Page 64 of When You Left Me Speechless

He tries to tip my chin up for a kiss, and I spin out of his arms, suddenly feeling like this whole celebration was a terrible idea. I head out of my room towards my kitchen.

“Fine,” he yells behind me. “But I’m going to add dessert to our list of approved activities.”

Logan follows me to my kitchen and watches as I cut each of us a piece of the double chocolate cake. I set the plate in front of him and sit across the table.

“How did you know chocolate was my favorite?”

“Just a guess,” I smile.

“Thanks for the cake,” he says after he swallows a huge bite.

“Don’t worry about it, seriously.”

“Do I get a present too?” A big, goofy grin is plastered across his face.

“It’s not your birthday. You don’t get presents for getting a job.” I let out a small giggle and take a bite of the chocolatey dessert. “Besides, I wouldn’t know what to buy you.”

“You could give me a ticket.”

“I’m a broke grad student. Do you think I can afford to buy you concert tickets?”

“No, but you could give me a ticket to see you graduate. I am helping you study now, so I think I deserve to go.”

I instantly shovel the rest of my slice into my mouth. I wasn’t expecting him to say that. I can tell he’s teasing, or at least I think he is. There is a slight undertone to his voice that is dead serious, like if I got him a ticket, he would be there in a heartbeat.

Visions of him at my graduation, meeting my parents, and meeting Olive spin around my head. It seems personal. It seems serious.It can not happen. It will not happen.I might not know if he is joking, but I know I went too far tonight. I shouldn’t have made him this damn cake.

“Oh, um, I only get a set number of tickets, and I don’t have any extra.” I do get a set number, but I get to request the number of tickets I need, and I know I won’t be getting one for him.

He stands from the table and places his plate in the dishwasher. “Relax, chatterbox, you don’t have to get me a present. The cake was delicious.” He walks over, kisses my forehead, and then leaves.

CHAPTER 41: TRUTH OR DARE

LOGAN

Iwalk around the shelves that line the extra classroom at the back of the school, taking inventory of what needs to be done today. The Pecan Grove food pantry is a complete mess. It’s 8:15 a.m., and I’m the only one here.

When I hung the flyers around the school, I was hoping I would get a couple of volunteers, but to my disappointment, no one has shown up to help me organize the massive amounts of donations we recently received. I hear the door creak open as I round one of the shelves and let out a laugh when I see who has walked in.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to volunteer,” she says.

Her arms are wrapped around a large box, and she’s balancing a cup of coffee with her keys in her hands.

“Here, let me help you.” I stride over and take the coffee and keys. She sets down the box. It is filled to the brim with donations.

“Thank you.” She looks around the very empty room like she is looking for someone and when she finds no one, her eyes meet mine. “Who’s in charge?”

“That would be me, chatterbox.”

Her eyes go wide. “What do you mean that would be you?”

“I’m in charge,” I say as I stroll over, planting a kiss on her forehead. She immediately jumps back.

“Relax, it’s just you and me here. I remember the rules. I wanted to give you a proper hello.”

That makes her smile, and her shoulders seem to relax slightly. “Is anyone else coming?” she asks, looking at her watch and then taking a sip from the large paper cup she’s holding again. “I thought the flier said eight.”

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