Page 16 of The Lost and the Found

Hayden

I got into the car,and my numb hands sought out the air vent for the warm heat. He didn’t pull the car forward, and we didn’t say anything for a long while.

I was the first to break the silence. It felt like losing somehow, but I didn’t care. “How long have you been out here?”

“Since I got off of work,” he said.

“And when was that?”

He pretended to think it through. “Hmm, about eight?”

“That’s over four hours! What are you doing, Logan?” Why would he wait around for me all this time? We were no more than strangers to each other.

“Well, I was thinking it was cold outside, and the girl who bandaged my wounds yesterday didn’t have a car. That meant she would be walking home tonight in the cold. I couldn’t stomach the thought.”

I didn’t know what to say to that, so I said nothing. I looked out the window as he put the car into drive and pulled away. I watched as the bar got smaller and smaller in the side mirror before turning to Logan.

I knew he could feel my eyes on him, but he didn’t say anything, so I continued to stare. I took in the ease at which he controlled the car, the power and confidence coming off of him in waves, like my own personal brand of aphrodisiac.

The qualities that I admired most about him, the ones that had the ability to turn me on, I realized, were the ones I lacked the most.

There was just something about Logan.He made me feel safe. And even if I would never admit this to him, I was glad he waited for me. My eyes burned, and I turned away.

This man should be careful.His kindness was lethal.

When he pulled up to my apartment, he put the car in park but didn’t turn off the engine. He didn’t plan on coming up. Something like disappointment churned in my stomach. I was bone tired, so I should be thankful he planned on leaving me alone for the rest of the night, not crave his company.

“Thank you,” I said, and I realized I should have said it first when he drove away.

He turned to me and looked like he was smiling. I couldn’t be sure. It was hard to tell in the dark. “Let me see your phone,” he said, holding out his hand.

My eyes narrowed on him. “Why?”

Now I knew he was smiling. I could see the gleam of his white teeth. “Text me when you’re off work tomorrow. I’ll be there to pick you up.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Well, I figured it would be easier than waiting four hours for you to get out.”

“No, I mean why would you go to so much trouble? We hardly know each other.”

“I know your name and you know mine. Shouldn’t that be enough?”

“No.”

He laughed. “Hayden.” I stilled at the sound of my name from his lips. “Please,” he added softly.

He didn’t give me a chance to answer. He grabbed my bag and dug around until he found the ancient phone. I didn’t say anything as the light from the phone illuminated his face, and I caught sight of the stubble along his jaw. What was it about his unshaven face that got to me? Would his jaw be as hard as it looked? How would it feel against my palm?

I looked away before I could give in to the urge to find out.

He handed my phone and my bag back.

“Get some rest. I’ll be out here until I see the light in your apartment turn on, okay?”

“Okay,” I said softly, my throat feeling clogged. Had anyone ever concerned themselves with my safety before? My mom had. But she was gone.

I didn’t say anything more. I didn’t want him to see how affected I was from those simple words.

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