Page 61 of A Dash of You

“Morning.” I swallow. “Thank you for last night. You’re truly a great friend.” I sweetly smile, then silently scream at myself.

Fuck. Did I just friend zone Logan? He’s not the type of man you friend zone and I sure in the hell don’t want to put him there. I mean, putting him anywhere else isn’t logical, but saying it aloud makes my stomach turn uneasy. Can I take it back? Reclaim all my earlier words and plead a moment of insanity. Something inside me doesn’t want to be just friends with this man.

I watch him as his face falls in devastation and my heart shatters. Did he feel something for me other than friendship? Or did I imagine the disappointment?

“We better get on the road if we want a good head start,” he tells me without even looking in my direction. He throwsthe covers off, leaving the bed nothing but an empty piece of furniture.

Last night, after he opened up to me about his father, there was a small push from Logan showing his true self. Now, this morning feels like defeat and what little crack I made in his shell glued itself back together.

We awkwardly pack up our things without uttering a word to each other.

Say something, Sora.

Before even opening my mouth, Logan speaks, “Ready?” His eyes are colder than before. Last night they had life. Feeling. Today… not so much.

“Yes. I’m ready.” I sadly smile and we head toward the truck where Lana and Crew are already standing, several feet apart.

This should be an interesting ride.

A group of motorcycles roar past the motel and Logan stops so suddenly I slam into his back.

He and Crew exchange a look before Logan throws his bag into the back.

That’s odd.

Lana leans toward me and whispers, “So how did it go?” She smirks like she’s hoping I’ll confess something juicy involving me and Logan.

“It was fine.” I glance over at the guys, who are in a quiet conversation.

“Just fine?”

“Nothing happened, if that’s what you’re thinking,” I sternly whisper.

“Ugh. Boring.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re ridiculous.” I smile, Lana reciprocating the gesture. “Should I be asking you the same thing?”

There’s a moment of silence. “Over my dead body.” Lana sets her bag down and positions herself in the back.

We all follow suit and when Logan pulls out and continues this weird journey, I stare out my window, deep in thought.

Jason lays a hand on my lower back, leading me to the small group of businessmen circling the standing table. “Gentlemen. I’d like you to meet my wife, Sora.”

The three older men, same age as my husband, grin widely my way. Each one wearing an equally expensive suit which is tailored to them perfectly. They all present themselves in the same boring business fashion, sporting a glass of scotch on the rocks. One of Jason’s favorites.

That’s when I plaster on my normal fake smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all.” I take turns shaking hands with them, but the last man flashes a grin, gripping my hand tighter than needed.

“You’re right, Jason. She is lovely. A masterpiece,” the one named Dennis, who still holds my hand hostage, says. He takes his fine time, tracing me up and down before licking his lips like an animal.

“She is, isn’t she?” My husband takes a moment to admire me himself. “We’ll discuss the details later.”

There it is. Suddenly, the room feels like it is shrinking.

“Looking forward to it,” Dennis, without taking his eyes off me, knowingly sneers this time.

I’m going to be sick.

Jason walks us over to the bar as the light piano sounds in the distance. “I have a few things to discuss with the Parkers. You’ll be okay, won’t you, darling?” Jason takes a dainty sip of his scotch.

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