Page 16 of A Veteran’s Second Chance

“How are your brothers and sister?” Logan has three step-siblings from his father’s second wife, although they had just separated when we were together.

“Which ones?”

“Oh.” I hand him two wine glasses. “Your dad remarried a third time?” I can’t hide my surprise, then realize I’m being rude. “Sorry, I shouldn’t judge. It’s just, um, surprising.”

He opens the wine and pours two generous glasses.

“Oh yeah. The guy’s terrible at relationships.” He chuckles, as if two failed marriages are a joke, but he doesn’t meet my eyes as he hands me a glass of wine.

“I’ve got two new sisters since I saw you last.”

I take a long sip of wine, wondering how that must feel. The man has left a string of single mothers. Is that why Logan never settled down? Does he fear he’ll be like his dad? Is that why he left me, because it was what he learned a man does? These questions are too big to ask, and I don’t want to know the answers. Instead, I focus on Logan and his siblings.

“So that’s five siblings now. That’s, um, a lot.”

“Yeah, the guy’s an asshole. Six kids from three different wives. The youngest are only six and eight. I’ve only met them once.”

I sip my wine, thinking about the relationship I have with my only sibling. We talk every few days, no matter where in the world she is, and I talk to my parents at least once a week.

“But I don’t want to talk about my father and his regrets. Do you own this place?”

I’m happy to change the subject. While Logan prepares dinner, I tell him about my house, although I stop short of telling him I talk to my plants. He might think I’m weird.

The spaghetti Bolognese is amazing, and I’m genuinely impressed by his cooking skills.

By the time dinner is over, we’ve finished the bottle of wine and the conversation feels easy. I make hot chocolate, and we sit on the sofa. I tuck my feet up, and Logan sits next to me. Panda jumps up and nestles between us. It’s easy, and it’s comfortable, and I’m enjoying Logan’s company way too much. I forgot how funny Logan is and how easily the conversation flows. It’s as if the years haven’t passed at all.

10

LOGAN

Savanna runs a hand absently over Panda’s fur. The cat purrs and looks at me with what resembles a smirk, as if to say you’ve got a long way to go before you get to be the one in her lap.

He’s right. It’s going to take more than one dinner. But the night isn’t over yet. I’ve got another idea of how I can make it up to Savanna, if she’ll let me.

I sip my hot chocolate, and it’s delicious and minty. I like how Savanna still drinks hot chocolate. Everything about her house shows she’s a fully grown-up woman: the tasteful furniture, the houseplants, and the loyal black and white cat. But she still has a sweet tooth, as she always used to.

I put my empty mug on the coffee table and sit back on the couch, this time a little closer to Savanna. My hand goes over the back of the couch, and my fingertips trail over the back of her neck. Savanna gives a little sigh, and she leans into my touch.

I edge closer and accidentally on purpose give Panda a nudge. The cat stretches, then jumps off Savanna’s lap, and I use the opportunity to move closer until our thighs touch.

Savanna turns her head to me, and I’m struck by how beautiful she is. Some strands of hair have escaped her topknot, and I reach behind her and tug the hair tie out of her hair.

“What are you doing?”

“You look nice with your hair down, beautiful.”

She shakes her head, and the tresses fall over her shoulder. “It gets in the way at work.”

“You’re not at work now. And we’re not in your treatment room.”

I lean forward, and her gaze dips to my lips. “And you think that means we can make out?”

I run my fingertip down her cheekbone and over her chin and down her throat, tracing the smooth line of her jaw. She swallows hard, and her eyes dart to mine. There’s desire in her eyes and uncertainty, and I want to kiss that away and make her only feel desire.

“Can we?”

She doesn’t say anything as I tilt her head and press my lips to her jaw.