Page 63 of Hearts Storm

“Mm-hmm,” Noia hums. I can almost hear the writer part of her brain starting to whir as her eyes light up with glee.

“You like him, don’t you?” Lizzy asks with a small smile. Her expression changes, a knowing look passing over her face when I shrug. “It’s okay to have feelings for more than one person, Rey.”

“It’s not that simple.” I shift uncomfortably as Sasha and Noia exchange a glance.

“Does Logan know he kissed you?” Sasha’s tone is gentle but curious.

My stomach drops. “I don’t think so. And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t say anything.”

Lizzy leans in, her expression serious. “You know we would never. And I’ll tell you the same thing I told him: You need to hash out what happened between you two.”

“I can’t.” I pull my knees up to my chest, wrapping my arms around them. “He made it perfectly clear there’s nothing but a professional boundary between us.”

“What a crock,” Noia interjects. “Anyone with eyes can see the way he looks at you.”

A sharp pain lances through my skull, and I wince, pressing my fingers against my temples.

“Hey, you okay?” Lizzy’s voice softens with concern.

“My head,” I mutter. “It’s really starting to hurt.”

She jumps up immediately. “I’ll go grab you some painkillers.”

Grateful for the reprieve from their interrogation, even if it’s because of the throbbing at the back of my head, I take a deep breath in.

As Lizzy disappears, Sasha and Noia exchange another look.

“So... Brex,” Noia says, drawing out his name suggestively. “Is he as hot of a kisser as he looks?”

Rolling my eyes, I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Why not?” Sasha rubs my back. “We’re your friends. We listen and we don’t judge.”

Before I can respond, Lizzy’s hustling back into the room, Logan hot on her heels.

Oh, shit. He looks like he’s about ready to burst a blood vessel.

“That’s enough girl time for today,” he growls. “Ang—” He clears his throat. “Reyna needs her rest.”

My friends and I collectively blink in surprise at his authoritative tone. “I’m fine. We were just⁠—”

“My orders,” he cuts me off, chips of emerald flashing. “You need to rest.”

Lizzy hands me two small white pills and a glass of water, shooting her brother a pointed look. “She’s just sitting and talking to us. I’d hardly call that strenuous activity.”

Keeping his gaze focused solely on me, Logan’s jaw ticks. “I said that’s enough for today.”

Eyes bouncing between me and Logan, Sasha and Noia stand.

“Get some rest, okay?” Sasha gives my arm a gentle squeeze. “We’ll check on you again tomorrow.”

Noia follows suit, offering me a sympathetic smile. “Feel better girly.”

As they file out, Lizzy widens her stance, planting herself firmly between me and her brother.

“Logan,” she says, voice dangerously sweet, “maybe you should consider that Reyna’s a grown woman who can make her own decisions about when she needs to rest.”

Eyes narrowing, his gaze finally flicks away, focusing on her. “I’m her captain, Iz. She was hurt on the job. Her health is my responsibility.”