strong you could smell it down the street. I loved it. “That’ll be $4.95.”
“Okay,” I said, reaching my hand into my purse. I groped around for my wallet, but couldn’t find it. I wrenched the purse wide open and peered inside, but my wallet was nowhere to be found. I slapped my hand to my forehead as I realized I had left it in my parents’ kitchen. I was in such a hurry to leave the house that I hadn’t grabbed it.
“Piper?” Angie asked.
“I’m so sorry, Angie,” I sputtered. “I must have left my wallet at home…”
“I got it,” a voice said from behind me. I spun around to see Logan stepping out of line and making his way toward me. “Add a small coffee to that, please Angie.”
“You got it,” Angie smiled.
Logan laid a ten-dollar bill on the counter and waved away his change. He picked up his coffee and my scones, leading the way outside. When we stepped onto the sidewalk I realized I was blushing with embarrassment.
“Thank you,” I said with sincerity. “Really, I appreciate it.”
“Hey,” he said. He handed me my bag of scones. Our hands brushed when I took it from him. I blushed deeper. “You helped me bypass the line. Technically, I owe you.”
“If you say so,” I laughed.
“You’re laughing,” he pointed out. “I guess that means you don’t hate me as much today.”
“I’m sorry about yesterday, Logan,” I said softly. “You just… you took me by surprise. I didn’t think I would see you again. Ever. I just wasn’t ready.”
“It’s okay,” Logan shrugged. “I probably deserved at least some hostility from you.”
“Well yeah,” I smiled. “Just a smidge.”
Logan laughed and glanced nervously around. He shifted his feet from side to side and tucked his free hand inside his pocket. When our eyes met again, I saw a glimpse of the man I used to know. His dark eyes were deep with unspoken emotion. I couldn’t bring myself to look away.
“Listen,” he said. “Piper… I…”
“Do you want to sit down somewhere?” I asked quickly. “To talk? You know, catch up a little bit?”
Logan’s smile was one of relief.
“I would love that,” he said. He gestured toward the benches across the street. I led the way, my scones gripped tightly in my shaking hands. I was more nervous than I’d ever been.
When we slid onto the bench, Logan took a sip of his coffee and pulled out my lemon scone. I took a bite to avoid talking too quickly.
After a few minutes, I knew it was time to break the silence.
“So,” I said. “Tell me everything.”
Thirteen
Logan
I didn’t expect to see her again so soon, but there she was. Standing at the counter with flushed cheeks. She was searching frantically in her purse for her wallet. She mumbled something to Angie and I moved forward without thinking. The next thing I knew, she was apologizing for being rude the day before. She was explaining herself and asking me to sit down and talk with her. I couldn’t believe how quickly things changed between us. Not even twenty-four hours before she couldn’t wait to get away from me.
“Tell me everything,” she said as we sat down together. I sipped my coffee and she nibbled her scone. I could tell she was nervous.
“Honestly,” I said. “I’d love to, but I really want to hear about you first. What’s your life like in New York?”
Piper hesitated for a fraction of a second. She glanced nervously at my face with a shy smile before launching into her story.
“It’s amazing,” she said with a wide smile. “When I passed the bar, I didn’t expect to be hired anytime soon. I thought I would have to wait months or even years before a decent firm picked me up, but it wasn’t even a week. Smith and Tucker called me in on a Monday. They interviewed me. Then, offered me the position the next day. It felt like a dream, Logan. Sometimes I still can’t believe it actually happened. I sit in my office in awe that I actually ended up there. Who would have thought, you know? No matter how much I dreamt of it, I don’t think I ever believed I would make it out of Bradberry.”
“I always knew you would. You were made for something more. I’m proud of you, Piper,” I said and I meant it more than anything. “You’re doing exactly what you’ve always wanted to do. That’s amazing. Plus, I bet life in New York City is pretty exciting.”