“Me too.”
She glanced over at him. “Thanks.”
“Pull into that park up there, just past the light.”
A few minutes later, she parked in the lot of a large empty park. The snow had melted, and everything was gray and brown. Fallow. Some people saw it as dead, but she’d always thought nature was hibernating, waiting for the glorious rebirth of spring. Being a cockeyed optimist was how she’d gotten to where she was in her career, the recent drama being very much the exception. Only somehow her optimism never carried over to her relationships.
Logan took her hand. “It’s only been a week, and I miss you so bad I want to punch something.”
“I miss you too,” she managed over the lump in her throat.
“I know we don’t have a conventional relationship with all the shit going on—”
“It’s a terrible start for any relationship.”
“Agreed. We need to go back to square one.”
She was afraid to ask, the pressure on her chest making it hard to breathe. “Friends?”
He exhaled sharply. “No. We absolutely cannot be friends anymore. I know what you look like naked. I know what you taste like—”
“Logan!” God help her, she was getting sucked in. But what about Olivia and the baby?
He lifted their joined hands and brushed his lips across her knuckles, bringing warm tingles, his beard brushing the sensitive skin. “So dating, we need to date. At some point you’ll trust me enough to get over your commitment phobia. I know that’s the real reason you bailed on me.”
She stared at him in shock.
He released her hand, watching her steadily.
Was it true? She’d thought she’d moved past that when she finally crossed the line of friendship with him. Oh, shit, it was true. She’d had one foot out the door the entire time. How could she ever expect to deeply connect when she was afraid to be dumped or, worse, feel unloved like when she was a kid?
“I’m working on it,” she finally said.
“Olivia was an old love I needed to let go of, and I have, okay?” He framed her face with his hands. “No matter what happens, you’re the one I want. You’re the one I’m in love with, and that’s not going away. It’s deep and it’s messy, but I promise you it is real.”
She sucked in air.
He kept talking. “The love was already there, building between us as we got to know each other as friends.” He kissed her, a swift hard kiss. “I worried it was too fast, but then…when you left, my house felt so empty. Cold and dead. Which doesn’t make sense because we never even got to live together, but I kept imagining you there, cooking up a storm in the kitchen, curling up with me on the sofa, or warming my bed.” His forehead dropped to hers. “Sabrina, you belong with me.”
Her throat was tight, her heart pounding, her stomach fluttering because suddenly she could feel his love. It was deep and it was real.
“I love you,” she managed. “I never stopped.”
“You agree you belong with me?”
She nodded, tears blurring her vision.
“I love you too. I want you in my life.” His voice choked, and that made her get even more choked up. He tipped her chin up, meeting her eyes directly. “Whatever happens, just be with me. That’s all I need. The rest we’ll work out together.”
He didn’t wait for her response, instead kissing her tenderly before pulling away, his fingers trailing down her throat. “I want you to move back in with me, but I can wait.” His voice was husky, his warm brown eyes intent on hers. “I don’t think it’ll take long before you’re ready to take it to the next level.”
Her breath hitched. “Which is?”
“Marrying me.”
She smacked his chest, her eyes welling again. “Shut up.”
He held her hand against his heart beating strong and steady. “I’m serious.”
Her fingers clutched his shirt. “But you said it was hard to imagine committing to forever when the odds are stacked against a successful marriage.”
He loosened her grip on his shirt and took her hand in his. “When did I say that?”
“Before. When we were friends having lunch in my office.”
“Ah. There’s your answer. That was before we connected.” He smoothed her hair back with his other hand and cradled her jaw. “Before I knew you were my soul mate. Before I knew how deep love can go, how strong the pull to be with one person forever. That’s who you are for me, Sabrina. You’re my forever.”
She burst into tears, blubbering about the order of things, the uncertain future, and what was he thinking?
“We’ll talk it out, all the messy details.” He hugged her and wiped her tears before whispering in her ear, “Tell me when you’re ready to marry me. I can’t wait to start our life together.”
She raised a shaky hand to cup his cheek, her voice quavering. “You’ll be the first to know.”
~ ~ ~
Logan flew out to California the Monday after his big talk with Sabrina, demanding a paternity test from Olivia and refusing to leave until they got one. Sabrina needed that peace of mind and so did he.
They got tested that day, and he flew home. Three days later, they got the results. He wasn’t the father. Olivia confided in Logan that she hadn’t known if the baby was his or Anil’s, so she’d told both of them it was theirs to see who would step up. Turned out both he and Anil had wanted to be part of the kid’s life, but all along it was Anil she loved. She also confided how worried she was because her parents didn’t approve of Anil as a husband because he was Hindu, and his parents didn’t approve of her because she wasn’t Hindu. None of that fazed Logan. He was truly over her. So he gave her his best wishes and told her to let Anil know the baby was his and see what happened.
The very next day Olivia texted Logan a happy note that she and Anil had just eloped in Las Vegas. Logan was glad for her. Pissed she’d put him through all this, even knowing it might not be his, but ultimately he couldn’t waste any of his energy worrying about what she did.
His future was with Sabrina.
Epilogue
Two weeks after what Sabrina now thought of as their love talk—when Logan had let her know just how much she meant to him—she happily showed up on his arm at the Clover Park Valentine’s Day dance. Dating Logan was wonderful. They spent the night at each other’s places on the weekend, but the rest of the time they lived apart. She hadn’t realized how much she needed that stability and routine to feel secure enough to open her heart and keep it open. Two weeks of Logan’s steady love, a short-lived fake marriage, plus months of solid friendship were all it took for Sabrina to commit. She could admit to being relieved he was no longer tied to Olivia in any way, but Sabrina’s love for him was so deep, her commitment so solid, she now would’ve chosen to follow him to California just so they could be together. Fortunately, she didn’t have to.
Her life was finally back on track. She was slowly rebuilding her practice, her lawyer had shut down any further defamation from Tara with the damning evidence Sabrina had recorded against her, and she was working on her book, Romance Rebel. The title was growing on her because she was a bit of a rebel the way she did her own relationship from the deep end and tiptoed on back out. She understood how deep commitment issues could go and had a new empathy for commitment-phobes. After all, she used to be one.
“You want some love punch?” Logan asked her, his hand sliding from the back of her neck down her spine in one smooth stroke, bringing a warm tingle along its path. “I heard it’s spiked.”
She smiled up at him, running a hand down his arm, loving the feel of soft fabric over hard muscle. He wore a navy blue suit that made him look even hotter than usual, all accomplished and professional. She’d dressed up too, wearing a dress she’d bought special for the occasion—it was tight and black, and Logan couldn’t keep his hands off her in it. The dress had a V-neck and cute layered fringes at the thigh-high hem that went perfect with her silver winged
heels. “Sure, thanks.”
He gazed back at her tenderly before turning to her friend. “How about you, Lexi?”
“Make it a double,” Lexi replied. “Thanks.”
Logan inclined his head and went to get the drinks.
Lexi smoothed her hands over her hips in a dark blue satin cocktail dress and glanced around the crowded room, looking self-conscious. Sabrina had already told her she looked amazing. Her dark brown hair was up in a sophisticated twist; her dress with a white lapel along the deep V was super sexy. Surely, this would be a romantic night for Lexi. Love was in the air.
Sabrina put an arm around Lexi and gave her a little squeeze. Lexi hadn’t wanted to come tonight, saying she didn’t want to be the only single woman at a dance full of couples. When Sabrina had pointed out Hailey was going, Lexi had snorted, saying, “She’s in a relationship with her dog.”
It was hard to deny that. Hailey had spent the last month and a half in sessions with a dog trainer, coaching Rose to be a therapy dog for the sole purpose of having Rose with her everywhere she went. Not that she didn’t already sneak Rose everywhere in her giant pink doggie purse, but she was eager to take Rose out of her purse more and let her explore.
Logan returned a few minutes later and handed over the punch. “I took a sip of yours,” he said to Sabrina. “Strong stuff.”
“Awesome,” Lexi said and took a big swallow.
“I’m heading to the bar for a beer,” Logan said. “Be right back.” He left.
Garner’s Sports Bar & Grill had catered the event, and she’d seen Josh setting up earlier. He’d brought staff with him and, surprisingly, had come out from behind the bar to mingle a bit. Maybe he’d even dance, though Sabrina had to admit if he did, he likely wouldn’t ask Lexi. Not because Lexi wasn’t a great person, more because he was drawn to a certain strawberry blond woman currently in love with her dog.
She focused on Lexi again, who watched the room with a grim expression. “Lexi, your time will come,” Sabrina said gently. “Just be patient. Maybe it’ll happen tonight.”
Lexi sighed. “Truth? I think we had the right idea marrying ourselves. Who needs a man? I have a great career, great friends, a nice apartment, nice vacations, and…and…lots of great stuff. It’s only weird when I’m surrounded by couples. No offense.”
“No offense taken,” Sabrina murmured. She knew how hard it was to watch all your friends find their forever love when you couldn’t even move past the second date. She wasn’t even sure if Lexi ever moved past the first date. Most men didn’t pass muster with her.
Hailey waved at them and headed over in her deep red off-the-shoulder dress that clung to her perfect body. Red ballet flats with silk ribbons wound up her ankles. Even with her giant doggie purse, she still looked every bit the beauty queen.
“I swear,” Lexi said, under her breath, “if Hailey tries to get me to meet someone one more time, I’m going to turn the tables on her. See how she likes it.”
“She means well,” Sabrina whispered.
Hailey reached them and gave them both a hug. “Happy Valentine’s Day! Such a romantic day, right? It’s too bad I didn’t have any Valentine’s Day weddings this year, though I wouldn’t be surprised if some men are moved to propose tonight.” She looked right at Sabrina when she said that.
Sabrina smiled serenely. “Maybe.” She doubted Logan would propose, but she didn’t want to lessen the romantic view Hailey had, however unrealistic.
“Holy crap!” Lexi chortled. “Check them out!”
They all turned to the dance floor, where Mr. Campbell, Joe, was slow dancing with Hailey’s mom, Brandy. They were barely moving, pressed close together, cheek to cheek.
Sabrina and Lexi exchanged surprised looks. Hailey winced.
“I didn’t know they were still together,” Sabrina said. Last she’d heard, Joe had asked Brandy out. Of course, Sabrina had been a little out of the gossip loop with all the drama in her own life.
“It’s all I hear about,” Hailey said, rolling her eyes. She lowered her voice. “And she won’t stop talking about how great he is in bed.” She shuddered. “It’s revolting.”
Sabrina looked around for Logan and caught his older brother Josh’s eye. She waved at him, thinking how nice he looked dressed up in a white button-down shirt and gray pants. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, exposing tanned muscular forearms, probably from all his bartending work.
He walked over to them, doing his usual slow amble, but the moment he got close, Hailey’s dog erupted in ferocious barks, popping her head out of Hailey’s purse.
Lexi leapt at the opportunity to push back a little at Hailey. “Let me take Rose out for a little fresh air. I could use some too.” This was Lexi’s devious way of letting Josh get close to Hailey. Otherwise, Rose would’ve prevented it. The dog really didn’t like Josh, barking and growling every time he got near.
Hailey glanced out the window and back to Lexi. “It’s cold out. Are you sure?”
Lexi smiled sweetly. “I’m sure. It’s no trouble at all.”
“Okay, thanks.” Hailey handed over her doggie purse. Lexi walked quickly away, and Rose’s barking abruptly stopped.
Josh ruffled Hailey’s hair. “Hey, little sis.”
Hailey frowned and smoothed her hair down. “Do not call me that.”
The three of them stared at Joe and Brandy, the happy couple lost in their own little world.
“My dad seems smitten,” Josh said.
“It’s nice,” Sabrina put in. They both ignored her.
Hailey turned to Josh. “We have to stop this. My mom is a total flake.”
“Seems okay to me,” Josh said, his gaze returning to the happy couple. “And she’s still looking fi-i-ne—”
Hailey spoke through her teeth. “Shut. Up. That is my mother.”
Josh turned to Hailey. “You look like her.”
Sabrina suppressed a smile. Josh was flirting. Would Hailey pick up on it? She was exceedingly dense when it came to Josh.
Hailey flicked her long strawberry blond hair over her shoulder. “Where’s Clarissa?”
Josh turned back to the dance floor. “Probably facing east.”
Hailey stared at the dance floor too before saying casually, “I haven’t seen her around.”
Josh didn’t reply.
“Are you still together?” Hailey asked, not looking at Josh.
“No,” he replied, not looking at Hailey.
“Oh.” Hailey rocked back and forth on her red ballet flats. “What happened?”
Josh kept staring straight ahead. “The usual.”
Hailey looked at him. “Not a good fit?”
He glanced at her and looked back to the dance floor. “Sure, let’s call it that.”
They stared at Brandy and Joe. Sabrina had to admit it must’ve been weird for them to watch their parents looking so in love. You just didn’t expect it at that age.
Logan finally returned and slid his arm around her before taking a sip of beer. “Who’s that with Dad?” he asked Josh.
“Brandy,” Josh answered.
“Hailey’s mom,” Sabrina whispered to Logan, filling in the important part.
Logan glanced at Hailey and then over to Brandy. “Huh.”
Josh turned to Hailey. “You realize if they get married, we’ll be brother and sister. That’s why I called you little sis.”
Hailey gasped. “Omigod, don’t say that!”
“Hey,” Josh said, “I’m a good big brother. Ask my brothers and sister.”
Hailey stared at him in horror.
Logan put in his vote of confidence. “He’s okay.”
Josh shot Logan a look like shut up and went about building his case. “Take Alex for one. I got him the nanny he needed, and now they’re a happy little family.”
Hailey stuck out her tongue, pretending to hurl.
Josh raised a brow. “Okay there?”
Hailey straightened like she suddenly remembered some
thing. “You put your dream of owning your own bar on hold to put Mad through college. Why not let Jake cover it? He’s loaded.”
Logan hissed out a breath. Sabrina suspected she knew why.
Josh glared at Hailey, turned on his heel, and walked away.
Hailey’s jaw dropped, watching him go. She turned to Sabrina, eyes wide. “What did I say?”
Sabrina spoke in a gentle tone. “I get the feeling he has a chip on his shoulder about Jake being more successful than him. They’re identical twins; sometimes that comes with a rivalry.”
Logan shook his head. “They’re not rivals. They’ve always been close, but you’re right about the chip on his shoulder over the money thing.”
Logan’s younger sister, Mad, walked over just then. “Hailey, I think we might be sisters for real soon. Can you believe our parents? I’ll tell ya it’s a lot better than when my dad dated my mom.” That had been a strange time. About a year ago the Campbell mom had made an appearance, after so many years away, and briefly got together with her ex-husband.
“True that,” Logan put in.
Hailey frowned. “I love my mom, but I think your dad would be better off with someone else.”
“Why?” Mad asked.
“Because,” Hailey said through her teeth. She reached for Rose and realized her doggie purse wasn’t there. She looked around for Lexi, who wasn’t back yet. Then she froze, staring at Josh, who was glaring at her from across the room. Hailey quickly turned back to Mad. “Why did you let Josh pay your college tuition when Jake could easily afford it?”
Mad shrugged. “He insisted, and when he digs in, I know he’s not moving. It would’ve been an insult to turn him down, especially for Jake’s money. Josh could’ve got in on the ground floor with Jake’s company, but he took a different path. Now Jake’s a billionaire and Josh isn’t. Sucks for him, but he’s doing all right. Josh is careful with his money.”
Hailey looked thoughtful. “Hmm. Wait. If he could afford to pay your tuition, why didn’t he ever pay me back the five hundred he owes me?”
“Maybe it was the principle of the thing, making you go get it.” Mad smirked. “Maybe he just wanted to lure you back to his place.”
Chance of Romance (Happy Endings Book Club, Book 8) Page 19