Page 19 of The Lost and the Found

So why wasn’t I running the other way?

He opened the passenger door for me, and I did something stupid: I got in willingly.

Logan walked to the driver side, and started the car, turning the heat on full blast when he noticed my shivering.

He didn’t drive off right away. We stayed there and watched the snow fall from the safety and warmth of his car, and as tired as I was, I didn’t want to go home to an empty apartment that didn’t feel like home. I wanted to stay in this car, with him, for the rest of the night.

Logan was first to break the silence. Did that make him the loser in our little stand-off? “Do you work tomorrow?”

I nodded. “Yes, I work every night except for Mondays and Wednesdays.”

“What time?”

“At four, why?”

“Good, I’ll be by around 3:30 to pick you up.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know. I want to. Believe me. And don’t argue with me, Hayden. You’ll lose.”

I opened my mouth, but what was I supposed to say to that? I shut my mouth and stared out the window. Logan put the car in drive, and even though he didn’t say anything, I knew he felt smug.

He dropped me off at my apartment and, like the night before, I both wanted to invite him in, and didn’t want to, either. Logan made the choice for me when he left the engine running, and I wasn’t brave enough to give out the invitation.

Again, he waited until I was in my apartment and the lights turned on before he pulled away. And just like last night, I stayed by the window and watched as he pulled away, only this time I didn’t feel so alone.

And I hated to even admit to this, but the promise of Logan being here tomorrow was what made me feel that way.

I shook my head and walked away, heading to the shower to take a long and hot one. I probably couldn’t afford to take so long, but for once in my life, I wanted to indulge, even if it were just for a little while.

---