Page 80 of A Dash of You

“Oh my God. Aren’t you too young to be talking like that?” She isn’t, but still.

“I’m just saying. He is fine.” Olivia walks away, busying herself with something and I’m left wiping the same spot on the counter while gawking heavily at Logan.

He bites into his scone and then licks a piece of crumb off his full bottom lip. My heart stutters when his eyes lock with mine, as I’m still pretending to clean. When he takes a sip of coffee, his eyes never leave mine. It’s paralyzing, enough to bring me to my knees.

“I stand by my words,” Olivia whispers close to my ear as she heads to the back, giggling.

Logan might look at me with lust, but that doesn’t mean he feels deeply for me. It could just be a mutual physical attraction.

I spin, grabbing the tray of dirty dishes, almost crashing right into Olivia. The glasses clink and clank together.

I’m still jumpy.

“Oh! I forgot to tell you. A man came in looking for you the other day.”

I freeze.

She wipes down the counter. “That rude ass customer reminded me. It must have been because they both wore suits. Though the other guy was older, and definitely better looking.”

Still holding the tray, my breathing staggers, and I strain trying to catch my breath. “Did he give a name?” I ask, trying to mask the fear in my voice.

Olivia hums. “He wouldn’t say, which was kind of weird. But he was tall. Older. His suit looked expensive. Bought coffee with a splash of cream, no sugar. Men like that don’t come around here very often.”

It’s like time ceases to exist.

The tray suddenly drops from my grip, and dishes crash to the floor, shattering into pieces. The world around me spins, and everything turns muffled, like I’m underwater.

Drowning.

Unable to breathe.

Then… my vision speckles, and I think I am about to faint.

Twenty-Six

Stars impair my vision, but before the darkness can overtake me, powerful arms wrap around my body, and I fall into them.

“Sora?” Logan’s deep, frightened voice seems so far, yet I know he’s the one holding me.

As I’m being guided to a chair, my vision slowly returns.

“I’ll go get some water.” That’s Olivia talking, and I hear the water turn on.

“Slow deep breaths, dove. Slow deep breaths.” Logan’s face comes into view. His perfectly handsome face and his blue eyes. God, those eyes are magic. He’s kneeling in front of me, his hands gripping my knees gently but firm enough to bring me back to.

My mouth won’t form words.

“Here.” Olivia comes back, handing Logan the glass of water.

He leans in, taking my face in his hand. “Drink, Sora.”

Our hands brush each other and I’m okay.

I follow Logan’s words, taking calculated breaths. Then the room stops moving, and I’m left staring into a pair of crystal blues.

“Sora.” Logan’s hand caresses my cheek, and I lean into it, seeking comfort behind his touch. “Talk to me.”

Everything I fear is coming to life. But what did I expect? That I can just run away and live happily ever after in a new life, pretending that my old one doesn’t exist. It doesn’t work that way and I’m an idiot living such a lie.

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