He chuckled, the sound low and full of affection. “Oh, a million times better. And you? Wearing my hat while doing it? That was the missing piece I didn’t know I needed.”
I giggled, and he helped me to my feet, steadying me with those strong, capable hands. As he buttoned his pants, I adjusted my skirt and smoothed down my shirt. Then I took his hat from my head and placed it back on his, tilting it just right with a smirk.
“Come here,” he said, crooking his finger.
So I did. I stepped into him, letting his arms wrap around my waist and draw me close.
“Yes?” I asked, looping my arms around his neck, still breathless and buzzing from everything we’d just shared.
“I’m just going to say this again,” he murmured, eyes locked on mine, voice a vow laced with confidence. “I am completely and utterly in love with you, Ellie Cassidy. You are every single one of my dreams come true.”
Desire to devotion, that was the shift he created in me. So fast. So effortless. It left me dizzy, in the best way. My chest swelled with emotion, words begging to spill out in return.
I wanted to say it. I felt it. God, I felt it.
The more I saw Logan in this light, the man who kissed like fire and spoke like he worshipped me, the more we tangled in these stolen moments, wrapped in laughter and love and the kind of intimacy I’d never known before…
The harder I fell for him.
42
ELLIE
The girls and I were tearing up the dance floor, boots stomping against the checkered tile as we spun and twirled, completely lost in the moment. Hips swaying. Laughter mixing with the pulse of country music that blared from the speakers.
Hands flew into the air as the four of us belted out the lyrics, loud and off-key, but not caring in the slightest. Sweat slicked my skin, the buzz of alcohol humming in my veins. I was floating on joy, on freedom, on the kind of happiness that felt like it could last forever.
Tonight, I was on cloud nine. Carefree. Light. And I wanted to chase this feeling again and again.
It was moments like this, with people like them, that made Faircloud feel like exactly what it was—home.
We leaned into one another, arms tangled, laughter spilling out as we collapsed into a giggling group hug.
“I freakin’ love you all!” I shouted over the music, loud enough to make sure they heard it.
“And we love you!” Aspen yelled back, and the others nodded, eyes sparkling.
“We are so glad you came back,” Penny said, grabbing my hand and giving it a squeeze filled with all the warmth in the world.
I was glad too.
At first, I’d been unsure, fragile in ways I didn’t want to admit. But that version of me was temporary. I was finding my way again, stronger with every step. Sometimes it just took a night like this to remember who I really was.
My eyes drifted toward the bar where the guys were posted up. Rhodes, Boone, and Logan lined the stools, while Mac worked behind the bar, slinging drinks and cracking jokes. I’d been stealing glances at Logan since the moment we arrived, trying to be subtle but probably failing miserably because I just couldn’t help myself from gawking.
We’d shown up a little late, thanks to our impromptu… detour, but no one had questioned it. When we’d joined the group, Logan had casually slung his arm over my shoulders as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
No one gave us a second look. No teasing, no comments—just easy acceptance. Like they’d seen it all along. Like I was the only one who hadn’t caught on.
I wanted him out here with me, dancing, because I knew he could. Logan had rhythm and charm and zero shame. He’d keep up just fine, especially considering the rest of us were just flailing and hoping we landed somewhere close to the beat.
I turned toward the bar, waving my arms dramatically in Logan’s direction, hoping to catch his attention. But he didn’t look over. Didn’t move. I huffed, giving up for now. I’d drag him out here eventually. Just needed to find the right moment.
The music switched tracks, dipping low for a breath of silence, just long enough for Aspen to lean in close, her hand landing on my shoulder.
“Okay,” she whispered in my ear, voice tinged with mischief. “I can’t help but notice… you and Logan are looking a littletouchytonight.”
When she pulled back, her eyes were dancing, eyebrows arched with a teasing smile.
