I love you.
My throat threatened toclose up.
No. He deserved to hear it,he deserved toknow, but I couldn’t risk telling him. Notnow. Not when there was that joy shining on his face.
I couldn’t take that awayfrom him. I wouldn’t. Not for anything.
“You’ve been wonderful,” Isaid instead. “Completely ruined me for all other men.”
Logan snorted like he didn’t believe me,but I could still see the glow of pride in his pretty, warm eyes.
That was the problem, wasn’t it? Given achoice between Logan fucking me again and Logansmilingat me again, Iwouldn’tknow which to pick.
I wanted both, butIwanted both. That was… new.
This was what Gabe and Troyhad. And I was so close to it I could reach out and touch it, but the moment Idid it’ddissolve in my hands.
Better to enjoy it now forwhat it was than dwell. Dwelling would only ruin it for me.
“I need a shower,” I said,rolling out of bed.
I got to the bathroom doorbefore I realized Logan wasn’t following me.
“You coming, or what?” Iasked, grinning when I saw he was staring at me.
The gay men of the worldowed me one for releasing Logan to them, prepped and ready to make all theirdreams come true.
He scrambled off themattress and chased me into the shower, laughter echoing off the walls.
For one more night, I couldhave this.
***
Maude’s Diner wasexactly the same today as it had been when I last saw it six years ago. Thesame peeling brown pleather booths that squeaked under your butt, the samechipping checkerboard linoleum flooring, Margery Thompson still taking ordersat tables in an apron that had been bleached to the point of fraying andsensible low-heeled shoes that click-clacked as she walked away to pass theslip back to the kitchen.
Like everything else aboutbeing back in my hometown, it was depressing from wall to wall.
“The eggs are really good,”I promised. “And the waffles have this crunch like nothing else you’ve everhad.”
That, at least, was true.This place had been a kind of sanctuary to me, even if the decor and atmosphereweren’texactly Michelin star material.
“I believe you,” Logan said,hovering behind me as I scanned for a booth.
The corner one I’d always likedwas free, and I nearly sprinted across the room to claim it, nodding once toMargery as she looked at me with wide eyes.
Yep. The prodigal son hadreturned.
And noweveryonewasstaring as Logan slipped in opposite me, shoulders squared like he waspreparing to fight off the entire diner.
I looked down at thechipping magenta polish on my nails and wondered if I’d get away with it now thatI was old enough to tell my parentsno. Would anyoneelse dare to say anything?
My grandma got away withbeing the town weirdo, maybe I could inherit the title.
I’d never gotten service sofast here in my life, Margery appearing beside the table as though she’dapparated like Harry goddamn Potter.
Gossip was the most valuablecurrency in this town.
“We haven’t seen you in herein a long time,” she said, looking at Logan even though she was clearlyspeaking to me. “Who’s your friend?”
