Page 110 of Mine to Love

“Take your time, sweetheart. Your man looks like he’s in no hurry.”

“He’s not my man.”

“Oh, but he could be if you only gave him the chance.”

I snort. “What’s with you and matchmaking?”

“I knew Ronnie was the one when I first saw him at the Blackened Catfish Diner downtown. Thirty years later and he still makes my heart swoon. That tall drink of water reminds me of him.”

I’ve met Ronnie a few times. The short, stocky, balding man reminds me nothing of Logan. “Seriously?”

“Oh, not so much in the looks department, although my Ronnie was a looker in his day. It’s in the eyes. A man who stares that intently as if the world could be blowing up around him and nothing else matters but the woman in front of him is a keeper. And that’s how your tall Romeo looks at you.”

“Romeo was a thirteen-year-old kid who killed himself because he was a spoiled rich boy. It’s not a love story.”

“I don’t mean it in the Shakespearean way. More a Greek God.”

“Greek Gods are known for their infidelity.”

“Reese, you’re being difficult.” Connie gives me a shove. “Go meet your Prince Charming.”

“Who needed a shoe to figure out who he was destined to be with.”

“My goodness. You need more romance in your life.”

“Ready?” Logan asks. His mischievous grin tells me he heard Candice’s last statement. “Your chariot awaits.”

He keeps his hand at a respectable place on my lower back as he guides me across the street to the sandwich shop. We place our orders and fill our drinks while we wait for our subs. Once seated, I expect him to continue where he left off on Sunday.

I eat half my sandwich before he finally speaks. “How do you like your new job?”

I toy with the straw, swirling it around in my soda before answering. “Hours are good. Predictable. People are nice. Some are a little nosy at times.”

Logan chuckles. “They’re fortunate to have you on staff.”

I’m not making much more than minimum wage. Eventually when I move over to loan officer my salary will increase. Nothing like I was making at LP, but I’m also not sleeping with my boss.

“How are your parents?” I hadn’t planned on asking about them. Emerson and Cami can answer those questions, but I don’t know what else to say or what direction to lead our conversation.

“Happy I’m home.”

“They must like you staying with them when you’re in Maine.”

“I’m pretty sure they’re growing tired of me.”

I pick up my sandwich and lower my brows. “I doubt that. They love your visits.”

“Right. When I was visiting. I’ve been living with them for three weeks now. They tell me I’m too old to be mooching off them but won’t accept rent.”

My turkey and cheese catches in my throat. “Living?” I choke and gulp my soda.

“I’m done with Austin.” He wipes his hands on his napkin and opens his bag of chips like he hadn’t revealed a life-changing secret.

“What?”

“Yup. Sold my shares of Pierce Financials. Stepped down as CEO. I’m even stepping down as president of the credit union. My role was only temporary anyway. Help steer them in the right direction and teach management how to keep their customers and employees happy. I’m fully vested in LP Financials now.”

I need a moment to process. Of course. It all makes sense now. How could he have been traveling back and forth and still leaving notes on and flowers on my car every day, and come into the bank every day this week?

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