Page 110 of Between You and Me

“Yes. Got a few minutes to talk?” she asked.

“Absolutely.”

She told him everything. How at first she’d yelled at her brothers, then sat them down and told them about her plans and how Logan fit into them. Her brothers had taken it all in stride. They weren’t opposed to the idea like she’d thought they might be, and of course had a million questions, which she’d answered. Then they’d offered her unconditional support—both now, during the process, and later, when she was raising her baby on her own. She felt awful for ever doubting them, in the face of their warmth and unity. All in all, it had gone well, and the four of them were fine.

“I’m really glad for you,” Logan said. “Really. That’s great. You’ll need their support in the future.”

“Yes, I will. But there’s another thing . . .” Tess sighed. “They all tried to call you to apologize. They all said you hadn’t responded at all. Would you please consider it?”

“You mean I’m not fired?” He tried to keep the edge off his voice, but failed.

“Of course not,” she murmured. “Logan . . . they were so out of line, I was furious. But they’re protective of me and always have been. Too protective at times. It doesn’t excuse their behavior this morning. I’m just trying to explain it, not justify it.”

“Tess.” Logan sighed. “I get all that. I do. But the reality is, I’m not a part of your world. Never will be. This morning was . . . well, a good reminder.”

She was quiet for a long time.

“I’m not saying that to hurt you,” he said gently, his own stomach twisting. “But I am just the house manager. And your sperm donor, not your lover. So . . . maybe it was just a good reminder for both of us.”

“I thought you were also my friend,” she said dejectedly.

He winced. “I am. That’s also true, Tess, don’t doubt that.”

“I thought we’d gotten past this a while ago,” she finally said. “When we got to really know each other and became friends. The money thing, the different worlds thing . . . I guess I was wrong. I hate that I was wrong.”

“You weren’t wrong. It’s just . . .” His stomach churned now.

“They really got to you today,” she murmured. “How sad.”

His eyes squeezed shut. “It wasn’t just them,” he said raggedly. “It’s . . . everything right now. Too much going on. My mom . . . Tess, my head’s a little messed up. That’s on me.”

“I’m here for you,” she said. “You know that, right?”

“I know. Thank you.” His jaw clenched. He needed to keep her at arm’s length. He couldn’t want or need her the way he had last night. He couldn’t let himself give in again to how amazing it’d felt to be cared for that way. It would only lead to disaster.

She was quiet again, then ventured, “How’s your mom doing today?”

“Same. Drained, not eating. Waiting to die. It’s wonderful.”

“Logan.”

“I don’t know what to say. How to sugarcoat that.”

“You don’t have to sugarcoat anything with me,” Tess said. “Ever. Don’t you know that too?”

His heart went wobbly. “Yeah. I do. Look, I’m sorry. I’m feeling too raw right now. I think I just need to be alone for a while. Process all this.”

“I understand,” she said, gentle, not pushing or demanding or needy.

He was the needy one. She had no idea.

“It’s the no-sex weeks of your cycle anyway,” he pointed out. “I mean, we broke that rule last night, but—”

“You needed me,” she said softly. “That was about comfort and friendship. Pure and simple. So we sent the rules to hell for one time. No worries.”

God, he loved her. He loved her so much. She was tearing him apart. The more supportive and caring she was, the more it cut off his air. He swallowed hard, his heart rate rising.

“So. Changing the subject. My brothers are staying for another two days,” she said. “The three of them are going skiing tomorrow. I’m so jealous. I can’t go, in case I’m pregnant and don’t know it yet, blah blah blah. You know the drill.”

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