Page 111 of Mine to Love

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I’ve been wanting to. You’ve been...busy.”

True. I’ve been blowing him off. And on Sunday, he wasn’t done talking when I walked off, leaving him on the sidewalk. Now, on my lunch break, isn’t the time to have a serious conversation.

“How’s your father?” he asks.

Thankful for the change of subject, I fill him in on my father and Mariah.

“I’m happy for them both.”

“Me too. She’s a wonderful lady.”

“Your eyes have healed from walking in on them months ago?”

I laugh, snorting soda out my nose. “Oh god.” Logan hands me a stack of napkins and I wipe my face. “Thanks for bringing that visual back.”

“I take that as a no then?”

I’m still giggling when I crumple the napkins into my empty sub wrapper. “I’ve learned to knock and not to come by unannounced.”

“Some lessons are easily learned while others take a little longer.”

It feels good to laugh and to not think or talk about such serious matters. When was the last time I had a simple mindless conversation with Logan and laughed? Even before our breakup, our relationship was built on work and sex. Not a lot in between. This is what I need. Casual dates to see if we really are compatible as a couple.

Logan pushes back the cuff of his sleeve. “I should get you back to work or Candice won’t think I’m a Prince Charming anymore.”

“She’s a hopeless romantic.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that.” He stands and takes my coat off the hook at the edge of our booth holding it out for me.

I slide my arms into the sleeves and wrap myself in the warmth of the wool, wishing it was the warmth of Logan’s arms instead. He picks up our trash and tosses it in the garbage on our way out.

We cross the road and linger outside the entrance to the bank. “Thank you for lunch.”

“If you don’t have plans this weekend, I’d like to take you out. Drinks and appetizers or dinner. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

This is a new side of Logan. Normal. Casual. Comfortable. Instead of readily agreeing, I keep my heart and excitement at bay. “Maybe.”

“Maybe you have plans or maybe you’ll go out with me?”

I take in his sweet, vulnerable eyes and give him a flirtatious grin. “Maybe.” I leave him on the sidewalk and go back to work with a smile on my face.

And in my heart.

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