into her seat, pursing her lips.

“Thanks for meeting me,” I say.

She shifts her gaze from the table to me. “Yeah. It’s good to know you’re okay.” Her shoulders tense and her gaze wanders, focusing on whatever is over my shoulder behind me.

I sigh, tilting my head to the side. “Abby, I’m sorry I snuck out yesterday morning. You were sound asleep, and I didn’t want to wake you.”

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