Page 35 of Breathless

Logan

After being trappedin my truck for hours with Renee and her yappy friend Wendy, I’m grateful for the comfortable silence between me and Joey as we unload her truck and then mine. Rambo trots happily at her feet, his black leash occasionally jerking one direction and then the next when he gets excited by thecommotion.

Our party has commandeered the lawn in front of the condos, which consist of five houses on enormous stilts. We’ll be occupying three this weekend. Tori’s friends are in one, Ethan’s in another, and mine in athird.

Tori is handing out room assignments and keys to the houses when Jo and I finally get a chance to talk to her and figure out where we’ll bestaying.

“Okay, guys, I have two options for you.” Tori taps her chin as she studies her clipboard. “Jo can have the couch at my house and Logan can have a twin bed at Ethan’s, or you can share a room at Patrick’s. He just told me there was space.” She winces at me. “I know I said I’d get you both rooms, but one of Ethan’s college buddies showed up out of the blue with his girlfriend, and I’d feel weird making them sleep in the living room. So I had to shuffle everyone around. I’m so sorry. Don’t bemad.”

Joey shrugs. “No big deal. I’ll take anything. You know you don’t have to stress about me. This weekend is about you and Ethan. Don’t worry on myaccount.”

I’m not entirely sure what I paid for when I gave Tori a check earlier this week. While I don’t want to make any trouble since she’s busting her ass to make this fun for everyone when it’s her own damn wedding party, I’m not excited about Jo sleeping on acouch.

Before I let myself think too hard about it, I opt for the easiest solution. “I’m not mad, Tor. You’re doing your best, and this place is awesome. We’ll share the room at Patrick’s.” She gives me a grateful smile. I turn to Joey. “You okay with that, Bitsy? I promise not to steal thecovers.”

A pretty pink rushes across Joey’s cheeks. “Yeah. That’sfine.”

Rambo jumps between us, and Tori bends over to pethim.

When she stands, she grabs Joey’s arm. “Please tell me Logan finally confessed he bought this puppy foryou.”

Jo’s blush deepens. “He might’ve mentioned it a few minutes ago.” She bites her lower lip to hide hersmile.

But I see it and smileback.

Time seems to stand still as tendrils of her hair flutter around her. She licks her lips, and I watch her tongue swipe her skin, leaving itslick.

Tori looks between us and laughs. “My work here isdone.”

The minute Joey and I are alone, I pull her close to me and whisper in her ear. “I meant what I said about why I bought him for you. Missed you,Jo.”

She’s warm and curvy in the right places, and after that car ride from hell, I’m dying to figure out what’s going on betweenus.

Her arms wrap around my waist, and I rest my chin on her head, loving her sweet floralscent.

“Missed you too, Logan. Thank you for the puppy. I love him so much.” Her words get muffled against my chest, but I don’t care because she’s exactly where I want her tobe.

Now more than ever, I wanna know why she left last December. What did I do? Because the other day she basically confessed I hurt her somehow, and that fucking wrecks me. I’ve tried to put it out of my mind since she’s been back because I didn’t want to pressure her. She might act like she can handle anything, but I know she’s been through a tough time with her grandmother passing. And we’ve been getting along so well this week I didn’t want to rock theboat.

But maybe now’s the time. Maybe tonight, once we’ve had time to relax and unwind, we can finally clear theair.

After one more squeeze, I let her go. “Let’s drop off our stuff in the room and head for the beach. We have two hours before thebarbecue.”

She agrees, and we grab our duffle bags and head up to Patrick’s condo. Except when we reach the front porch, she tugs on my shirt and brings me to astop.

“Is this going to be weird?” She lifts her chin, motioning to the voices coming from the livingroom.

“Why would it be weird? You know everyone as well as Ido.”

She gives me a look that saysreally?

I stare back at her until it sinks in.Renee.

Fuck.

All I was thinking was Joey and I could share a room together. Not that we’d be staying in a condo with Renee. This is what happens when I don’t think thingsthrough.

“Babe, that was a long time ago. It happened once when I was in a bad place, and I swear to God it didn’t meananything.”

---