Brooke peered up at him. “Lucky.”
“I know.”
And he meant it. Some didn’t have a loving family with a whole gaggle of people who loved him. Brooke didn’t, but he hoped in the future with some other guy she could have a second chance at a family.
For a minute, Logan rubbed her hands. Her teeth continued to chatter.
“I’ve always been a bit of a wimp when it comes to the cold.” Brooke locked eyes with him. “It doesn’t matter the season. Summertime my hands and feet are ice.”
Logan dropped his hands and wrapped one arm around her shoulders, slowly tugging her closer. Without prompting, Brooke placed her arm around his waist. His body warmed from hers being nearby.
“I wouldn’t mind your cold hands,” Logan enjoyed her being tucked in against him, “you can place them on me anytime you want, wherever you want.”
“Umm.” Brooke laughed. “Is that an invitation?”
“Sure.” He shrugged. “But only if you want it to be. I guess the ball is in your court.”
“Okay, noted.” She wrinkled her nose and her lips twitched. “But if you must know the verdict is still out.”
“Let me know when it’s in.” His fingers itched to brush the hair that had fallen in front of her eyes away from her face.
For a second, the world stilled. And he had no idea what any of it meant. His steady heartbeat sounded in his temples. Gosh, he wanted to kiss her.
She gulped, and Brooke replied, “I will.”
The L train came. Logan dropped his arm from her shoulder and found her hand. He led her through the crowd to the entrance of the train. They made it on, and the train lurched forward. Enough people exited at the last stop, so they walked on the moving train to some seats at the back. Then they sat down next to each other.
His pulse thundered in his ears. “What if we date for real?” he blurted out.
“What do you mean?” Brooke tilted her face and studied him. “What about Shelby? I think you need to see if there are still feelings there. Date her then we’ll talk.”
“I don’t need to do that. I already know what I want.”
“You say that now.” She gnawed on her bottom lip and clasped and unclasped her hands together. “But I think you have some unresolved things with her. I saw the way you looked at her.”
He shook his head. “I didn’t look at her in any particular way, but I certainly like looking at you.”
Brooke squeezed his knee. “Go out with Shelby. See where it goes. Then we’ll talk. I think you’re caught up in the moment from the music and the concert.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Go out with Shelby.” Brooke insisted way more than he liked. “Then we’ll see.” She squeezed his knee one more time before removing it. Then she peered out the window. The lights of the tall buildings glimmered against the backdrop of the dark sky.
He knew she was probably right, no matter how much he hated it. Nothing would move forward until he finally put these lingering feelings for Shelby to bed.
CHAPTER 10
Brooke strode down the hallway of the hospital, nearing the end of her shift. Her feet ached and head throbbed. The late concert from the night before meant she was running on pure adrenaline. Her mind replayed the conversation she’d had with Logan on the train. As much as she wanted to jump at the chance to date him, her head told her to hold up. She saw how Logan looked at Shelby. The tension between them could’ve been cut with a knife. No, it was better this way. He needed to close that chapter of his life before they’d ever have a shot at starting something.
She rounded the corner to the nurses’ station where she found Aubrey shoving a granola bar into her mouth.
“Hey.” Brooke set down the files in her hands on top of the station. “Are you almost off or only beginning?”
Aubrey swallowed. “Halfway.” She ate another bite and chewed. Once done she asked, “How about you?”
“Only,” she double checked her wrist watch, “twenty minutes left.” She opened the top file folder. “I’m tired. I went to a concert last night with Logan. I didn’t get back until after midnight.”
“Logan, you say.” Aubrey shoveled the last bite of granola bar into her mouth then tossed the wrapper into the trash can. “How isthatgoing?” She waggled her brows.
