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I step out of my car, and it’s like he can sense me. His eyes shoot up and he pockets his phone as he pushes off the wall and walks toward me—whatever he was doing, abandoned.
“You’re always beautiful, but tonight you’re a vision,” he says as he presses a kiss to my cheek, and the compliment warms me. I’m wearing black jeans, a white silk camisole, and my long camel coat. My hair’s styled with a slight curl, and I added a red lipstick to my usually barely there makeup. I made an effort. And it’s been a while since anyone noticed those things. But, of course, he did. He’s been noticing me for months, and I’ve been ignoring it or finding a reason to push it aside. But why? For what?
When I don’t answer or say anything back, Logan chuckles, tucking my hair behind my ear. “It’s okay, you don’t have to return the compliment; I know I look good.”
“Oh, sorry, I just—”
He grabs my upper arm and gives it a squeeze. “I’m kidding. I never expect anything in return. Ever. Please always remember that.”
“Well, thank you for the kind words. Shall we go in?” I ask, unsure as to why I’ve suddenly turned back into the shy girl I was when we first met.He’s seen me naked.
“I got us tickets to the later showing. I thought we could go for a walk first,” he says, motioning down the street.
My eyes follow his direction, checking where we could go. We’re in the older part of town and the buildings here are spectacular, so rich in history, even though they’re still young in comparison to others in the country. It’s the perfect place to wander.
Taking a deep breath, I hold out my arm as though I’m Elizabeth and Logan’s Mr. Darcy, and I’m ready for him to court me. Logan follows my lead without question—looping my arm around his elbow—but takes it one step further, linking our fingers as we start to move, sending my pulse racing.
We walk for the better part of an hour, talking about life, our regrets, our hopes. And even though they’re pretty deep topics, I never once question what I’m about to say. I just let it all flow from my mouth.
When we reach the entry to the theater, I’m disappointed that we’re about to be forced into silence, wanting more time. And as I open the door, Logan comes to a halt, pulling me back toward him, maybe feeling the same. “Thank you for always listening,” he says with a genuine smile, while I huff out a nervous laugh.
“That’s not something you need to thank me for,” I say honestly. I learned from a young age that all any of us really want is for someone to listen, and I live by that every day. Only, most days no one notices.
“I wish I could take credit for recognizing that in you, but it was all Liam. I just happen to agree.”
“Liam?” I ask, and my heart flutters when he nods. “Well, thank you, Liam,” I joke giving his hand a squeeze. “And thankyou.”
Logan nods again, leading me inside toward our seats without another word, and by the time we sit down, he’s back to his joking self, while I sit still, tension coursing through me.
As I predicted, Logan sings along to all of the songs, even tapping his knees as though he’s following the chords on his guitar. And as I watch out of the corner of my eye, I find myself wishing it was my leg he was touching. Andgoddammit. I can’t feel like this. Ishouldn’tfeel like this. Even though I’m starting to believe that Loganfeelssomething, there’s Liam to consider. And Eric. Shouldn’t I have had some kind of rebound guy first? Is that what this is? Am I feeling this way because he’s the first guy to give me the extra attention I’ve missed?
Thoughts bounce around my head, but if I’m being honest with myself, I know it’s more than a rebound. I know I feel more for him that I’d care to admit, and I’m terrified.
Can I really risk my heart, or Logan’s, if it doesn’t work out? He’s just lost his father, and I…I’m so confused.
Logan’s knee brushes with mine, and a bolt of electricity runs through me.Get a grip, Dani. It was just a knee.And yet, suddenly I’m hyperaware of how close he is, how desperately my body craves his touch. How much I want him.
Is he going to kiss me goodnight?Most good dates should have a goodnight kiss, but what if he doesn’t kiss me? Should I kiss him?
The anticipation has my heart racing, and before long, we see the last of Tom Cruise with the movie coming to an end.
As the credits roll, Logan walks his fingers across the back of my chair, before wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me into him. “You got a bit tense toward the end there. What’s running through that beautiful mind?”
I watch as his thumb rubs circles along my collarbone before my gaze moves across to his eyes.You. I was thinking about you. Your touch. Your smile. The way you look at me. The way you make me feel.
“Oh, nothing. Just work.”
Logan’s eyes widen in mock horror. “During this awesome masterpiece? How is that possible? I was enthralled.”
I can’t help but laugh, even though my head’s a mess at the moment. Because that’s another thing Logan does to me. He calms me in a way no one else ever has.
“What can I say? Maybe Maverick doesn’t do it for me after all,” I joke, laughing when a mischievous expression crosses Logan’s face.
“Hmmm, we’ll see about that.”
I gently punch his arm, fully aware of where his mind just went. “Do not even think about role play. That’s not happening.”
He barks out a laugh before standing and pulling me to my feet. I hadn’t even noticed that the theater had cleared out.
