51. Thea
thea
The restaurant was extra busy tonight, and busy was good. The patrons of the high school dance had all come in in a rush to eat before the dance, and I got the pleasure of watching Lue have fun with all her friends before she left.
She gave me a big hug when she did, and I felt my heart swell at that.
I seriously love that kid.
Too bad her dad wasn’t as forgiving.
I have been at it for weeks, showing up and making it known that I wasn’t giving up on us, but in the back of my mind, I was preparing my heart for something to drop.
I wasn’t sure where his head was at, but when I stood there and took a picture with Lue earlier, I swear I felt his finger glide along my side.
Could have been an accident.
I don’t think it was.
But I wasn’t giving up, at least not yet. Not until he told me I should, not until he clarified that whatever we had before the whole me getting kidnapped thing was over and done with.
I don’t want to keep trying to pursue him if he is done with me. But wouldn’t he have said that? Wouldn’t he pull me aside and let me know he was over whatever we had?
Night comes on quickly, and the dance floor was full tonight. Some parents of Lue’s friends had come in for the night, and I nodded politely at them, both feeling part of that group and not at all.
Standing behind the bar and serving, I keep going. I don’t stop to allow my brain to keep overthinking every little thing, every little move, every little word, every interaction.
I just keep moving.
Until my neck tingles, and I freeze.
I know it doesn’t happen, but I feel like the whole restaurant goes quiet for a moment, and I slowly turn my head to look toward the door.
And standing there, in his finest button-down, his freshly shaped hat and shiny boots, is Logan.
My breath catches in my throat, and my eyes water.
It is Friday.
And he is here.
It’s been a couple of months now since he was here for a Friday night.
I stare at him until he nods at me and makes it clear that he’s here for me.
Oh god.
Without waiting, I push myself toward him, dodging people as they attempt to get in my way and limping when my thigh throbs after being on my feet for hours.
When I’m within reach, Logan reaches out, and for the first time in a month, I’m in his arms again, and his mouth is attached to mine, holding me to him as I melt.
He fully holds onto me, wrapping his arms around my waist and mine wind around his shoulders. My fingers, of their own accord, weave into his hair, and I feel a sob rising into my throat, but I force it down.
Relief.
Sweet, sweet relief allows me to freely love this man again.
Not that I ever stopped.
We pull away, and my mouth can’t hold it in any longer. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I shouldn’t have pulled away; I should have let you help me. I promise I’ll let you help me.”
Logan smiles at me, and ever so faintly under his beard, I see his dimple pop through. I reach up to brush a finger across it.
“I’m sorry too, I never should have let you walk away from me.”
I shake my head, not disagreeing but overwhelmed by the way my heart is pounding in my chest right now.
“I love you,” I whisper to him, still holding onto him like he’s about to slip out of my hands.
“I love you too, Thea Cash.”
“I promise I won’t leave again.”
“You better.” He presses his forehead to mine, his hat raising slightly. “You made a vow.”
I smile at him, and when he prompts us to move, I let him lead me to the dance floor.
Seeing my limp, he presses me so close that he’s practically holding me off the ground, spinning us around and swaying side to side as he dances us around the floor.
For the first time in months, I take a deep breath and let go.