Page 32 of The Things That Hold Us

“Here, a little birthday present from me.”

Logan hands me a pastry wrapped in parchment paper, and when I open it I see a cupcake with a teddy made out of frosting on it.

I laugh, “This is ridiculously cute.” I tell him, and watch as his smile grows wider.

“It made me think of you.” he shrugs.

My eyes shoot to his, and I find him looking back at me. We stay like that for a minute, and I swear I feel something in my chest shift. I blink, looking away from him.

“Thank you, I love it. I almost don't want to eat it.”

He laughs, and I take a big bite, which makes him laugh more.

“What?” I mumble, my mouth now full of cupcake. “I saidalmost.”

He laughs, and watches me with a big smile.

“I just wish I had time to warn the bear.”

I laugh, a genuine laugh, and almost choke on the mouthful of cupcake in my mouth.

We both stare at each other with goofy smiles on our faces, and it's nice. I feel so comfortable when I’m around him.

“Do you have any plans for your birthday?” he asks after a minute.

Nodding, I say, “My friend is having a party for me, I guess I’ll go to that.” I groan.

His chuckle is contagious, and I find myself laughing with him again.

“That sounds..sort of fun,” he says.

Before I can stop, I catch myself saying, “You should come by.”

His shocked face makes me add, “If you don’t have any plans that is. Or if you even want to.”

“I have a meeting later, but I’ll try and stop by after.” he tells me.

“Ok. It’s not a big deal if you can’t come, you know.”

The corner of his mouth turns up again in amusement, “I want to come.”

I nod my head, feeling stupid for asking and assuming he wanted to come. But hearing him say he does want to come?

“I’ll text you the address and the details.” I tell him.

“Looking forward to it.” he says with a smile, then says, “Well, I should probably get going. I just saw you over here and thought I’d say hi.”

I wave a hand, “Hi.”

He chuckles again, “Hi.

Logan stands, and part of me feels disappointed that he’s already leaving. But I should probably make my way to Cassie’s, anyways.

“Send me that address, and a time to be there. I’ll do my best to make it.”

“Will do.”

He starts to walk away, then turns to me, looking at my face intently.

---