Page 48 of Chocolate Cake for Breakfast
Logan walks over and sits down facing me on the loungerKatrina just vacated, his forearms resting on his thighs. ‘If I’d knownsomething this bad had happened to you, Martha...’ He shakeshis head slowly. ‘I would have come to see you in hospital.’
I swallow, my throat dry as dust. ‘But you didn’t know. Andthat was my fault. I... I should have phoned you.’
‘The benefit of hindsight, eh?’
‘Yes.’
In the brief silence that follows, we smile awkwardly at oneanother.
‘How did you hurt yourself?’ he asks at last, and I tell himabout trying to help someone who fell off a wall, losing their two front teethin the process.
‘So you put yourself at risk to help a stranger?’
I shrug as if it was nothing. ‘Anyone would have done what Idid.’
He shakes his head. ‘You’re wrong. I just wish I’d known.When you didn’t show up that day, I thought...’ He shrugs.‘Well, I thought you’d changed your mind about meeting me.’
I shake my head. ‘No, Ireallywanted to...’I swallow, breaking off, not wanting to embarrass him by being too needy. ‘Imean I had every intention of meeting you at the top of the clock tower thatday, but...’
‘Events took over.’ He nods. ‘The best-laid plans, eh?’
‘Exactly.’
He studies me for a moment and I wish I knew what he wasthinking. If I jokingly suggested we should try again... meetat the top of the tower... would he agree? Or has too muchtime elapsed to pick up where we left off? It feels awkward between us now,that’s for sure.
‘So... how about we chat over a bite toeat later on?’ he suggests with a shrug, as if he doesn’t mind either way. Thenhe frowns. ‘But what about your triggers? Can you eat out?’
‘Not really.’ My heart is beating fast. ‘But it would benice to chat.’
He nods. ‘You could come to mine, if you like. Can you eateggs? I’m known for my inventive ways with omelettes... ifyou fancy?’
I smile. ‘That would work. Buthowinventive?’
He grins ruefully. ‘I made a beetroot omelette once and myflatmates never let me forget it. The colour was amazing.’
‘Bright pink?’
‘Exactly. Am I turning you off the idea?’
I laugh, feeling better for the first time today.‘Surprisingly not.’
‘No? Hell, youmustbe hungry.’ His blue eyes crinklein a smile... a smile I haven’t seen in a long time, althoughI’ve dreamed about it. A smile that lifts my spirits and makes my heart canteralong hopefully.
‘So... why don’t you follow me back to myplace when we’re finished here?’ he suggests. ‘If we lose each other, you’ve...still got my number?’
I swallow. ‘My phone broke in the accident.’
‘Oh, right. Got a new one?’ We swap numbers. Then he stands up.‘Better go in to lunch.’
‘I’ll just need to call my dad later. He’s...having some tests done today and they’re keeping him overnight in hospital.’
‘Of course. Is he okay?’ He shakes his head. ‘Stupidquestion.’
I sigh. ‘We don’t really know. I guess we just have to waitfor the results of the tests.’
The sympathy in Logan’s eyes makes me wobble a bit, but Iblink away the tears and smile. ‘The offer of your omelette’s the best thingthat’s happened to me in a while.’
‘Really?’ He pretends to look aghast. ‘Hell, Martha, youarehaving a bad day.’
