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“I’m staying.”
She knew the exact moment her dad realized what that meant. His eyes flared, and he swerved another glance toward Logan. But he said nothing, schooling his features until she squirmed inside, wondering what he was thinking.
Clearing his throat, he glanced back to her and gave a short nod. “We’re going to find a hotel to stay in for a few days. Call us when you need us.”
Paige’s eyes misted with relief. He may not readily approve, but at least he wasn’t going to disown her over it. “Thanks,” she choked out.
He nodded again and motioned for Kayla to follow him. Her friend gave her a hard, quick hug goodbye and hurried after Paul. Once they were gone, the Xander family visibly relaxed.
They started talking about the day’s events. What was worse, as they gabbed on about the shooting, a silent Logan kept throwing her concerned glances. He knew how much talk of Einstein bothered her. But she was too worried about him to focus her thoughts on her young, troubled, dead friend.
The shadows under his eyes grew darker, and the hollows in his cheeks more gaunt. After his surgery, he must be exhausted.
She shifted surreptitiously closer, stopping just behind his shoulder at his right side. “Looks like you need some rest,” she murmured for his ears alone. “Do you want us to clear out and give you some peace?”
“I don’t want you to,” he said softly as he lifted his chin so he could look up at her, his gaze holding hers with a wealth of emotion.
She flushed warm. She wouldn’t mind if everyone except her left him alone either.
“Well, I don’t know about anyone else,” his mom called, lifting her voice above th
e hushed conversations circulating the room. “But I’m starving. None of us had lunch or dinner, and it’s almost one in the morning.”
She set her hand on Paige’s arm. “Paige?”
Paige opened her mouth to decline. Logan wanted her to stay, so she would stay. But instead of asking her along, his mother merely smiled. “Can we get you anything while we’re there?”
Paige blinked, not expecting such understanding. “Umm…no thanks.”
Logan lifted his hand. “Could you get her some blueberry muffins and an iced caramel latte?”
Lifting her eyebrows, Paige turned to give him a questioning look.
He frowned back, wrinkling his forehead in confusion. “What?”
“Just how do you know what her favorite food and drink are?” His brother, Caleb, was the one to ask, a mischievous smile tightening his lips.
“Oh, leave them alone,” his mother scolded, taking the boy’s arm and dragging him from the room. Glancing over her shoulder, she sent Logan a long, assessing look. “We’ll be back.”
As the last person filed from the room, leaving her alone with Logan, Paige moved down closer to his side. He immediately reached for her. She clasped his fingers eagerly.
She touched his brow, worried about how pale he was, how dark the bruises under his eyes looked.
Grinning, he reached up and grabbed her fingers off his face until he was holding both her hands. “I’m fine.”
“But you look—”
“I’ll be fine,” he insisted. “I’m more worried about you. I know Einstein was your friend.”
She winced from just hearing that name. “I just got over my brother’s death, and I’m still working through my mom’s. Plus, you insist I have a near-rape to work through. I think Einstein will have to get in line and wait his turn.”
Logan’s eyes filled with pity. “You’ll get through it,” he assured. “You’re strong. And besides…I’ll be there with you.”
She stared at him, feeling settled—complete.
“So your family looked happy to see you,” she said, needing to change the subject away from Einstein.
“Yeah.” He blew out a breath. “Who knew I’d just have to get shot for them to accept me again?”
