Page 53 of Dating and Dragons

I glance around, but Caden is nowhere to be seen, thank god. “People from my old group showed up here—the ones I told you about. I didn’t want to talk to them so, well, I ran off and hid.” Another wave of embarrassment washes over me. “Not my proudest moment, but Logan was nice enough to hide with me.”

Any confusion or worry drops from her face. “Are you freaking kidding me? They’rehere?” She whips her head around. “Point me in the right direction so I can tell them off!”

“My thoughts exactly,” Logan mutters.

“They’re gone now—don’t worry about it. I’ve already gotten the best revenge, which is you all.”

Kashvi, Logan, the whole group—they’re all so good. I can’t lose them. Even if it means I can never have him.

Chapter Eighteen

It turns out Kashvi was looking for us because we won group costume. Winning means matching winner buttons, a lot of photos for the store’s social media, and gift certificates for store merchandise. We’ve pretty much done everything there is to do, so we head out after that. I’m already anticipating a potentially torturous ride back next to Logan, but he calls Sanjiv to the back with him to look at comics, so I ride next to Kashvi instead. I’m both relieved and disappointed. I’m the worst hypocrite, but I can’t help wanting to spend every second I can get next to Logan.

I recommend us listening to my favorite D&D podcast—The Smiling DM—rather than have everyone fight over music choices, and soon the whole car is laughing along with Stephanie and the zany campaign she’s put together. I’m glad they all like it as much as I do, but it’s hard to fully concentrate when I know Logan is right behind me. His words echo through my mind.

Then I’d have pressed you against that door and kissed you until the sun went down and I was your only source of heat.

How can a person have a logical thought when that sentence is on their mind?

“Does anyone want to hang out?” Mark asks when we’re back at his house. “Maybe a frozen pizza and a game ofCatan?”

“I’m in,” Sanjiv replies. He’s always up for everything.

Sloane and Logan both shake their heads. “Work,” Sloane explains. “But come by if you want more pancakes.”

“Same,” Logan says. “I’m closing tonight.”

“Who buys ice cream in the middle of winter?” Sanjivasks.

“You’d be surprised.” Logan rolls his eyes.

Another gust of cold air hits my back and I shiver. “Sorry, I want to get home and into something soft and warm.”

“I can drive you,” Logan says immediately.

My heart leaps in my chest. That sounds simultaneously like the best and worst decision.

“You just said you have to work,” I argue. “It’ll be out of your way.”

“Your house isn’t that far from the shop.”

Can everyone else feel the heat of his words? It’s like they’re pressing into my skin.

“I’m happy to drive you, too, if you need a ride,” Kashvisays.

“If you don’t mind,” I tell her, and give Logan a small smile—careful not to meet his eye for more than a moment—before saying goodbye to everyone.

Kashvi and I spend the first few minutes of the drive rehashing the day, particularly our favorite costumes from the other customers. Mine was probably the blond girl dressed as a brightly colored bard complete with her own lute.

“How are you feeling after your run-in?” Kashvi asks. “It must have been horrible seeing your old friends again likethat.”

I slump into the seat a bit more. “Yeah, it was. I didn’t talk to Caden, thank god. But I couldn’t avoid Paige.”

“Did she sound apologetic at all?”

“The exact opposite, actually.”

I kick myself again for the missed opportunity to say everything I’ve wanted to. I could have told her how grateful I am now that she’s out of my life. That it felt like cutting out a sore that was rotting me from the inside. That nothing had changed for me without her, except I was happier. Although, given the fact that I was practically hyperventilating in the corner after talking to her for a few minutes, she clearly still has an effect on me.

---