Chapter Twenty-One
Mia
“I divorced my ex because I had seen him having an affair with my assistant. They ended up getting married a year later, and my sister sent me a photo that she had taken of them at the café she was at, embraced in each other’s arms with a big ole pregnant belly between them.”
I didn’t wanna look into Logan’s eyes. I felt dumb as it was, just being upset over something like this. Life was great without Wallace. Truly, it was. But it still hurt, knowing that was supposed to be me.
“You felt jealousy?”
Shaking my head, I finally looked up at him. Those eyes, the color like the water surrounding us, made me completely forget that we were swimming in a rainstorm. Something I hated.
“I was envious. Not of him or her. But that they were having a baby and looked to be in love. I thought that would have been us if he hadn’t cheated on me. I know I’m happy without him. I don’t regret it at all. It just hit something in me I hadn’t known there was a target for.”
Shame and a combination of something else from that kiss Logan had shocked me with were overwhelming me. There wasn’t enough room in my head to even wrap my mind around what had just happened between us. There was just too much going on inside me to think about our lips connecting.
“You have a lot inside you that you’ve never dealt with. Emotions and memories you’re holding on to. Either too painful or didn’t think it bothered you, but it did. You feel robbed by him, like it was your birthday and someone else snuck up and blew out your candles. You’ll get your chance for that future. I have no doubt about it.” He gave me a hopeful smile that matched the crinkle of his eyelids.
“Thanks.”
I still felt like weight was sitting on my shoulders, but it seemed to have lessened slightly. Maybe just talking about it, sharing the burden, was enough to lighten the load.
“Now, about that kiss.”
Oh dear, here comes an awkward conversation.
“Uh …”
His smile was transformed into a smirk before he shook his head. “Neither of us is in a position to engage in anything right now. It wasn’t a mistake by far, but I think it’s best we keep it as what we had before. Besties for the duration of the program. You don’t need anything else creating complications in your life, and I’m the same.” He reached up to push some stray, wet strands back off my forehead. His gaze was tender, and a flutter tickled my tummy from the softness he was giving me.
“Right. You’re right. I don’t need anything else adding to my crazy life.” I pushed myself back, giving us space. Much-needed space to clear my head from everything that was trying to drag me under, back down the rabbit hole of my mind.
“Wanna swim around some more, or you wanna go get dry?” he mused.
Cute and teasing Logan was alive and well.
As was hot Logan, who was wet from head to toe. All those muscles of his were perfectly displayed beneath the soaked shirt. His tattoo of the Buddha head on his left upper arm was displayed and intricate, the water gleaming off the blacks and grays.
The rain dribbled down my cheeks as I took in his words. I remembered the fact that we were indeed still in the rain. But I didn’t feel scared.
I didn’t feel liberated from my fear, like I would be doing this all the time, but I wasn’t scared currently.
“I’m not afraid of the storm right now,” I said in awe as I lifted my hand up to let the rain fall on it before my very eyes.
“So proud of you.”
“I’m proud of myself,” I declared and felt good about saying it out loud.
Knowing he was proud of me was one thing, but being proud of myself was the compliment I actually needed.
“I do wanna get out though. I have a business to run and need to get dry.”
I had a lot of things to do today, including the pep talk to the new recruits.People. Crap. I looked around to see if anyone had witnessed what just occurred here. Then, I felt my shoulders release the sudden tension in them as I saw no one. The rain had kept away any spectators.
“Let’s get you dry then.” Logan swam to the edge, as did I.
I tried not to openly stare as he pulled himself out of the water. No part of his body was left to the imagination underneath his cotton shirt and jeans.
Just friends. Just life coach and client. We’re just friends. Complications, remember?Over and over, I thought that as I rose out of the water, trying not to feel insecure that my clothes were clinging to my body as well.
