Page 94 of Misfortune and Mr. Right

“No. The beginning of an amazing future.”

I glance away from Logan, and he places his fingertips under my chin, turning my face toward his.

“That’s what I want too, Olivia. A future with you. I know that’s a lot to say right now, but we’re not meeting for the first time. You’re not just a coworker I developed an attraction to or a neighbor who caught my eye a month ago. You’ve been a part of my life for nearly as long as I can remember. I know you. And I can’t imagine wanting anyone else.”

“You don’t mess around, do you, Alexander?”

“Call me Logan, just for this.”

“I’m sorry. This is just … a lot. I’ve been running away from you as fast as I could. When I finally stopped running, I saw you for who you are. It’s overwhelming, a bit embarrassing, and a little confusing. But also … amazing. If you are all that you seem to be, I can’t even believe you want me the way you do.”

Logan leans in and kisses my forehead—one soft kiss, placed carefully. My eyes flutter shut, and I sigh. Then he kisses my cheeks, one at a time. When his mouth finds mine, he deftly takes the ice cream bowl out of my hands and kisses me in earnest. He lifts me in one swift motion, and as proficiently as he does everything else in life, he pulls me onto his lap so I’m sideways, my legs extending in front of me, our mouths still connected in a kiss I’ll remember until the day I die.

He runs his hands through my hair, pulling his face back just far enough that we can look into one another’s eyes.

“You are the only woman who challenges me like you do. You’re brilliant, feisty, spirited, but you're also tender, thoughtful, and loyal. I finally woke up to something I’d been dancing around for a long time. You are the only one I want. I know you, Olivia. And you are it for me.”

He kisses me again. His kiss is full of promise and longing, confirming every declaration.

When we separate, I nestle my head on Logan’s shoulder, and he rubs his hand up and down my back.

“It’s a lot to absorb,” I say softly, bleeding the wound so we can move past the residue left in my heart as soon as possible.

“I get it,” Logan says softly. His words vibrate through his chest, rumbling against my cheek. “If the shoe were on the other foot and I discovered you liked me after all we’ve been to one another, I’d be floored and off-kilter for a while too. You’ve got time. Take all you need to get used to this new thing between us. I’m not going anywhere.”

“So …” I tip my head up to look into Logan’s eyes. “What is this new thing, exactly?”

“Ready to DTR so soon, Pennington?” he jokes.

“I kind of need to.”

“How about you tell me?”

“Are you letting me take charge, Alexander?”

He chuckles. “Yeah. I want you to tell me. What do you want here?”

I look at him. “I want you. I want to give this a shot. it might take a little adjustment for me to overcome my fears, but I want this. I want us.”

“Exclusively?”

“It’s not like I’ve got guys banging down my door.”

“Not the point.” He’s back in serious stoic mode, but this time I see him differently. He’s not shutting me out. He’s focused, intent, maybe even as petrified as I am.

“Exclusively,” I assure him. “Just you. You’re it for me, Logan.”

He gives me a broad, relieved smile. And his eyes take on that hungry look again.

“It’s a good thing I’m a master at pacing,” he says with a softer smile.

“What aren’t you a master at?” I tease him.

“Showing you how sorry I am.”

“I think you’ve done a pretty stellar job at that too.”

Instead of saying anything else, he leans in and kisses me softly. This kiss is patient, tender, comfortable. It’s like coming home—coming home to Logan Alexander.

---