“I like testy women.” Logan laughed. “But I guess I have my marching orders. Let’s get out of here.”
They walked for a minute down the sidewalk, weaving between the people walking past. Winter wind seeped through her jacket. The L train rolled on by over the track above them.
“What will you tell them once we, quote, break up?” Brooke gnawed on her bottom lip.
He slowed his pace then halted in front of the tiny deli. “Maybe,” he held the door open for her and motioned for her to enter, “we won’t have anything to tell.”
They slipped inside. The deli had a few two top tables. A short line formed behind the cash register to place their order. They joined the end of the line.
“Like I said last night, go out with Shelby and then we can talk.”
“I’m not going out with her,” he practically growled.
Brooke shrugged. “Fine, then we’ll continue to fake this thing.”
“I don’t need to go out with Shelby, because,” he placed a hand at her waist and gently directed her closer. Close enough, her hand naturally landed in the middle of his rock-hard chest.Logan cleared his throat, “I feel something real when I’m with you. I haven’t stopped thinking about you since last night, and you can’t tell me that doesn’t mean anything.”
Her throat was constricted. She forgot how to think because of the intensity of his stare which made her stomach swim. Sweat gathered at the small of her back.
When she didn’t reply, he squeezed her waist, “Tell me you don’t feel this too.”
“I—I—” Brooke stammered.
“Next,” the voice behind the cash registered announced so loud it made her flinch.
The people in front of them in line had already paid and left. Logan dropped his hand from her waist but let his hand trail down her arm finally interweaving his fingers with hers. He drew her forward to the register. Her body complied like she was in a daze. They ordered some turkey sandwiches, chips, and sodas. After Logan paid, they sat down at one of the two top tables with their food.
He didn’t hesitate to peel back the paper wrapper of his sandwich and take a bite. Her hand shook, and Brooke fumbled with the package of her chips. Logan appeared unfazed by his confession while she reeled with the desire to date him but was hesitant due to his unfinished business with Shelby.
“I do feel something when I’m around you,” Brooke confessed as she opened her bag of chips. “And, if I’m being honest, it terrifies me.” She hesitated then popped a chip into her mouth.
“I know.” Logan ate another bite of his sandwich then washed it down with a long sip of his drink. “But you can trust me.”
“What about Shelby?” She retrieved another chip from her bag.
He set his half-eaten sandwich back down on his wrapper and wiped his face with his napkin. “I’m here with you, aren’t I?”
“Yes.” She fidgeted with the straw of her drink.
“And I’m here, because I want to be. If I wanted to see Shelby, I would, but I don’t want to.”
“But, you might change your mind.”
“Like how Justin changed his mind about you?”
Brooke nodded the tiniest amount.
Logan placed a hand over hers and squeezed it. “I won’t change my mind.”
Desperately, she wanted to believe him. To think this time would be different. This time could be the real thing, but her head screamedno way.
“You can’t promise that.”
“Why don’t you give me a chance to show you I mean it?” Logan squeezed her hand again. “Could you do that for me?”
“I’m not sure.” Brooke peeled off the paper of her sandwich and avoided eye contact.
“Please,” he pleaded. “I know you’re scared, because I am too if I’m being honest. But I like you Brooke, and I’d like to date you.” He stared back with such earnestness her heart softened.
