Page 29 of Meet Me in the Valley
“And are they happy?”
My eyes follow the plane overhead, but when Logan doesn’t answer, I glance over, only to find his gaze already on me—intense and lingering.
The air tightens between us, buzzing with something unspoken. His eyes flick between mine and my mouth, and suddenly I’m hyper-aware of everything. How close we are, how our fingers fit perfectly together, how our lips are only inches apart.
For a second, I think—no, I’m sure—he’s going to kiss me.
But then, that signature crooked grin breaks across his face, softening the moment, and instead of leaning in, he presses a gentle kiss to my forehead.
“Yeah, T. They’re happy.”
It’s sweet. Safe. Meant to comfort. It should be enough—the tenderness of it. But a selfish part of me aches for more.
And the way he looked at me? It felt like he might’ve wanted more, too.
Chapter Eight
LOGAN
Donovan
Yo, where are you?
Logan
Home. Just got back from a run. You at work?
Donovan
Yeah. me and Wy are taking a break. So the Mrs. wants to have everyone over at the cabin tonight for a bbq bonfire get together before you and T leave for Austin. You down?
Logan
The Mrs. huh? pussy whipped!! You’re not married yet. and yeah I’ll go as long as you’re not manning the grill.
Donovan
Lucky for you, Wyatt’s on grill duty. oh also, fuck you.
I stare at my phone with a smug grin, kicking off my shoes at the front door of the pool house at my Dad’s place I stay in when I’m back in town. Tucking my phone back into my pocket, I pause. Arigid thought enters my mind. I pull up Donovan’s name again on my phone as I walk to the bathroom to turn on the shower.
Logan
Is Isabel gonna be there?
My teeth tug at my bottom lip as I watch the three dots appear on the screen. I feel bad for bailing on Isabel last night. Tia needed me, and while I don’t regret breaking the street laws to get there, Isabel expected something from me —I was too much of a pussy to admit I wasn’t into it from the start. I knew deep down, I wouldn’t be able to follow through with it.
She said we were good—literally shoved me out her front door, fully aware I was running to Tia. But still, I never got the chance to actually apologize.
Tia was right. Isabel’s not just some girl I can walk away from. She’s our friend. And I’d be an even bigger asshole if I treated her like all the others. I’m hoping she shows up to the barbeque so I can set things right.
Donovan
Yeah, I’m pretty sure Audrey invited her. Is everything cool with you two since last night? Were you “into it”?
Logan
Everything is cool. I think. And you were right. I wasn’t into it…I couldn’t follow through. Need me to bring anything for tonight?
