Page 13 of That Last Secret
“You know.” I wiggle my hands in the air and laugh nervously. “Studying for hours on end and night shifts in between. It’s a lot for someone to handle. It’s a lot of late nights and many sleepless days.”
Now I’m rambling nervously.
“Yeah, I guess.” Peyton shrugs before she picks up her phone, buzzing on the table, to read her text. “Oh, Thomas is almost here.” She reaches for the check the server placed on our table moments ago. “This one’s on me tonight, girls.”
“I’ll leave the tip today,” I say, reaching for my bag.
By the time I finish shuffling through my purse and wallet to place some cash on the table, my brother walks in to pick up Peyton.
I can’t help but watch how Thomas’ eyes light up when he sees her in a room. It’s almost as if everything around them fades, and all he sees is her. Peyton moves from the table and leaps into his arms as if they haven’t seen each other in days.
One day, I want that kind of love.
Someone who looks at me like I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to them.
My lips curve into a smile when a throat clears behind Thomas. Standing directly behind him is Logan.
I feel the smile on my face falter, but not enough that anyone would notice. I stuff my hands in the pockets of my jeans to avoid nervously fidgeting with them. Being around Logan makes me feel on edge, especially with how he’s staring at me with such intensity.
I hate that he has to look so damn good.
He’s dressed casually, but I swear he can make a paper bag look good. His tousled dark brown hair matches the color of his eyes boring into mine. He’s clearly aggravated I’m here.
Trust me, I feel the same.
Peyton releases Thomas from a hug before she notices Logan standing beside him. “Oh. Hi, Logan.”
He moves his gaze to her and a smile spreads on his face as he wasn’t just staring at me annoyed. “Hey, Pey. How was your guys’ dinner?”
“It was good. What are you doing here?”
“Logan and I grabbed a bite to eat while we waited for you, babe,” Thomas answers for him. “Old Jose was on the way to his truck, so we just picked you up first.”
“That makes sense,” she says as she wraps her arms around Thomas’ neck again and presses up to her toes before kissing him.
“Damn. I missed you too, baby.” My brother laughs.
“I’m going to head out,” I say, grabbing my purse on the chair.
“Do you want a ride?” Thomas asks.
“No,” I answer way too quickly, shaking my head. “No, thank you. I’ll be fine.”
“But it’s freezing out,” Thomas argues. “And all you have on is that long-sleeved shirt.”
I glance in Logan’s direction and see amusement on his face because this entire conversation is strangely similar to our coffee shop run-in last week.
“I’ll be fine,” I say.
“Hold on.” Thomas stops me before I can walk away, and then he looks at Logan. “Don’t you have that extra sweatshirt in the back of my car?”
Logan snaps his head in his direction but doesn’t move. Almost like he’s shocked that my brother just offered me his sweatshirt.
“You want me to give her my hoodie?” Logan confirms, making sure he heard him correctly.
“Yeah?” He furrows his brows. “She can’t walk back to her apartment in this weather. I know it’s March, but it’s record breaking cold out there. The weather doesn’t know what it wants to do.” He rolls his eyes.
“It’s only two blocks, Thomas,” I tell him.