Page 24 of The Playbook

“Whatever.” Lana grabbed another breadstick and bit into it, chewing furiously as Noah leaned in to tease her more.

“Are you having a good time?” Logan asked me as Lana poked at Noah.

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“Good.” His lips twitched up before he went back to his pizza, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he watched Noah and Lana torment one another.

The rest of the night went surprisingly well. Logan laughed easily and got along with Noah like they were best friends. Both of them teased Lana about her flute. He tried to get me to join in, but I was content just listening to everyone. If this was the real Logan, then I supposed he wasn’t that bad. It was no wonder why everyone liked him.

“You need a ride home?” Noah asked, as we rose from our seats after eating everything we’d ordered and laughing for the last hour.

“No. I can take her,” Logan cut in quickly.

Lana cast me a smirk. I gave her a slight shake of my head. Noah threw me a wink before escorting Lana out of the booth.

“Sorry. I just wanted to talk to you,” Logan said sheepishly as we strolled behind Lana and Noah to the parking lot.

I was going to ask what about, but we’d reached the cars.

“See you Monday.” Noah winked at me, shooting a look at Logan, who was busy looking down at his phone.

“I’ll call you,” Lana whispered, giving me a tight hug before climbing into Noah’s car.

I watched as they drove away before turning to Logan who wore a small smile.

“Ready?” He opened the Jeep door for me.

“Yeah. Thanks,” I said, climbing in.

He closed me in quickly and made his way around to the driver’s side.

“I had fun,” he said, starting the Jeep and pulling out of the lot. “Your friends are funny.”

“Thanks. I think they liked you too.”

“The beginning of a beautiful friendship,” he mumbled as his phone rang. Frowning, he answered it. “Yo.”

I tried to look uninterested as I fiddled with the hem of my hoodie.

“Whatever, man,” Logan snorted. “I don’t care. I’m not coming. I’m busy.”

He was quiet for a moment before he laughed. He cast a quick glance my way. “Yeah. You bet your ass I am… OK, man. Later.”

“Sorry,” he apologized, hanging up. “That was Ryan. Said the party is just getting started and we should head over there—”

“I don’t want to,” I said immediately, praying he wouldn’t force it on me. I suddenly wished I’d gone with Noah and Lana.

“I know,” he assured me. “I’m not going to make you. I’m tired anyway. Besides, I’d rather hang out with you.”

I gave him a tight smile, not really believing him, but whatever.

“So. Did I pass the test?” he asked as he turned onto my street a few minutes later.

“You did OK,” I admitted, noting the house was dark. My parents must have called it an early night.

“Does that mean you’ll hang out with me again then?”

“Maybe just once,” I murmured as he pulled into my driveway and cut the engine.

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