AllFreeNovel
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I did the babbling thing times a trillion.
I scared off guys in droves.
It took time, but I dealt with my anxiety—thanks to some online therapy sessions—and made peace with my lack of kissing experience. My anxiety is mild and mostly centered around this one area. Though my therapist also pointed out some unhealthy things related to my dad and expectations that helped as well. My fidget ring helps whenever I’m feeling stressed or anxious. Not just about kissing but anything at all. It’s very calming.
In any case, now I’ve reached the point where I’m more than fine with my choice—and itisa choice. I’ve waited this long, and I’m not willing to settle for just any old meeting of the mouths with a random dude.
But what I do know is that it will be with someone special.
Logan is special, a little voice in my head tells me.
And heis, for more reasons than just the whole famous athlete thing, which honestly, I don’t care one lick about. Logan is special because he’s always been special. Back then and now again. Still. Whatever. The way he still makes me feel when we’re together.
But it’s not like I have any illusions of Logan sticking around Harvest Hollow. Or wanting something serious. And I’m not interested in casual. So … yeah.
Kissing Logan is not the best idea to have floating around in my brain.
Mia, however, seems to have other ideas. “You could always ask him to be your kissing co—”
“Stop right there. If you’re going to end that sentence sayingkissing coach, our friendship is over.”
Mia smirks. “I was going to say your kissingcohort.”
Sure, she was.
“This is all a moot discussion since Logan basically ran away when I asked him about the gala. Which leaves me in a quandary. Because I’mnotgoing to Dad’s gala with Aaron Wagner.”
Mia wrinkles her nose. “Gross. No.”
“What should I do?” I whine.
“Despite my concerns, I think you should go for it with Logan. I think you should walk right up to him and demand an answer,” she says.
I scoff. “Yeah, like that’s so easy.”
Mia tilts her wineglass toward something behind me. “It is, actually. Because Logan just came in with a bunch of guys from the team.”
I whip my head around and yep—there’s a conspicuously attractive group of men across the bar. Looks like Van, Eli, Felix, and Alec have brought Logan out. A tiny surge of motherly pride fills me. The guys are bringing Logan into the fold, exactly as I hoped they would.
I don’t have time to revel in this because Logan’s eyes meet mine across the crowded bar. I'm suddenly struggling to breathe. Without dropping my gaze, he stands.
“Looks like you won’t have to go over there and demand an answer,” Mia says, smiling smugly as she hops off her stool.
“No,” I whisper, unable to look away from Logan’s eyes until he’s so close I can see the green of his irises. How are his eyes sogreen?
“Be right back,” Mia says. “The bathroom is calling my name.”
“Don’t you dare leave me,” I hiss, but she’s already gone. I’m absolutely going to rescind her membership in my BFF club when she gets back.
Logan and I are still locked in what feels like an attempt at a Guinness World Record for longest eye contact. He slides onto the stool my ex best friend just vacated, looking comically large on it. Any second now, I expect the stool’s legs to snap like toothpicks under the sheer mass of that big body.
“Pete,” Logan says.
“Wolverine.” I hope I’m exuding calm and control rather than the complete panic happening inside me. All I know is that I cannot let my mouth run away with my brain again.
The tiniest smile lifts one corner of his mouth. “Sorry about earlier.” He shifts, finally breaking our marathon eye contact.
I exhale a long, slow breath, feeling like I’ve been released from a spell now that he’s broken eye contact. Under the table, I spin the beads on my ring, letting the movement ground me in the moment.
