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I step back, granting him entrance and closing the door behind him. He hands over the pizza and breadsticks before bending down to remove his work boots. I’m struck with a wave of sadness as I realize how much I’ve missed seeing those boots by the door, even in just a couple short days.
When he takes off his coat and sets it on the back of the couch, we walk to the kitchen together. “What can I get you to drink? I have water, green tea, or juice,” I tell him.
“Tea sounds good.”
I pull the jug out of the fridge and pour two glasses, while Logan grabs two paper plates. When I join him at the table, he has a slice of ham and mushroom pizza on my plate and two slices on his. He doesn’t say a word as he pulls the soft breadsticks apart and sets two in front of me and hands over the cup of cheddar cheese sauce. Like the weirdo he is, he doesn’t dip his breadsticks into any sauce, choosing to eat them dry like a psychopath.
We’re silent as we dive into the food. I have both of my breadsticks consumed and am reaching for my slice of pizza before he finally speaks. “I had an interesting day.”
“Yeah?” I ask before taking my bite. “Mine was a little chaotic.”
“Tell me about yours first,” he states, wiping the corners of his mouth before he takes another bite of pizza.
“It wasn’t bad, just the kids were wound up today. It took almost the entire class time before they were able to settle down and concentrate on learning,” I tell him with a shrug, leaving out the part about my own mind being distracted.
“I’m sure some days are like that,” he says. “Especially after the weekend.”
I nod. “You’re right. Mondays can be the hardest.” After taking another bite of my pizza, I ask, “So tell me about your day.”
Logan sets his half-eaten slice of pizza down on his plate and smiles. “I bought the remaining half of the business today.”
My mouth falls open as I absorb his words. “What? Seriously? She sold it to you?”
His grin sets my heart off with a wild pitter-patter beat, but I ignore it, trying to remain focused. He tells me about waking up at two this morning by the notification of movement within the building and watching her steal money. He goes on to detail the confrontation and about how she didn’t want to sign the papers but opted to do that and take the money. The other option of possible jail time didn’t sit well with her, as I expected it wouldn’t.
“Holy shit, I can’t believe she did that,” I say when he’s done telling me all about it.
“Honestly, me either. She has always been self-absorbed and high maintenance, but I didn’t peg her for a thief.” The look in his eyes is a little sad, and I’m sure he feels her betrayal deeply.
“I’m sorry.”
He shrugs his broad shoulders and holds my gaze. The room is suddenly a little warmer than it was before as he stares across the table at me.
My throat is thick and dry, but I somehow manage to say, “I’m happy for you. Looks like you finally got everything you wanted.”
Logan stands up and is moving almost as soon as I have the words out. My eyes widen as he drops to his knees beside me and takes my hands in his. “Wrong. There’s something big and important I’m missing.”
Air stalls in my lungs, and I find it hard to breathe. “There is?” I whisper, a bubble of hope erupting in my chest.
“Yeah. You,” he tells me, reaching up and cupping my cheek with his warm hand. “My life is missing you, Hallie. You and our baby. You’re giving me so much by having my baby, but I realized when you left it’s not enough. I want more. I want you.”
He blurs, thanks to the tears filling my eyes. “You do?” I croak out.
Sliding the pads of his thumbs across my cheek, he brushes away the tears that start to fall. “I do, because I love you.”
His words are like an arrow straight to my heart but in a good way. Elation and joy fill my entire being as I reach for him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders and pulling him as close to me as possible. “I love you too,” I insist quickly, afraid he’ll take the words back if I don’t get mine out as rapidly.
He chuckles and hugs me back. Then, he suddenly stands, takes my hands, and helps me stand before him. With the softest touch of his lips, he brushes his mouth across mine. “Say it again.”
Smiling, I murmur, “I love you too.”
“Yeah, you do,” he retorts, making me laugh.
“Never mind. I take it back.”
“Nope, no takebacks, Cupcake. You love me.” He slips his hand between us and rests it on my baby bump.
Smiling up at him, I shake my head. “Fine, I don’t take it back, but only because you love me too.”
