Page 73 of A Summer Mismatch
He definitely didn’t want to recall how wide Julia’s smile had been while texting Logan, before he’d interrupted her and she’d hid her phone screen.
“We’re doing the right thing,” Smitty said firmly.
“It’s what’s best for them in the end,” Horace said, hoping he was convincing at least one of them.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Julia
Julialaidherheadagainst Logan’s shoulder as they swayed to “Come Away With Me.” Around them, couples danced on the portable dance floor spread across the beachy sand.
“This doesn’t feel real,” she said to him. She tipped her head back to take him in—his light brown hair styled to the side, his full mouth a soft whisper of a smile. “Like I’ll wake up tomorrow and it’ll all have been a dream.”
He pressed his mouth to the top of her head. “This is very real, Julia. And I’m not going anywhere.”
She longed to take his hand and drag him back over that bridge and through the trees, away from the crowd, and thoroughly kiss him. The way he kept looking at her in this dress made heralmostglad she’d decided to wear it after all. She still thought she looked ridiculous, but Logan had a way of making her feel like she was the only woman in the room. Or, on the beach, in this case.
One problem remained, though. She knew they were both holding back. Even though this was real, it seemed like a dream, separated just one step from reality because they hadn’t talked about how a relationship between them could actually work.
“What about our grandpas?” she asked. She didn’t want to bring it up, wanted to keep herself immersed in the perfection of the night. But it was like her mind couldn’t settle completely into relaxation with Logan until she’d solved the problem.
“I’ve been thinking about this,” Logan said. “I think the answer is to go slow and steady with them. We’ll win them over to the idea of us eventually.”
“And if we don’t?”
He shook his head. “We will. Nonna already loves you, and Grandpa is sure to come around as soon as he gets to know you better. Horace is going to be a little bit tougher nut to crack, but I’m not going anywhere, so I’ll have a long time to wear him down.”
She smiled and tucked her head back against his chest, loving the sound of his heartbeat tapping against her ear. So close to him like this, she could forget what the future might look like, as long as she pictured Logan in it with her.
Julia had never experienced feelings like this for someone else, and she couldn’t imagine being with anyone else but Logan. With him, anything seemed possible.
“Excuse me.” Someone took her arm and tugged her away from Logan. Logan met her gaze with one of surprise, and she turned to see Timothy standing there.
His brows were drawn low over his eyes, and he looked back and forth between Logan and Julia.
“Hey, man,” Logan said, eying where Timothy still held Julia’s arm. Julia shook off Timothy’s hold.
“Logan, this is Timothy,” she said.
“Her boyfriend.” Timothy extended his hand to take Logan’s in a firm grip. Logan’s eyebrows rose.
“My ex-boyfriend,” Julia corrected.
“Logan’s your ex-boyfriend,” Timothy clarified.
Julia huffed. “You broke up with me, remember?”
“I remember that we’ve been together for a couple of years, and we were taking the summer to cool off.”
“That’s the same thing,” she said, feeling exasperated. A few people looked over at them, and she lowered her voice. “Timothy, can we talk about this another time? Please?”
“I’d really rather clear things up now.” He looked at Logan rudely. “Do you mind?”
Logan widened his stance. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Julia’s heart swelled with appreciation for Logan. She leaned close to him. “Give me a minute? I’ll take care of this.”
“Of course,” Logan said, gently squeezing her hand in solidarity before letting it go. He went back to the table, and she saw him pull his phone from his pocket as he walked.
