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Daddy would say it’s hasty and crazy, but I do, and I can’t deny it.

We shared one evening with one kiss. Yet, I can see myself at his side the rest of my life.

Amelia

“Holy. That must have been some kiss.”

Logan laughs.

“Seriously, how can she say that?”

“That’s how she feels.” Logan shrugs, listening to my rambles over that journal entry while eating chicken alfredo.

“She’s so young and she barely knows him. How can she say she’s in love?” My fork hovers in the air, swooping side to side as I rattle off curiosities and complaints.

“I don’t know. Like you said, it must have been a great kiss.” Logan’s eyes trail over my mouth—but I refuse to be distracted.

I clench my fingers around my fork. “Then how did she get here?”

He lifts one shoulder in a shrug. “Keep reading.”

Logan has to be the most patient man alive. He listens to my crazy talk without judgment. The man is a saint. Some big, beautiful church in Europe is sporting a Saint Logan painting on its ancient rock walls. I’m sure of it.

I help Logan with the dishes, wishing there were more so I’d have an excuse to stay longer. “I need to go.” I dry my hands on a cloth. “Rachel sent me home with work.”

He grins, but a long breath falls from his chest. “Okay.”

I know exactly how he feels. I start for the door, but pause next to the chalked hillside scene, one of the two that Amelia gave to Logan. It’s simple but pretty. It means a little more now that I know she gave it to him.

“I’ll walk you over.” Logan tugs on my sleeve, reminding me that I’m the one who said I needed to leave.

“Thank you for dinner,” I say as we step outside. “I’ll cook tomorrow and the next day. I owe you.”

His mouth parts in a grin, making me self-conscious.

“I mean, only if you want to.” I shake my head and pick up my pace. “I shouldn’t have implied⁠—”

“Liv, I want to.” I want to—the words produce goosebumps over every inch of my skin.

I nod. “Okay then, goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Olivia.” He grins down at me. As if magnetized, my chin lifts toward him—it’s the only confirmation he needs. Leaning down, Logan presses one soft kiss to my lips, turning me to Jell-O in a matter of seconds.

Heart pounding, I walk through Amelia’s front door. All the warmth and tingling spreading throughout my body vanishes when I see the light on my new answering machine blinking with the number three.

I groan. “I knew this machine was a dumb idea.”

With a knot in my gut, I hit the button.

“Liv, could you possibly pick up the phone? I’ve tried your cell two hundred times. Then, I get a call from good ol’ Ben asking if I’ve heard from you. He gave me this number. Which, by the way, you never answer either!

So, you’re kickin’ it in Wyoming? Without Benny, eh? Why haven’t you called me? I’m pissed, and you’re in trouble. Oh, and Eddie says hey.”

Lynn. I should have called her.

Message number two:

“Hi, honey, it’s Mom. I’m worried about you. Dad and I keep calling. Please call us back, sweetie. I love you.”