Chapter 35
XXXV
LOGAN
He’d meant to tell her about New York, but something stopped him.
As they walked back to the station in silence, his thoughts started to spiral.
What she’d confessed wasn’t just the usual exchange of struggles between friends; it was heavier than that.
And he wondered then, if she were a stranger, how he’d respond.
Somewhere deep down, he knew he had a duty, a promise he’d made to report anyone at risk.
But he couldn’t bring himself to do that to her. He wouldn’t.
“He will be okay,” he finally said, glancing at her. “It’ll take time, but you’ll see.”
“You seem so convinced.”
“I mean, every case is different, but he has something very few do.”
“What’s that?”
“You.”
She swallowed, her gaze drifting to the footpath where lines of mismatched footsteps were padded in the snow. “I’m failing him.”
“The fact you’re here means you aren’t failing him.”
“Don’t tell me what I want to hear.”
He nudged her gently, pocketing his hands. “Remember? I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I’d never lie to you, Daisy. Ever.”
They walked in silence, their footsteps slow and in sync, until they reached the end of the street and paused at the crossing. Daisy waited, almost as if expecting him to say something more, but when the silence stretched, she exhaled a sigh that sounded heavier than it should have.
“Can I…can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
She hesitated, cheeks flushed against the cold. “This is embarrassing, but I have to know.” She paused and inhaled a short laugh. “Did you ever have a thing for me, or was that in my head? I know none of it—”
“I did,” Logan cut in. “Did you?”
She laughed again, but it sounded nervous. “Yeah,” she admitted. “I did. Don’t laugh at this, but at one point, I was convinced I was in love with you.”
“In love with me?” he teased.
“Yes,” she said, covering her face. “I know it’s embarrassing—”
“It isn’t embarrassing.”
She pulled a face. “It is so.”
He would’ve told her then how she wasn’t alone. But in his head, she was vulnerable. She’d just confessed to him about Callan, and he didn’t want her emotions to override rational thought.
Timing, he told himself. Timing mattered.
“You know,” he said instead, “I think when we connect with someone, really connect, it’s a magical thing.”
She looked up at him, her expression unreadable. “Do you think we did?”
He hesitated, then nodded. “I think we still do.”
They walked the rest of the way to the station in silence.
Daisy seemed to be lost in her thoughts, and each time he glanced at her, she’d avoid his gaze.
He hated himself for it, the fact that he couldn’t be honest. But contrary to belief, honesty wasn’t always in the best interests of the ones we love.
Sometimes, silence was a form of love too.
As they rounded the corner and the lights of the station came into view, he reached for her hand without looking, and they stopped.
“I’m sorry,” he said, keeping his gaze fixed ahead, knowing if he looked at her, he’d combust.
She squeezed his hand—once, twice—as if trying to grab his attention, but he refused.
“I can’t,” he whispered.
“You can’t what?”
“Look at you right now.”
And then slowly, she released him, and the seconds of silence followed like an unspoken conversation. She knew then; she would’ve had to have known.
They fell out of communication after that night, and Logan questioned whether it was his failure to be honest with her or the fact that neither of them had truly moved on.
He allowed the distance, chalking it up as something they both needed.
And once again, time slipped into its cycle, the months dissolving faster than he could keep track of.
It wasn’t long before his work began hinting at something more permanent, and casual remarks in meetings turned into formal discussions.
His progress had been undeniable. He’d made breakthroughs that turned heads, and it had helped him rediscover a love for neurology that had started to wane.
Meanwhile, the charity back in the UK was thriving under new leadership.
It was, by all accounts, the perfect time to start fresh.
But a part of his story still felt unfinished.
“You seem hesitant,” Kyle said one afternoon, leaning against the doorway of Logan’s office like he owned the place.
Kyle always spoke like he knew exactly what you were thinking, and that whatever it was, it couldn’t possibly rival the brilliance of his own thoughts.
Logan had never really warmed to him. He’d always come across as cold, all intellect and no emotional intelligence.
But his understanding of the brain was unmatched by anyone Logan had ever met.
Logan laughed softly, running a hand down the side of his jaw. “No, I’m definitely interested.”
Kyle raised an eyebrow. “But?”
“But...there’s a lot to consider.”
Kyle scoffed lightly, pushing off the doorframe and strolling into the office uninvited.
“Consider? What exactly is there to consider? You’ve got a world-class lab at your fingertips, unlimited research funding, a team that actually listens to you, and let’s not forget, the food here is incredible.
The women are stunning. You’re making more money than most people in our field will ever see in their lifetime. What more could you want?”
Logan arched an eyebrow. “There’s more to life than that.”
“Oh, come on,” Kyle said, waving a hand. “Isn’t it always cold and raining there? I’ve been to London twice. It’s a miserable place.”
“I like the cold,” Logan replied dryly.
Kyle smirked. “We’ve got offices in Minneapolis.”
Logan couldn’t help but laugh again, shaking his head. “Look, I’m heading back to London for a week next week. I’ll have my decision to you by the time I get back.”
From the look on Kyle’s face, he clearly wasn’t thrilled about the delay, but if life had taught Logan anything, it was that nothing good came from rushed decisions. If he was going to make it work, he had to be sure.