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Chapter Twenty
Aria
Between the adrenaline still running through my system from the events at the nightclub, the stress of waiting for Logan to return, and the full hands I had caring for Mama and the six newborn puppies that now inhabited my apartment, I barely slept through the next couple of nights.
Logan texted me to let me know that he would be down in Virginia Beach doing debriefings for a few days, and my roomies berated me severely over my decision to go after Logan, especially once they heard why I was so shaken up when Liam and Joe brought me home.
I was in the middle of the pups’ one-week weigh-in and daily handling session when there was a knock at our apartment door. “Can someone get that?” I asked as I picked up Ghost, the all-white runt of the litter.
“I mean, I’m in the middle of packing, but sure,” Lily said with a shrug as she raced across the apartment. She appeared as chaotic as her bedroom at the moment, given that she was packing her things to take with her to Europe. She was excited about starting her newest adventure. Lily, Zoey, and Joe had spent a lot of time together, and of course, I didn’t blame them.
“Hey, come on in.” Lily stepped aside and glanced at me. “Look who it is.”
My breath caught in my throat as I took in Logan’s tall, lean figure dressed in his usual jeans, loose T-shirt, and leather jacket. I wanted to run and throw myself at him, but I was a little caught up—never mind the fact he had his arm in a blue sling. I hugged Ghost against my chest and got to my feet. “Logan,” I whispered.
With a smile, Logan strode across the room and kissed me. I responded without even having to think about it. I knew now with my body and soul that he was a part of me, and the joy, comfort, and safety I felt whenever I was around him was proof of that.
I was vaguely aware of Lily going back to her room as Logan and I held each other close.
“How’s your neck?” Logan asked as he tipped my head to the side to inspect the cut the blade had made.
“It was nothing more than a scratch. I didn’t even need stitches.”
“I’m glad.” Logan’s fingers trembled as he stroked the cut ever so lightly. “I was terrified for you.”
“I was terrified for me. I know what I did was stupid. I should’ve had more faith that you and Joe were more than capable of doing your jobs.” I focused on Ghost’s white fur, taking comfort from the way he was curled up in my hand.
Logan guided my line of sight back to his. “Yes, you should have. But you know what, Aria?”
“What?” I mumbled.
“I forgive you.”
I held his gaze. “Thank you.”
“You’ve got a puppy in your hand,” Logan observed.
I nodded. “This is Ghost. He’s the runt.”
Logan gently stroked Ghost’s white fur with the tips of his fingers. “Mama had her babies?” He glanced over at the whelping box where the puppies were crawling around or snoozing near their mum.
His hand felt clammy when I took it and led him over. Something wasn’t quite right with him, but I ignored it as I showed him the puppies. “She had six babies, and they’ve all survived and are doing well.”
“Well, that’s because their grandma is a top veterinarian.”
“Oh gosh, don’t call me a grandma yet. I’m not even twenty-five!” I gasped.
Logan chuckled.
“Would you like to help me with their weekly weigh-in?”
He tried to disguise it, but Logan’s slight hesitation wasn’t lost on me. “I need to talk to you about something, Aria.”
My spirits dropped in an instant. “Is something wrong?”
He shifted his head from side to side. “Kind of, but not.”
I wrinkled up my nose at him.
