Page 27 of Arden and the Girl Downstairs

My heart breaks for her; out of everyone, she’s the person I’ve gotten to know the most. Honestly, it was Yasmin that helped me decide to follow through with Ralph’s crazy idea.

“Thank you,” Julia sobs. “Thank you so much.”

I swipe at the rogue tear that falls. Ralph’s grip tightens on my shoulder, providing some extra comfort.

“Yo, what’s happening?” comes a new male voice—one I recognise.

I glance over and see Logan standing in the doorway, wearing nothing but underwear, a straw hula skirt, and a coconut bikini. His outfit is ridiculous . . . and he’s supposed to be working at the bar.

“Not again,” Chad sighs, exasperated. “What are you doing here, Logan? And who is watching the bar?”

“What’s going on here, and why does it look like someone kicked that guy’s cat?” Logan blurts out, pointing at Arden.

“Logan,whois watching the bar?” Chad repeats.

“Chill, Chad dude, Shamus is there,” he drawls.

Julia giggles, which distracts Logan again. “Oh my god, I’m dead,” he says dramatically while moving to sit next to Julia.

“Logan, you aren’t dead. Why the hell are you here, and why is Shamus working the bar?” Chad grits out, quickly losing his patience.

“I am dead because this lady right here is an angel.”

I can’t contain my curiosity. “Angel?”

Logan is ridiculous at the best of times, but this is a new level for him.

“Logan!” Chad yells.

“Chad, dude, no need to yell. Lochlan dropped me off on his way to work. He got called in, and apparently, I’m not allowed to be at the bar on my own at the moment.” He laughs.

“Why the fuck are you not allowed to be at the bar on your own? You are working today. What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything. Doc was in today.”

I finally piece it all together. “Logan, please tell me you didn’t eat anything Doc gave you . . .”

Doc is notorious for shrooms. He asks everyone to try them. No one is stupid enough to take them though—until Logan.

“Of course, I did. That guy is super rad. So, you guys going to tell me why everyone was looking so sad when I walked in, and why my angel was crying? What did you all do to her?”

“She’s not your angel.” Arden’s response is short.

“Uhhh yeah, she is. Have you ever seen a girl so perfect? And who are you?” Logan throws back at Arden.

“I’m her brother. Who are you?”

“Dude, well, you are my future brother-in-law. I’m Logan Van Der Berg.”

“Are you related to Michael Van Der Berg?” Arden asks, ignoring Logan’s brother-in-law comment.

“Yeah, that asshole is my dad. Don’t hold it against me.” He turns to Julia and winks. “Actually, you can hold anything you want against me, as long as it includes your body.”

I try to defuse the situation before it gets out of hand. We have less than half an hour to get Arden to the facility. “We need to go,” I tell him.

He stares at me for a long time, battling whatever demons are fighting in his head. He’s resisting, and I don’t blame him. I have no idea what I’d do in his situation.

“Ummm, sorry to interrupt, but Logan is licking me.”

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