In one bay, Andre and another guy—Cameron, I think—were jacking up a minivan. In another, Manny was taking a wheel off of a Prius. I found Logan back in the third bay, elbows deep in another engine with his tongue stuck between his lips in concentration. An older man was clutching a handful of shop rags, waiting for Logan to give him a cue.
“Hey,” I said as I saddled up beside him. “Don’t stop what you’re doing, I don’t want to interrupt.”
Logan shook his head, pulling his hands out from the hood of the car. “It’s okay, I was just about to clean up. Are you heading out?”
“Yeah, I think I got what I needed and I don’t want to be in the way. But I wanted to check in about that party later and see if we’re really going?”
“If you want to go, we’ll go. No pressure.”
“Let’s go, I want to get to know everyone better.”
“You got it. Does Adam work tonight?” he asked.
“Yes, he was off last night but said he works most nights this week.”
“Okay, I’ll come pick you up when I’m done here. I’ll text you after I get home and showered.” He leaned in for a quick kiss, making me blush in front of the older man who was still standing beside him, watching our entire interaction.
“See you later,” I said before I turned around, finding my way back to where I parked my car. I felt everyone watching me again, only this time I knew it was because they’d seen Logan kiss me. Guess they all knew I was more than a friend, now.
It was exhilarating that Logan had shown affection for me like that in front of his whole team. I knew we were keeping things quiet from my family for now while we figured this out, but he’d had no problem with his employees knowing. It felt like a big move, and my heart was almost bursting out of my chest in response.
I made it out to the parking lot and into my car, catching myself in the rearview mirror and seeing a flush on my cheeks before putting the car into gear and peeling away.
ChapterTwenty-One
THREE YEARS AGO (AGE 22)
It wasa warm day in May, and I could already feel small beads of sweat beginning to slide down my spine beneath the stiff, black graduation gown. Thankful that I’d decided on the chunky wedges to go with my dress instead of my nude pumps, I stepped into the soft grass and made my way toward the organized rows of white folding chairs.
The entire football field at CU Denver had been converted for tonight’s graduation ceremony and a large, stainless-steel stage stretched across the furthest end. A few members of faculty had already taken their seats upon the big stage, and were peering down on all of the hustle and bustle as the arriving graduating students worked to find their respective seating sections.
Seating for the ceremony had been organized by degree program, and a reference guide of the seating chart had been emailed to all students a few days prior to the event. I pulled the folded piece of paper out of the small clutch that hung from my wrist, having just printed it before leaving to head over here today. Squinting down at the impossibly minuscule letters on the paper, I saw that students who were graduating from the marketing program were seated within a larger cluster of students who were graduating with business-related degrees in the left column of chairs toward the middle rows.
I found the area for marketing students and made my way to the first row, figuring students with a “C” last name would be assigned to seats toward the front of the section. Quickly finding a chair marked “Campbell, Amelia,” I took my seat and exhaled.
I glanced at the slender, gold watch on my wrist and saw that it was half-past four. The graduation ceremony would begin at five o’clock sharp, and the stadium was only about halfway filled. I knew when I left my apartment a half hour ago that I was going to get here much earlier than necessary, but the worry of being late and unsure of exactly where I’d be seated had given me anxiety all afternoon.
My parents, who were always severely punctual as well, would likely be arriving at any moment. I took my phone out of my clutch and sent a text to our family group thread to let everyone know the general area that I was seated in. Within moments, I began receiving their responses.
Mom
We’re on our way, sweetie! ??
Dad
I’m so proud of you! See you soon.
Adam
Wait, your graduation is tonight?
I rolled my eyes at that last text.Seriously, Adam?
Adam
Just kidding. Logan and I are on our way, too!
I felt my breath catch as I read that second message from my brother.Logan was coming.Not that him coming to my graduation was surprising—Logan was family, and he was usually a part of big family moments like this. I just didn’t really think through the possibility of him being here tonight, and was completely unprepared to see him.
