Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Piper: You’re going to make me cry, Logan. I want you so badly. It hurts. And there’s something else.
Logan: Something else?
Piper: Yeah, and I know how this will sound. But it’s something I can’t tell you over a text. I’ve been trying to work up the courage to text for two days. I kept Ruby up half the night talking about it.
Logan: Ruby’s back in the city? What is it?
Piper: She came home a week ago. She and her mom have been staying with us. Elliot has apologized a hundred times for being a hypocrite, but he still doesn’t seem like he’s going to let up. What if he never does?
Logan: Once this crap with Sal is over, he’ll have to see how much we love each other.
Piper: LOVE? Do you mean that, Logan? Do you love me?
Before I can respond, another text comes through.
Piper: Because I love you. I love you so much, I barely understand it. I love how vulnerable you are with me in moments, then steely and strong the next. I love how dedicated you are. I love that I can imagine a future with you. A marriage, kids. Please stop me if I’m going too far. Tell me if I’m making you feel trapped.
Logan: No. I won’t stop you because you could never make me feel trapped. A marriage, kids, a future with you. It’s all I want. When I thought everything would end in that basement, I saw it all so clearly. I loved you the moment we kissed, Beautiful, and I’ve never stopped loving you since.
Piper: I love you so much.
She replies with a long line of heart emojis.
Piper:
Logan: What’s this big news you need to tell me?
Piper: I can’t over text. We need to meet. In person.
Logan: Elliot won’t be happy about that.
Piper: I know, but this is BIG. I need to see you.
Logan: Then we should do it soon. Tonight.
Piper: Why do we have to do it soon?
Logan: You seem eager to share the news.
Piper: Are you worried if we don’t do it soon, something terrible will happen with Sal? Are you worried you won’t be around to hear the news?
I swallow. Even in a text, she sees right through me. That is what I was thinking, but I don’t want to worry her. That presents an issue. I don’t want to lie to her, either.
Logan: I’m going to do whatever it takes to help the FBI get Sal. If that means putting myself in harm’s way again, then that’s what I’ll do. I know this isn’t what you want to hear.
Piper: Come by the apartment later. I need to see you, but if you come to the office, I won’t be able to work for the rest of the day. I’ll break down. You said you’ve been waking thinking I’m in bed with you. Well… ditto. But I’ve gone one step further. It’s pretty freaking sad. I’ve been hugging pillows, imagining they’re you.
My heart aches. And even now, as we get emotional, there’s an undercurrent of steaminess.
Logan: I’d imagine pillows are you. But I might end up doing some very strange things to said pillows.
She sends several laughing face emojis.
Piper:
Piper: I just laughed so loud; Milo thinks I’ve gone insane. I’ve been so miserable since I last saw you.
Logan: I’m not even kidding. I’ve missed your heart, your soul, your intellect, your perseverance. But I’d be the world’s biggest liar if I said I didn’t miss your perfect curviness, too.
She sends a sweaty emoji.
Piper:
Piper: Later, Logan. I’ll talk to Elliot.
I take a breath, knowing this could go terribly wrong. But what if something happens during the standoff with Sal? I need to know what Piper wants to tell me.
Plus, there’s the sheer fact that my body is burning with desire to see her, even if it’s only for a few minutes, even if it’ll make my best friend hate me more than he already does.
CHAPTER 26
PIPER
“Let’s keep this civil,” Ruby says, touching Elliot’s arm and giving me a look. She’s the only one who knows about the bombshell I’m preparing to drop.
Elliot smiles tightly, standing behind the couch, before reaching over and taking Ruby’s hand. They’ve shown plenty of affection in front of me. Each time, Elliot seems awkward if his gaze strays to me, almost like he feels guilty for making Logan and me live in a world of ‘what if’ while he gets to be with his one and only.
When the apartment buzzer goes off, my heart leaps in my chest. My body tingles. I need to keep the steamy half of my anticipation firmly and stubbornly buried. But the recent news has put me even more on edge than before.
“I’ll get it,” Ruby says, leaving us.
Elliot watches her go with a warm smile, then turns to me, his expression tightening. “Are you sure this is a good idea?” he says.