Page 103 of Everything Has Changed
I’m shocked I didn’t hear his footsteps come up behind me, but then again I was too far gone staring out at the autumn wonderland.
Logan’s arm wraps around me from behind while his other hand goes in front of me, presenting a coffee cup with The Willow Whisk logo on the side.
“Pumpkin spice latte with oat milk,” his mouth against my ear stirs my hair around.
I take the warm cup in my hands, turning my head to place a kiss on his lips. “How did you know?”
“I can’t take full credit.” He angles me toward the cafe where I find Ophelia setting out the menu board Piper decorated just for today. I was hesitant not to schedule someone else this morning to open, but my grandmother insisted she was more than ready to get back to her routine. Plus, it helped that my sister was back in town for the weekend. A flash of blonde in the window as the open sign flips around tells me she is in there helping set up for opening.
We always opened for the early birds on the morning of the festival. Everyone setting up for their booths flocks to us to get their fuel to start the day before we close and finish setting up our own.
I nibble on my lower lip, gnawing as I think about everything we still need to set up before Mr. Spencer shows up for his final inspection.What if he hated it? What if it wasn’t up to his level of perfection? What if–-
“You don’t have to worry. He’s all talk, baby. I promise.” Logan thumbs my lip free, tracing the indent I left behind. His hand cups my cheek, and I lean into his warmth.
“I’m not worried.” I try to fib a little, but the lie rings out between us.
Logan chuckles lightly, but doesn’t call me out.
“My father is a lot of things, but an outright idiot isn’t one of them. I can’t think of a single thing he could complain about. This event is probably the best I’ve seen.”
“You really think so?” My hands lay against his chest, and I revel in the feeling of his heartbeat on my palms.
“I know so.” Leaning down, he drops a chaste kiss to my lips. But he doesn’t get far when he pulls away, coming right back for another. Only this time he deepens it as his fingers tunnel into my hair. My hands trail up around his neck to keep him against me for another moment. At least until we hear a commotion down the way and jump apart like a couple of teenagers being caught by their parents.
Logan takes a step back, pushing his hands into the pocket of his hoodie. I try not to let it sting, the distance he places between us, but I know he doesn’t want the rumor mill swirling. One less thing for him to worry about while he gets comfortable with his position in the town. I had a feeling his father will be formally announcing his retirement this weekend with all intentions of Logan stepping into his place.
I mentioned it to him last night as we cuddled in bed, my mind racing with all my to-do lists when I remembered the speech the mayor always gives during the festival. It didn’t escape my notice when his hands fell away from my hip as he turned onto his back. His quiet “maybe” holding more weight than I intended for some pillow talk, so I let it go. This thing between us was new and, while I knew he liked me, I didn’t want to pressure him into defining this while so much was going on.
I still wasn’t entirely against the thought that this could just be the ill-fated trope I disliked so much. The forced proximity making us think we are a great fit. But that was for next-week-us to start figuring out. This-week-us was a little busy making sure our town was going to have the best festival ever.
I turn toward the back of the booths to find Mary placing a table and chairs on top of a variety of colorful rugs.
She waves excitedly from her booth, turning back toward her eclectic decor before I can even reciprocate.
A few more booths seem to have movement to them now as people carry boxes of their goods to sell to set up. I check my watch quickly, noting that it was almost seven already.
“Only three more hours to go.” The nerves are starting to wrack through me as my words waver slightly.
Logan reaches out, rubbing his hand along my upper arm and giving a small squeeze before letting go. I look down between us and note his sneakers, the muddy ones he only wears on the trails.
“Going for a run?”
He shakes his head, scratching at the back. “Just got back. Took a couple of loops on the trails to get the blood pumping.”
I scrunch my face in disgust, causing Logan to throw his head back laughing. Placing my lips around the coffee lid in my hand, I take a long sip.
A smirk unleashes on my face and Logan narrows his eyes playfully, waiting for whatever I’m about to say.
“I thought I got your blood pumping pretty good when we woke up this morning. Guess it wasn’t that good, then.”
A low growl releases from his chest as he takes a small step toward me. “Waking up with your mouth on me might be the greatest way to start my day.”
“I’ll have to remember that,” I suggest coyly.
We share a heated look and I almost think he’s going to reach out to pull me in for another kiss. The thought shines through his eyes, but he blinks it away. I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows, sending a shock wave straight to my core.
“Don’t look at me like that, Gwen.”
