Page 73 of Cop Blocked

Ain’t that some shit. I don’t know if I’m feeling relieved or disappointed.

“I do want to know what’s different, though. Why are we so different than what you had with her?”

“Simple. Ensley tried to change me. You’ve accepted me for who I am and let me grow on my terms. I was with her for a long time, and we barely knew each other. With you, I’ve found the missing piece of my soul.”

“You...” she presses her lips to mine, “are everything I could have ever hoped for. Now, we can go back in there and pretend she doesn’t exist, or I can drag you back to our room, and we can spend the night doing our own brand of the tango and check out in time for breakfast with Nana and Piper, without the hangover.”

That’s the perfect opportunity if I ever saw one. “I say we get the fuck out of here.”

THIRTY-EIGHT

Rachel

At Nana’s insistence, we’re having Thanksgiving dinner a week early so that Logan can be here. Since she demanded we let her do the bulk of the cooking, Logan insisted thatwehost. The crazy man even went and bought an artificial Christmas tree and put it up in the living room so that we could decorate it together. He did compromise with a ‘no gifts’ agreement becauseSantais still alive and well in our house. But he argued that he wanted to squeeze in as much as he could before he left, and then had the nerve to blame Nana for giving him the idea.

With all the holiday magic in the air, things already feel bittersweet. I can only imagine how much more somber this year will feel without Logan here.

Hell, we went from zero to one-eighty in a matter of months, but damn if it doesn’t feel like this is how it was meant to be all along.

“You going to be okay?” Nana asks while mixing the cheese into her famous mac and cheese.

The turkey is already in the oven, and Logan’s chasing Piper around the backyard while Nana and I work on all the side dishes.

“Me? I’ll be fine.”

“Hmm. I’m not so sure I believe that, young lady.”

“Nana. We’ll figure it out.”

“It’s a shame he’s leaving tomorrow. He’s been so busy with work; he’s barely gotten to spend time with the two of you.”

I force a chuckle. “Thanks for reminding me.”

“How’s Piper handling all this?”

“Surprisingly well. She’s adjusted to living here instead of our old house, and she’s over the moon about the fact thatwehave kittens now. As for Logan leaving, I’m not sure if she gets it. I’m sure it will sink in when he’s gone, and we don’t hear from him for a while.”

“Good. I’m proud of you, my girl. I know it hasn’t been easy to let Logan into your heart.”

“I never had a choice where he was concerned,” I confess.

“I imagine that boy would say the same about you, dear.”

The backdoor opens, and Logan and Piper walk inside.

“Go wash your hands, please, Piper.”

“Okay, Logan!” She bounces down the hall.

“Everything smells great,” Logan says as he washes his hands at the kitchen sink. “What can I help with?”

“I think we’ve got everything covered now. Why don’t you take your girls and go find a movie to watch while I put this in the oven,” Nana answers.

He wraps his hands around my waist and kisses my cheek, “Sounds like a great idea.”

Cuddled on the couch with Logan and Piper, I take it all in as they get lost in the movie. When Logan starts singing,“Let it Go,”I nearly fall out of my chair in laughter.

He looks over at me and smiles. “I’m gonna miss this.”

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