Page 51 of Dating and Dragons

“What?” Logan stands with me. “Why?”

“I’ve got to go. I can’t be here.” I toss the last of my sandwich in the trash and sprint through the parking lot. I have no thoughts other thanescape.I don’t think Caden noticed me yet, but I can’t be sure. I catch sight of a stairwell that leads down to the basement of the comic shop, partially blocked by the dumpster. I race down the few steps until I’m hidden from view.

Logan stands at street level, his eyes wide and worried. He crosses his arms over his chest.

“Quinn, what the hell is going on? Are you hiding from someone?”

“Just—” I wave for him to come down. “Don’t stand there calling attention to yourself.”

He looks around in confusion and then comes to stand next to me. It’s tight quarters, the space just wide enough for a doorway. I step back to give him some room and squeeze my eyes shut with embarrassment.

“Why are we standing in a dirty doorway right now?”

I sniffle and drop my head into my hands. Why did Caden and Paige have to come here today? She’s probably already told him about our conversation. They laughed about it and texted the others to tell them, unless Travis and Makayla are somewhere around here too.

Logan takes my elbow. “Okay, I’m not sure what’s happening, but this is weird and we should go.”

I pull away. “I can’t see him right now.”

“Seewho?”

“Caden—one of the ex-friends from my old school.”

“He’s here?” Logan moves like he’s going to climb up the stairs to look around.

I jerk him back. “Don’t call attention to us. The last thing I need is to hear his opinions about this costume after already running into Paige.”

“What could he possibly say other than you’re gorgeous?”

Logan’s expression is confused, almost naïve. I rub my eyes with the backs of my hands.

“He could say a lot, Logan. He already thinks I’m a tease, so seeing me walking around wearingthiswould definitely bring out more observations about how I encouraged his feelings for me and then laid waste to him and the group.” I rub my hands down my thighs. “I shouldn’t have worn this stupid costume. It’s too tight. It calls attention to me like a bullhorn.”

“No, stop.” Logan steps closer and takes hold of my arms. “Listen to me. I don’t know what this guy’s problem is, but it’shisproblem. Not yours. You don’t need to change your clothes or what you say or how you act because of him. You’re not doing anything wrong.”

“And would you say the same thing if I kissed you and then told you I wasn’t interested?” My gaze collides with his, defiance and fear swirling through me.

“Yes.”He studies me. “You don’t owe me anything, Quinn. Not now. Not ever.”

I squeeze my eyes shut to keep the tears away.

“You shouldn’t be the one hiding behind the trash.”

His words make me shake. I’ve been trying so hard toforget everything and start fresh, but I can’t forget it all. And I don’t want to march up to Caden and tell him off either. I don’t want to interact with any of them ever again.

But rather than say all that, I only take a step toward the basement door.

“Okay.” Logan’s voice is just a whisper now. He pulls his cloak tightly around me like it’s a blanket he can wrap me in. “It’s fine. We’ll do whatever you want.”

“I know I look like such a loser, hiding behind a dumpster like this. You don’t have to stay with me.”

His nostrils flare. “I’m not leaving you. The only place I want to be is next to you.”

“Logan…you shouldn’t say things like that.” I shake my head. “What happened to the group rules? And you saying you shouldn’t be around me? I can’t figure out what’s going on with us.”

“I can’t either.”

I look up to the sky and blow out a frustrated breath. “Then that’s even worse.”

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