Page 46 of All Bets are Off

“No problem, I’ve got this.” I smile at her as the waiter takes my credit card. “This has been nice. Thanks for suggesting it.”

She nods. “I don’t know many people here yet. I’m so glad I ran into you.”

On our way back, we pass an ice cream shop, and Anna suggests we get a cone to eat while we walk back to our cars. When we walk into the shop, I’m startled to spot Logan sitting at a booth with Colt, sharing a banana split of all things. At that moment, Logan looks up and our eyes meet. His drift to Anna, and mine to Colt.

“Hey, there’s your friend,” Anna says, waving at them. We wander to their table.

“What are you guys doing in Newburg?” I ask.

“Mom was having a bad night. Colt offered to drive here with me, and, well, we wanted ice cream. Did you two have a nice catch up?”

“It was great,” Anna says, slipping her arm through mine. “I’ve missed this guy so much.”

Colt looks at Logan, who smiles politely and turns back to the ice cream.

“I’m going to get pink bubble gum. What do you want, West?” Anna turns to me.

“Uh, a scoop of chocolate.”

“Okay. Be right back. I’ll buy since you got dinner.” She goes to the counter, and I turn back to Logan and Colt.

“Is Gloria okay?” I ask.

“She was angry I wasn’t you,” Logan says around a bite of strawberry ice cream. “She got so upset, we wound up leaving.”

“Sorry.” I don’t know what else to say. And then I remember I forgot to order something for Logan at the restaurant.

“God, Logan, I completely forgot your food. Let me pick you up something on the way home. What would you like?”

“That’s not necessary. I’m eating all this ice cream, anyway. Listen. If you want to do something for me, would it be too much to run up and see Mom? She wouldn’t stop talking about you.”

“Of course. I’d love to do that.”

Anna returns with our ice cream, and we leave, eating as we walk back to Garden Oasis.

“Want to follow me to my apartment for a drink?” Anna asks when we reach our cars. “I don’t live far from here.”

“I need to go upstairs and visit Gloria, but it was great seeing you and catching up, Anna.”

“I’d love to go out again sometime. Like I said, I don’t know many people here.”

“My schedule’s pretty busy, but we’ll see. Goodnight.” I walk away and into the cool air-conditioned building.

On the elevator, I think about seeing Logan and Colt at the ice cream shop. Logan was smiling, despite the fact that he had to be disturbed about the visit with his mother. I hated the way at that moment it felt like Anna and I were a couple and Logan was with Colt. I wanted to drag Logan away and take him home with me, but I couldn’t because of Anna.

Stopping at Gloria’s door, I knock softly.

“West! What a nice surprise. Gloria’s just gone to sleep, or she would be thrilled to see you,” Donna says.

“I’ll visit her another time,” I promise, and leave to go home, feeling out of sorts.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Logan

I’ve read enough about dementia to know it can completely change a person’s character. But that doesn’t make it any easier to have lost my mother’s love in a matter of days. When I get home, I take a swim in the pool to exhaust myself before showering and putting on some comfortable clothes. Seeing West with Anna hurt, even though I knew about their dinner together. I didn’t like the proprietary way Anna hooked her arm with his and was relieved when they left. Colt had given me a sympathetic look but hadn’t commented, and soon after, we left for home.

With a sigh, I flop down on my bed, thinking I won’t be able to sleep, but I must drift off because suddenly I’m wide awake and aware someone’s in my room.

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