“All right,” he says softly, still watching me.
The moment stretches between us, taut and fragile.
Then he sits back, breaking the tension, and starts gathering the cards.
I exhale slowly. So yeah…I may choose him.
But telling him is easier said than done.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-TWO
LOGAN
My SUV is in the shop. I came out of the gym this morning to find all four tires slashed—clean, deliberate cuts. While things like that do happen, it’s never happened to me, not once. Which makes me wonder.
It could be Preston sending a message. Or it could be just random vandalism.
Either way, I filed a police report, texted Penny, and told Cole and Jack to be extra vigilant. The gym manager will review any video footage and turn it over to the police if he finds anything. But I’m not letting it ruin my day. Whoever hoped to rattle me was unsuccessful because today is going to be great.
I’m so excited I can barely stand it.
After a quick workout with the guys, I borrowed Miles’s truck to pick up a present for her.
I’m literally obsessed with this woman. Everything about her makes me happy. I find myself hanging on every word she says, cataloging the small details she shares about her life, always searching for ways to make things better for her and give her experiences she’s never had. I want to show her what lifecan look like when someone actually gives a damn about her happiness.
Today, I’m going to do just that—or at least, I hope I am.
I pull into the garage beneath my condo and retrieve Tessa’s gift from the bed of the truck, setting both bikes carefully next to the elevator. There’s a sleek mountain bike for me and an adorable pink cruiser for her—a three-wheeled bike with a large wicker basket in the back and colorful tassels hanging from the handlebars.
She’s never ridden a bike, so I figured a three-wheeler was the safest option. Training wheels crossed my mind for about half a second, but this felt better.
I greet Jack, who’s stationed near the elevator. “How’s it going?”
“All’s quiet,” he says with a nod.
“Good.” I catch his expression and grin.
I head up to my condo and find Tessa seated at the kitchen table, bent over her laptop, her honey-blond hair falling forward as she types. Beatrice sleeps soundly on her lap, purring loudly.
The rest of Tessa’s classes are online, and she only has a few more papers to write before she earns her degree. Watching her work like this, all determined and focused, does something to me. I’m just so damn proud of her.
“Hey,” I say, unable to keep the excitement out of my voice. “I have a surprise for us today.”
“Yeah?” She immediately presses save and closes her laptop, eyes lighting up as she turns to face me. “What is it?”
She’s dressed in black leggings and an oversized T-shirt—perfect bike-riding attire, as it turns out. “You’ll see. But you’re gonna want to grab your tennis shoes.”
She gives Beatrice a kiss on the head and sets her on the floor. Beatrice eyes me with disdain as Tessa stands from the chair.
“Sorry, Beatrice. You can snuggle later,” I say to my orange furball.
“Definitely.” Tessa bends, scratching behind the cat’s ears.
She disappears down the hall and returns moments later, lacing up her sneakers. “Okay,” she says, bouncing slightly on her toes. “I’m ready.”
We head down the elevator together, and I can feel the anticipation radiating off her.
