Surviving the Storm_A Zombie Apocalypse Love Story

by Kate L. Mary

  “A drink?” he said when we were finally side by side.

  “That sounds good.”

  The air around us was charged as we headed to the bar, the electricity intense enough to power the whole state. We put in our order and the bartender hurried off to get our drinks, leaving me alone with Logan’s intense gaze.

  “Have you and Rick known each other long?” I asked, wanting to know more about the man who could make my body sizzle from just one look. A thousand questions had gone through my head, but that seemed like the most logical place to start.

  “Forever,” he said. “Since we were little. Our parents live next door to each other.”

  “So you’re from Daniel Island too?”

  “Yeah, but don’t let that fool you. I’m a down-to-Earth guy.”

  Unlike Rick is what I wanted to say, but I opted for the more diplomatic response. “Not a workaholic like Rick?”

  Logan chuckled. “Not exactly. I like my job and I want to do well, but I don’t live for work the way Rick does. It runs in his family, so I can’t blame him. His dad always has been more focused on work than family.”

  The news temporarily cut through the sexual tension surrounding Logan and me. It was what I’d been afraid of, why I hadn’t been thrilled to learn that Tessa and Rick were getting married, and why I was still worried about my baby sister.

  “Hey,” Logan said, nudging me. “You okay?”

  I shook my head, trying to clear the concerns, but it didn’t really help. Despite butting heads with her on a daily basis, Tessa would always be my baby sister and I’d always want to protect her from getting hurt.

  “Yeah. Rick is…different. He’s five years older than Tessa and I can’t say that his obsession with his job really meshes with my little sister’s carefree attitude. My parents have brushed it off as a simple opposites attract situation, and I’m sure they’re hoping Rick will help her settle down, but I can’t help worrying.”

  “Yeah. I worry that Rick might be making a mistake.” Logan frowned and shook his head. “Sorry, I didn’t mean for it to come out like that. Tessa is great, don’t get me wrong, she’s just…” He pressed his lips together like he couldn’t come up with the words.

  “Immature?” The second it was out I regretted it. That wasn’t being fair to my sister. Tessa was Tessa, and I loved her for it. “I meant she’s young. She’s nineteen, and we were all young and immature at that age. I know I was. I remember thinking I had everything figured out, but looking back, I realize I was still just a kid in a lot of ways.”

  “And I worry that Rick has allowed himself to get swept into something he’s going to regret. They only met nine months ago, and who knows what either one of them is going to want six months from now, let alone ten years. Marriage shouldn’t be something you rush into, and this isn’t like Rick.”

  “Maybe that means he’s found the right person?” I had to hope that was true because if not, there was an excellent chance that we were about to witness the biggest mistake of Tessa and Rick’s lives.

  Logan was still nodding when the bartender came back with our drinks. “Let’s hope,” he said, sliding my glass of wine across the bar.

  We both took sips from our glasses. The attraction sizzling between us was still in the air, but slightly less volatile now that we’d had a real conversation. There was something about Logan’s presence that was very soothing, though. He had a good head on his shoulders, but it was obvious by the glint in his eye that he didn’t take life as seriously as Rick did. It was a good balance, and exactly what I’d hope to find in guy.

  “What do you do?” Logan asked after a moment of comfortable silence.

  “Nothing right now.” His brows shot up and it hit me that I’d just made myself sound like a total slacker, which wasn’t me at all. I laughed and waved my hand as if trying to brush his impression away. “I just graduated and I have a couple interviews lined up in June, but for the next couple weeks, I’m taking a break. I’ve worked my ass off for as long as I can remember. Now that I’m finally done with school, I plan on having a little bit of fun.”

  Logan’s eyes once again twinkled. “What kind of fun?”

  “The normal kind.” I smiled at him over my glass as I took another sip. The Bordeaux was smooth and rich. Not too dry. Perfect. “I’ve barely taken any time for myself over the last four years, and I’m looking forward to starting my life.”

  “You keep talking like you just finished school. When did you graduate?”

  “Today.”

  Logan’s mouth dropped open. “Today?”

  “Yup. I got my diploma this morning, had a big celebratory lunch with my best friend, Sarah, and then finished packing up my apartment so I could move home until I figure out where I want to live. It’s why I was late.”

  “But…” Logan glanced over to where the rest of the wedding party was laughing and carrying on, Tessa in the very middle of it all. As usual. When he looked back, he was frowning. “We went out today. Tessa was there.”

  I turned my back on my sister before downing the rest of my wine. No bitterness, Melanie. You promised you’d be the bigger person here.

  “I know.”

  “She didn’t come to your graduation?”

  I shook my head.

  “I wondered why you and Claire weren’t with us today.” Logan sighed, and I snuck a peek at him out of the corner of my eye. He was frowning and not looking my way.

  I didn’t want to make my sister sound like a horrible person, so I forced myself to face him. “It’s okay. We discussed all the details when Tessa chose the wedding date, and this is what we decided on. Tomorrow was the only time Magnolia Plantation was available during the spring, and that was only because they’d had a cancelation and it was a Sunday evening.”

  “Yeah.” Logan nodded, and after a second his lips turned up into a smile. “We should order some champagne. Celebrate the fact that you are a college graduate.”

  He got the bartender’s attention before I could protest, and next thing I knew there was a cold bottle of champagne in front of us. Logan grinned as he popped the cork, and I had a good feeling everyone in our group was staring our way, but I didn’t care. My parents had been so wrapped up in Tessa’s wedding that all I’d gotten after my graduation was a hug before they’d hurried away to finalize the plans for my little sister’s big day. It was nice to have someone acknowledge the hard work I’d put in.

  Logan clinked his glass against mine, grinning as his eyes swept over me, and goose bumps sprung up on every inch of my skin. “Congratulations, Melanie.” He leaned closer. “If you’ll let me, I’d love to help you enjoy yourself over the next couple weeks. We could start with dinner one day this week. See where it goes after that?”

  I licked my lips, already fantasizing about the evening. “That sounds like a great idea.”

  There was no way I’d turn down a night out with Logan. In fact, at the moment, I couldn’t help planning many more nights to come.

  Chapter 2

  “IT’S TIME TO LINE UP!” MOM SANG FROM THE doorway, her hazel eyes sparkling. With the grin on her face and the bounce in her step, she suddenly looked a lot more like Tessa than Claire.

  Tessa and her seven bridesmaids headed for the door, taking our bouquets as we passed the wedding coordinator’s assistant. Outside the door we found Dad pacing, beads of sweat sprinkled across his forehead that probably had more to do with giving away his daughter than the heat.

  When Tessa stepped out, he stopped walking and smiled. It was shaky, but genuine. “You look beautiful, princess.”

  “Thank you, Daddy.” My baby sister beamed up at our father.

  “Ready?” Mom said, blinking way more than usual.

  Tessa nodded and we all headed off, down the trails that led through the gardens of Magnolia Plantation to where the wedding guests were anxiously waiting. When we got closer, I caught sight of the groomsmen and my heart beat faster. This wasn’t a normal reaction for me
. I was the level-headed one who didn’t get swept away by emotions, and forget insta-attraction. I didn’t believe in such a thing. But the closer we got, the harder my heart pounded until it was impossible to hear anything other than the blood rushing through my ears, and I couldn’t deny the simple truth: I was very attracted to Logan. More so than I had ever been to any guy I’d met in my twenty-two years on this earth.

  We rounded the corner and the groomsmen were in front of us, but I could only focus on one. His lips curled up into a smile when he saw me, and his eyes twinkled as he took me in, his gaze raking over me like the touch of a lover. My skin warmed and my scalp tingled, and I had the sudden urge to do a dance.

  “Let’s get lined up!” the wedding coordinator hissed.

  My eyes were glued to Logan as I closed the distance between us, almost letting out a sigh of satisfaction when the warmth of his body swept over me.

  “You look beautiful,” he said, taking my hand and tucking it into the crook of his arm. Just like when he’d escorted me to my table at the rehearsal dinner. And just like the night before, my body hummed at his nearness. There was something very magnetic about him. Something that made me feel like I had just woken up after years of hibernation.

  “Thank you.” I looked up through lowered lashes, marveling at how big and broad he seemed to be next to me. Even with heels on, the top of my head only came up to his nose. I liked that he made me feel so tiny and delicate.

  Logan grinned, and in front of us Claire headed down the aisle on the arm of Rick’s brother. The harpist moved her fingers across the strings, and the soothing sound of Pachelbel’s Cannon floated across the lawn to where we stood waiting for our turn. Not too far behind us, Tessa fidgeted with her dress at my father’s side.

  “Ready?” Logan whispered.

  He took off when I nodded, and I matched his steps evenly. I had to force myself to concentrate on my surroundings and not the man at my side. Everyone we passed stared and smiled, while simultaneously looking past us as they tried to catch a glimpse of the bride. At the front, Rick stood with his hands clasped in front of him. The expression on his face was serious, but that was just like Rick. With the exception of his whirlwind romance with Tessa, he didn’t know how to let loose.

  When we reached the front, Logan gave my arm a squeeze before letting me go. I took my place at Claire’s side, my arm still tingling from his touch.

  Tessa and Dad came into view, and my heart raced with a mixture of pride and love and worry, as well as a hint of excitement at the idea of starting my own life. Of finally having some fun for myself.

  The wedding march began and everyone stood. Tessa’s face lit up, and at her side Dad was beaming with pride. My little sister’s joy radiated off her in waves. She looked luminous. Her blond hair falling across her shoulders and down her back, gentle waves that bounced when she moved, and her white gown clung to her in a way that was somehow sexy and elegant at the same time. Her eyes, already shimmering with tears that I knew she wouldn’t be able to hold back for long, were glued to Rick.

  Thoughts of Logan melted away, and I couldn’t take my eyes off Tessa as she and Dad made their way down the aisle. As terrified as I was about where this marriage might end up, at the moment all I could see was my baby sister. Pride and love swelled inside me until I was sure I was going to burst. Sure we fought like crazy, and yes she made me want to pull my hair out at times, but Tessa would always be one of the people I loved more than anything else in this world.

  When Dad and Tessa reached the front, the music stopped. Tessa was still smiling, but the pastor blocked my view of Rick. I wanted to be able to see the joy on his face too, but no matter how I craned my neck, I couldn’t get a good look at him.

  “Who gives this woman to this man?” the pastor began, beaming at my father like he understood the importance of this moment.

  “Her mother and I do.” Dad’s voice was gravelly.

  He cleared his throat as he turned to Tessa, and his eyes shimmered when he pressed his lips to his little girl’s cheek. All at once, my father and sister went out of focus as my own eyes filled with tears. I looked up and blinked, forcing the tears back so they didn’t spill over. By the time my eyes had once again found my sister, Dad had taken his seat.

  Rick now stood at Tessa’s side, and all it took was one look at him to turn my blood to ice. The expression on his face reminded me of someone who found himself in front of a firing squad and was trying to figure out how he’d gotten there. At his side, Tessa was still smiling from ear to ear and nodding as the pastor spoke. Even when she looked Rick’s way, she didn’t blink. It was like she couldn’t see the utter terror on her fiancé’s face at all. Like she didn’t notice when he shuffled his feet or the way he glanced over his shoulder like he was searching for a way to escape.

  My stomach twisted painfully, and I glanced back at Claire to find her gnawing on her bottom lip. She could see it too, but behind her, Tessa’s five friends were still smiling like idiots. Rick’s back was to our parents and the rest of the witnesses, meaning they were also oblivious, but across the way, a couple of the groomsmen had begun to shift uncomfortably.

  Remembering our conversation from last night, I stepped to the left, looking around the pastor so I could see Logan. My gaze locked with his, and for the first time since we’d met there was no sexual tension floating between us. There couldn’t be. Not when we both knew what was about to happen.

  “Marriage is a sacred ceremony,” the pastor said in a deep voice. “Today we—”

  Rick cleared his throat and the pastor’s words died away. “I need to say something.”

  I jerked back like his words were a knife he was about to hurl my way. Which was wrong. So very wrong. He wasn’t about to cut me with his words. He was about to slice my sister in half.

  “Yes?” The pastor’s smile didn’t fade, but I didn’t miss the uncertainty in his eyes.

  Rick was quiet for a moment, and within seconds a low murmur had spread across the crowd.

  The smile on Tessa’s face faded, and she tore her eyes away from the pastor so she could face Rick. “What’s wrong?”

  He looked away, the coward. Even though the expression on his face was pained, I couldn’t feel bad for him. Not when he was about to inflict so much hurt on someone I loved.

  “Um…I—”

  “Son of a bitch,” Claire muttered behind me, making me twist to face her. She never cursed. Ever. And she wasn’t a violent person, but the expression on her face told me she was ready to shove me out of the way so she could rip the groom’s throat out.

  When I turned back, Rick’s eyes were darting from Tessa to the aisle like he couldn’t get away fast enough. “I think we may be making a huge mistake.”

  The gasps and chatter of the crowd almost drowned out my sister’s words when she said, “What are you saying?”

  Tessa’s bottom lip quivered, and I had the sudden urge to join Claire in beating Rick to a pulp. I’d done it before, hit someone who had hurt my little sister, and it didn’t matter that we were no longer kids. Not when this man was about to rip my sister’s heart out in front of everyone we knew.

  Rick leaned closer to Tessa like he was trying to keep everyone else from hearing what he had to say. Too bad the pastor’s microphone caught every word of it. “We barely know each other, and I’m not sure we thought this all the way through. I mean, we met nine months ago. Who gets married that fast?”

  “You asked me to marry you,” Tessa said through clenched teeth, her anger momentarily overpowering her pain.

  “I know.” Rick shoved his hand through his blond hair. “I was swept away, but now that we’re standing here, I’m not sure it was the smart thing to do.”

  Tessa’s shoulders rose and fell, and her fingers tightened on the bouquet of flowers in her hand. “Say it.”

  Rick’s back straightened. “I can’t do this. I’m sorry, Tessa.”

  Then he turned and walked down the aisle, k
eeping his head up and his eyes forward the whole way. The people he passed shot daggers at him with their eyes, but he didn’t slow. Didn’t flinch. And he didn’t look back.

  Tessa still hadn’t moved when Rick disappeared from sight. Mom was out of her chair by then, her arms around her little girl. Tessa’s five friends had cut me off in their hurry to comfort their injured friend, and Claire too had joined the crowd gathered around Tessa.

  I couldn’t move an inch, though. Mostly because I knew if I started walking, the only place I’d head was after Rick. I was pretty sure throwing him to the gators would land me in jail, so I decided that for the moment, staying still would be better for everyone involved. Even if Rick did deserve to become gator chow.

  It took less than a minute for the guests to be on the move. People tiptoed out, their voices low as they tried to get away without being noticed by the already hurting bride. The groomsmen took the exit to our left, making a dash for the bridge like they were afraid of Tessa’s wrath.

  I was still standing in the maid of honor’s spot when my gaze met Logan’s. He took one step toward me, but stopped like it occurred to him that coming over here might not be a good idea. Instead, he just stood there for a moment, holding my gaze as if he was trying to decide what to do. It was strange how much disappointment shot through me. I didn’t know him, not really. Yes, there was an undeniable attraction between us. We’d had a couple drinks, and a few laughs. Since the night before I’d created a dozen or so fantasies about how our date would end, but it couldn’t happen now. It would be too much for Tessa if I dated her ex’s best friend, and the last thing I wanted to do was add to my sister’s pain. It shouldn’t have hurt, but it did. It felt like someone had reached inside and tied my intestines in knots.

  Logan nodded once before turning away, almost as if he’d been able to read my mind. Disappointment shot through me and at that moment I was pretty sure I was the most selfish person in the world. Tessa was hurting for real, because she had lost something real. I’d only lost a what if. That was nothing compared to what my little sister was going through.