It’s sweeter than usual today, and my arms immediately wrap around her, holding her longer than necessary.
I’ve already had my best-case scenario, and I just saw her.
“Oh, shit,” Ivan teases, “are you actuallysmiling, Logan?”
I scowl while Maeve steps back, chuckling. “You look good,” she says, standing on tiptoes to playfully tousle my hair. “It’s nice to see you in casual clothes.”
Looking at her, it’s hard to remember why I was panicking about this trip in the first place. Maeve’s easy smile is a balm to my insecurities. I’ve never had someone so delighted to have my company, and it’s a heady, addictive feeling.
“You look lovely,” I tell her honestly, and she rolls her eyes and snorts.
“If you say so,” she says, and I open my mouth to argue with her, but she interrupts me. “Come meet Fang!” She leads me over, and I shake hands with him.
“Good to meet you,” he says easily. “Maeve has sung your praises for the last half hour or so.”
“Really?” I turn to her, surprised.
“Hello? Pigeons?” she smiles warmly, and my insides melt. “You’re the most interesting person I’ve ever met, Logan.”
“Rock doves,” I murmur, and her smile only grows, while I stand there, confused.
Me? Interesting?
Ivan cocks an eyebrow. “That’s a compliment, coming from her,” he adds, and Fang grins.
“And here I thoughtIwas interesting,” he sighs.
Maeve has that look on her face again, the one where I want to ask her what she wants from me.
But I just stand there, drinking in her words, beauty, and scent.
I would go to the ends of the earth for you,I think.I would drive around the continent and pick up any cats you wanted.
“You guys ready?” Ivan asks. “We’ve got all the supplies packed; we should get there around noon. Then an easy four hours back.”
“Sounds good,” Maeve says. “We can all get to know each other better in the car.”
Again, there’s that weird tone to her voice, and Ivan gives me that strange look.
Fang just seems ecstatic.
I have a good feeling about him—when Ivan told me her guitar teacher was coming, I was surprised.
But the way he looks at Maeve is cautious and protective.
As if she’s something precious that he wants to keep safe.
He hovers near her, just like Ivan does, and I respect it.
They want what’s best for her, and so do I.
That’s when I realize we’re all on the same page.
Oh.
“Hey,” Maeve says, and I realize I was lost in thought. “You zoned out for a moment. Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” I say slowly. “It is.” I look to Fang and Ivan, then back at her. “It really is.”
