XXXV
LOGAN
He’d meant to tell her about New York, but something stopped him. As they walked back to the station in silence, his thoughts started to spiral. What she’d confessed wasn’t just the usual exchange of struggles between friends; it was heavier than that. And he wondered then, if she were a stranger, how he’d respond. Somewhere deep down, he knew he had a duty, a promise he’d made to report anyone at risk. But he couldn’t bring himself to do that to her. He wouldn’t.
“He will be okay,” he finally said, glancing at her. “It’ll take time, but you’ll see.”
“You seem so convinced.”
“I mean, every case is different, but he has something very few do.”
“What’s that?”
“You.”
She swallowed, her gaze drifting to the footpath where lines of mismatched footsteps were padded in the snow. “I’m failing him.”
“The fact you’re here means you aren’t failing him.”
“Don’t tell me what I want to hear.”
He nudged her gently, pocketing his hands. “Remember? I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I’d never lie to you, Daisy. Ever.”
They walked in silence, their footsteps slow and in sync, until they reached the end of the street and paused at the crossing. Daisy waited, almost as if expecting him to say something more, but when the silence stretched, she exhaled a sigh that sounded heavier than it should have.
“Can I…can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
She hesitated, cheeks flushed against the cold. “This is embarrassing, but I have to know.” She paused and inhaled a short laugh. “Did you ever have a thing for me, or was that in my head? I know none of it—”
“I did,” Logan cut in. “Did you?”
She laughed again, but it sounded nervous. “Yeah,” she admitted. “I did. Don’t laugh at this, but at one point, I was convinced I was in love with you.”
“In love with me?” he teased.
“Yes,” she said, covering her face. “I know it’s embarrassing—”
“It isn’t embarrassing.”
She pulled a face. “It is so.”
He would’ve told her then how she wasn’t alone. But in his head, she was vulnerable. She’d just confessed to him aboutCallan, and he didn’t want her emotions to override rational thought.
Timing, he told himself.Timing mattered.
“You know,” he said instead, “I think when we connect with someone, really connect, it’s a magical thing.”
She looked up at him, her expression unreadable. “Do you think we did?”
He hesitated, then nodded. “I think we still do.”
They walked the rest of the way to the station in silence. Daisy seemed to be lost in her thoughts, and each time he glanced at her, she’d avoid his gaze. He hated himself for it, the fact that he couldn’t be honest. But contrary to belief, honesty wasn’t always in the best interests of the ones we love. Sometimes, silence was a form of love too.
As they rounded the corner and the lights of the station came into view, he reached for her hand without looking, and they stopped.
“I’m sorry,” he said, keeping his gaze fixed ahead, knowing if he looked at her, he’d combust.
