Page 75 of Abandoned

Will shook his head and took her hand. It was as if she was floating beside Will as they strolled back to the pub in no hurry. Were they really talking marriage? Lord, give us wisdom as to whether or not this is what You want for us. It almost seems too good to be true, but I’m beginning to understand that You really are that good.

Logan was sitting against the hood of Will’s truck, scrolling on his phone.

He looked up when they got close. “There you two are.”

Will shrugged but offered no apology.

The three of them headed into the pub that, according to the guys, was a popular hangout for the Hazel Hill Police Department, detectives and officers alike. The country music and smell of greasy burgers welcomed them. On the left, the bar ran half the length of the building. The dining room was huge, and it opened up to an area with several pool tables and a karaoke stage in the corner. The back half of the building had streamers and a banner that said, “Happy Birthday, Megan.”

“Are birthdays always such a big deal around here?”

Logan laughed. “Only when you’re thirty-five.”

“What’s the deal with thirty-five?”

Will said, “You’ll have to ask Megan and Jenna. I think it’s an inside joke between the two of them.”

They found a tall table near where the bar met the party area. But after they sat, there was still an empty chair. It was a shame that it was empty. Maybe this was the time to test the waters and see if Logan was ready to mend the bridge with AJ.

“So, Logan, I was thinking.”

“Uh oh.” He folded his arms on the table and raised a single blond eyebrow.

“Maybe we should consider making our tricycle a four-wheeler. I should find you a date.”

He laughed, shaking his head. “Umm … no.”

“Oh come on.” She looked around the room. Perfect timing. AJ walked in. “What about AJ? Wait a minute. You two even have the same last name, so that’d be easy.”

Logan pushed off the table and sat back. “No.”

“Seriously, why not? You aren’t related are you?” She was trying to keep it light.

“Zara. Stop.” Will’s voice was tight and demanding.

Logan’s jaw clenched. He slid off his chair. Whacking the chair so hard it almost fell over, Logan stormed out of the restaurant.

“What just happened?” Zara stared after Logan. She hadn’t meant to upset him. She should have approached it differently.

Will put his hand on her shoulder. “Like I’ve told you before, it’s AJ’s story to tell.”

“She told me she didn’t want to talk about it the other night. If someone would tell me, maybe I wouldn’t say such idiotic things.”

Will let out a sorrowful breath. “I’m sorry. But it’s not my story to tell.”

“I know. I just wish I understood. Two of my closest friends won’t tell me why they can’t seem to get along.”

“It’s more complicated than you could even guess. You’ll know it all one day.”

She nodded. “Should you go after him?”

“Probably.”

“Then go.”

He stood and kissed her cheek. “But know this, you aren’t wrong. They would be good together.”

Zara smiled.