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For the first time there was something in his heart that went beyond familial love. And he wanted to experience that. To know the acceptance and unconditional love Brice knew. Well, Dean, Shaun, Alex, Zoey... all of them knew. And the woman before him? She was far too exceptional. Intelligent, sassy, beautiful. God. I can’t.
He couldn’t walk out that door. If he did, he was walking away from her.
Turning around, he went to the couch and handed her the flowers. “Cori, I’m sorry. These flowers are for you. Maybe we can start tonight over again.”
She smiled up at him as she took the flowers. “I’d like that.”
He sat beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and she rested her head on his. Neither spoke. So much had already been said. They still had each other, and right now that was all that mattered.
Cori wished shecould fix his deep-seated pain. It was impossible. No words would ever heal that, but what she could do was make sure she wasn’t the one who broke the story. Things like that always got out somehow, but they would never come from her. That promotion meant nothing to her without him in her life.
It was more than him and her. His entire family would suffer. They took her in and showed her kindness and trust. No amount of money would be worth what would happen to them if she spoke out.
She tried telling Logan that, but did he honestly believe her? Trusting someone with such a secret was hard. Cori wasn’t sure if she could’ve done the same. But for Logan, I’d do anything. They sat on the couch all night, holding each other until they fell asleep. She wanted so much more, but at that moment all either of them were capable of was showing they were there; they weren’t letting go.
The sun was coming up and a new day had arrived. They were supposed to go to Brice and Lena’s for brunch. There was no way he was going to want her to attend, not after last night. This was still so fresh and raw. She needed to come up with an excuse for not going, so he wouldn’t have to come up with one for why he didn’t want her there. No matter what, he probably wishes that conversation never took place. And if he finds out that I only knew a small part of it and let him keep talking, he will hate me for sure.
Pretending to cough, she said, “I think I’ve caught your cold. I think I should spend the day in bed. You need to go home and get ready for your family gathering.” That was so believable. There’s nothing more contagious than the common cold.
Logan arched a brow and chuckled, “My cold? Are you sure it’s mine?”
“Positive.”
He leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips and said, “Then I think you’ll be okay.”
Cori pulled back slightly and looked at him long and hard. He was toying with her, and she didn’t know why. Then she added another cough to show him she truly was sick. “I’m not sure about that. I wouldn’t want to give this to your family.”
Smiling Logan said, “If it’s mine, you won’t.”
“Just because you’re a top neurosurgeon doesn’t mean you know everything.”
“You’re right, but if it’s my cold you have so suddenly developed, then I’m not concerned one bit.”
“And why is that?” Cori huffed.
“Because I was never sick.”
She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or pissed. He’d lied to her. “I was up most of the night worried about you, and you’re telling me it was all a... lie?”
“Yes. And I promise to tell you about it another time. We had enough sharing last night.”
She looked at him, filled with doubt. What could honestly be harder to talk about than what they’d discussed last night? From here on in it should be smooth sailing. Who am I kidding? He’s a Henderson, and I’m a Sparks; nothing is ever easy for either of our families.
“And what do I get if I agree?”
He pulled her into his arms, kissed her again, then said, “How about we discuss the terms tonight after we spend the afternoon with the family.”
She didn’t miss the fact he didn’t say, my family. Was he saying she meant as much to him as he did to her? Cori felt her heart flutter with hope, something she always avoided. But right now, next to love, hope was her strongest emotion. It scared her. Hope was filled with empty promises that usually led to disappointment. As she looked into his dark eyes, she knew it wasn’t hope she was feeling. It was the words echoing in her soul. Trust and believe. Cori knew she did with all her heart.
“Then I suggest we get ready, because I don’t want to have to explain to Morgan why I’m wearing the same clothes as yesterday.”
Logan laughed. “In that case, we could just skip it.”
Cori was tempted to take him up on that offer. Staying home with him in her arms all day sounded nearly perfect. That wasn’t what he needed right now, though. Logan might not know it, but he needed his family as much as he wanted her. And in some ways, she needed them too.
“Sorry, Logan. I heard what a feast Lena puts on, and I’m hungry.”
He caved and told her he’d be back to pick her up in two hours. She hated to see him go but needed a bit of time to herself. It wasn’t for what he might think. She picked up her laptop and went to the file that said Henderson on it. Her mouse hovered over it for a few minutes, thinking of the many hours she’d put into compiling all that information. For so long it had consumed her. For too long. She had much more that could be added to the already large amount of data. In one click of the mouse, she hit delete, and it was gone. Then she opened the trash file and hit empty.
That didn’t mean she’d forgotten about Grandpa Joe’s death. She just knew a man like Logan had been through enough already. It wasn’t any of their faults that James may have done this. Bringing it up to them would only be adding fuel to a burning fire within them.
It wasn’t easy, but this was what her grandpa would’ve wanted. For the anger and bitterness to go so healing could begin. Grandpa, I wish I could’ve found some justice for you. I wish I could’ve found some for Logan. Maybe in the end all we can hope for is some peace.
A single tear rolled down her cheek. Cori felt as though a weight had been lifted off her. That chapter of her life had closed. She only wanted to look toward the future. One with Logan Henderson.
