AllFreeNovel
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Sandy huffs out a laugh. “Nice to meet you, Summer. I’mLogan.”
Logan. Logan.I roll his name around in my head as my eyes rake over him, trying to sync the moniker with the person. It definitely suits his dirty blond hair, five o’clock shadow, and tanned skin. And I’m not sure why, but I suddenly feel like I know him better than I did five minutes ago. Like hearing his name unlocked some secrets that he’s been trying to hide.
Logan smiles again before turning to face me, catching my eyes as they linger on his ripped arms hidden by a fitted Henley. My skin heats under his intense gaze before he blinks and his smile widens, the gesture visible in his eyes.
“So…now that you know my real name, can I have yours?”
Lucy bursts out laughing before slamming a hand over her mouth. Everyone else stares between the two of us, confused.
“It really is Dani. D. A. N. I. Short for Daniela.” I shrug.
Logan’s brows furrow, and his head tilts in thought before he throws it back and barks out his own laugh. “Fuck, I’m an idiot,” he says, face-palming.
“Hey, it made for a good story,” I say, my lips pulling into the first real smile I’ve had all day.
Logan’s gaze flashes to my mouth and then back to my eyes before they light up, and he sighs. We seem to be having another moment until it’s once again cut short. “I’d like to know that story,” a voice says beside me. “I’m Joel, by the way, and this is Delilah.” Joel points to a beautiful redhead next to him as he gives her leg a squeeze.
She beams up at him before looking my way. “Lovely to meet you, Dani.”
Joel looks across to Dylan and raises an eyebrow.
“She already knows who I am. Hi, Dani.” Dylan waves before glancing toward his football teammate Nate, another familiar face. Last year, I worked on social media for the Heartwood U football team. I was always in their faces. This year I’ve moved into a more senior marketing position and don’t see the players as much. Mind you, Dylan and Nate have both graduated. And Dylan went pro.
“Hi Dani,” Nate says, interrupting my thoughts, before the rest of the table introduces themselves—which is actually only Cory and Summer, Nate’s and Dylan’s girlfriends.
“So, now that you’ve met everyone. The story…” Summer asks with excitement in her eyes.
My gaze moves to Logan as he laughs, making my pulse race as the nerves take over. He must notice my concern because his head shakes so subtly that if I wasn’t looking for something, I never would have seen it, and yet, the gesture completely eases my mind. We’ve got two stories to tell, but thankfully, he knows the other isn’t for sharing.
After pulling my lips into a small thankful smile, I turn to the group. “There’s not much of a story,” I say, leaving it at that.
Logan opens his mouth—undoubtedly trying to add something to my lack of information—when Lucy cuts in. “Oh, there’s definitely a story. Dani busted this jackass sneaking out of her dorm room after hooking up with her roommate.”
The table erupts in laughter, and I settle back into my chair. That is until Lucy adds, “Oh, and he was naked.”
Dammit, Lucy.
All eyes flash to me, and I cringe. Did I share every last detail of that encounter with her? Yes, unfortunately, I did. But in my defense, never in a million years did I think she would know him. I offer my audience a shrug and then push my glasses up my nose to buy myself some time, hoping they’ll drop it. But no such luck. All eyes remain on me, waiting for some kind of response.
“He has a nice ass.” I shrug for the millionth time, causing everyone to once again break out in hysterics and my chest to heat.
When the laughter dies down, the conversation moves on to other topics, assuming that’s where the story ends, and my shoulders finally relax, a wave of relief falling over me to be out of the spotlight. But as Summer talks animatedly to Logan, his eyes move from her to me with a glint, letting me know it’s not the end for him, giving me a“we’ll talk later” look.
After the table has been cleared away, the party moves to the living area. I’m calling it a party because it’s loud, there’s alcohol, and I’m slightly uncomfortable, so it pretty much fits the bill for every party I’ve been to. As soon as I step foot into the living space, Logan beelines straight for me. I knew this was coming, and yet I hoped he’d just text me or something. Although, clearly, he lost my number because he never actually did that, even when he said he would.
“Dani, I can’t believe—”
“Dani!” Dylan calls from across the room, waving me over. “Nate and I need you to settle a debate.”
“Um, I…” I look between Logan and Dylan, not really sure what to do here.
“Go,” Logan says with a smile. “He’s practically bouncing in anticipation.”
I bite back a chuckle because he’s not wrong, and then with a quick “thank you,” head over to Dylan and Nate.
“Alright, what is it?” I ask, thankful for the interruption.
“What are you hearing around the halls at HQ in regard to Dwayne? Do they still think he has a shot at going pro with his party-boy rep?” Dylan says, getting straight to it.
