Page 101 of You're The One
Mia rounds the corner into the kitchen. “I don’t envy you for that task.”
I chuckle. “I might be doing the heavy lifting, but there’s no way he’s not going to grill you as well.”
“True.”
She opens a few cabinets until she finds a glass, then fills it with water from the fridge. I love having her in my space, looking like she belongs here.
“Oh, call your dad,” she adds. “He seemed really worried.”
I nod. “I will.”
I call Mia a cab using the landline. Guess my dad was right about not canceling it—even if its only real use is when production bans cell phones. I’ll be shutting it off the second this show wraps. No way I’m doing this again.
I walk her to the door and kiss her goodbye. I miss her the second she’s gone, even though I’ll see her in a few hours.
When I slide into the passenger seat of Logan’s Land Rover, I cut to the chase. “I like Mia.”
He side-eyes me. “Of course you do, but we’ll wait for the others.”
I assume he means our other teammates scheduled to film with us today: King, Helm, and Volkov. “What, you need a judge, jury, and executioner?”
“I’m not sure which you think each of us is, but… yeah, sure.”
Okay. Not exactly comforting.
But at least I’ve got the twenty-minute drive to figure out what the hell I’m going to say.
Truth is, I haven’t thought much past last night. I’ve been too caught up in the high of being with her. Of finally being allowed to wantusout loud. Even if we’re both still figuring out what we are.
Trying to date. That’s what she called it.
But try or not, I’m in. She took what should’ve been a train wreck and somehow made it into one of the best nights of my life.
My time avoiding this conversation with my best friend is over.
How do I explain all this to Logan? That I’m not just looking out for her anymore? That whatever’s happening between Mia and me is real. Or at least, Iwantit to be. Even if it’s messy as hell. Even if I’m still standing next to three other women on camera every week.
Yeah. No version of that conversation ends well.
And even if he gives his blessing… how are Mia and I supposed to build anything real in the middle of this? How am I supposed to kiss her goodnight, then pretend I’m falling for someone else the next day?
How do I ask Logan to be okay with it when I’m not?
I don’t have an answer. Maybe my best friend does. He’s a chronic planner, and I need his help to map a way through the end of the show. One that ends with me leaving with Mia.
But first, I need his approval.
At the rink, Logan not-so-subtly nudges me out of the car. Time’s up.
He doesn’t wait for what I’m sure will be a captive audience—our teammates—before turning to me. “You two are terrible liars, by the way. You gave me shit about how gone I was for Hannah? Meanwhile, you’re practically the heart-eyes emoji anytime Mia is in the room.”
“We’re not lying to you,” I tell him.
He drops his duffel by the bench and sits, pulling out his gear with his usual methodical precision. I follow suit.
I’m tired of skirting around it, and I could use my friend’s support. Even if he’s not thrilled about me and Mia, Logan’s rational. He wants what’s best for the people he loves.
The real question is whether he thinksI’mwhat’s best for her.
