Page 75 of What Matters Most

“You’ve got the wrong man if you think I’ll do that.”

Tears spilled from Abby’s eyes. “That’s not what I want, and you know it.”

“Then what do you want?” The low question was harsh.

“Time. I…I need to sort through my feelings. When did it become a crime to feel uncertain? I barely know Tate—”

“Time,” Logan interrupted, but the anger in his tone didn’t seem directed at her. “That’s exactly what I’m giving you. Take as long as you need. When you’ve decided what you feel, let me know.”

“But you won’t see me?”

“Seeing you will be unavoidable. Our offices are half a block apart—and we have the softball team.”

“Classes?”

“No. There’s no need for us to go together or to meet each other there.”

Tilting her chin downward, Abby swiped at her tears, trying to quell the rush of hurt. Logan could remove her from his life so effortlessly. His apparent indifference pierced her heart.

Without a word, he drove her back to the apartment building and parked, but didn’t shut off the engine.

“Before you go,” Abby said, her voice quavering, “would you hold me? Just once?”

Logan’s hand tightened on the steering wheel until his knuckles were strained and white. “Do you want a comparison? Is that it?” he asked in a cold, stiff voice.

“No, that wasn’t what I wanted.” She reached for the door handle. “I’m sorry I asked.”

Logan didn’t move. They drew each breath in unison. Unflinching, their eyes held each other’s until Logan, his jaw clenched, hard and proud, became a watery blur and Abby lowered her gaze.

“Call me, Abby. But only when you’re sure.” The words were meant as a dismissal, and the minute she was out of his car, he drove away.

Abby’s knees felt so weak, she sat down as soon as she got inside her apartment. She was stunned. She’d expected Logan to be angry, but she’d never expected this—that he’d refuse to see her again. She’d only tried to be fair. Hurting Logan—or Tate, for that matter—was the last thing she wanted. But how could she possibly know what she felt toward Tate? Everything was still so new. As she’d told Logan, they barely knew each other. They hadn’t so much as kissed. But she and Logan were supposed to be friends…

She moped around the apartment for a couple of hours, then thought she’d pay her parents a visit. Her mother would be as shocked at Logan’s reaction as she’d been. Abby needed reassurance that she’d done the right thing, especially since nothing had worked out as she’d hoped.

The short drive to her parents’ house was accomplished in a matter of minutes. But there was no response to her knock; her parents appeared to be out. Belatedly, Abby recalled her mother saying that they were going camping that weekend.

Abby slumped on the front steps, feeling enervated and depressed. Eventually she returned to her car, without any clear idea of where she should go or what she should do.

Never had a Sunday been so dull. Abby drove around for a time, picked up a hamburger at a drive-in, and washed her car. Without Logan, the day seemed empty.

Lying in bed that night, Dano at her feet, Abby closed her eyes. If she’d missed Logan, he must have felt that same sense of loss. This could work both ways. Logan would soon discover how much of a gap she’d left in his life.

—

The phone rang Monday evening and Abby glanced at it anxiously. It had to be Logan, she thought hopefully. Who else would be calling? She didn’t recognize the number, so maybe he had a new cell, she told herself.

“Hello,” she said cheerfully. If it was Logan, she didn’t want him to get the impression that she was pining away for him.

“Abby, it’s Tate.”

Tate. An unreasonable sense of disappointment filled her. What was the matter with her? This whole mess had come about because she wanted to be with Tate.

“How about a movie Friday evening?”

“I’d like that.” She exhaled softly.

“You don’t sound like yourself. Is something wrong?”

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