I will. I’ll call soon, we’ll talk and catch up more. Just wanted to check in.
He always had. Even when Pierce had lived in England, he’d always checked in with her regularly. Tess was so glad that even though he was married now, his life full in different ways, they were still close. Glad you did, she wrote. Yes, let’s talk soon. Love you, Soccer Boy.
Love you too, Tessie. Be good.
Tess smiled as she put down the phone. The kettle whistled and she moved it to a different burner, then crossed to the far cupboard and rummaged through the many tins and boxes of tea. There had to be close to twenty different kinds. She couldn’t help it—she loved hot tea on a cold winter’s day or night, so every time she saw a kind of tea that she thought she might like, she got it. Another one of her indulgences, she supposed, recalling that chat with Logan . . .
Logan. Ugh. She pushed him out of her mind. She didn’t want to be upset with him. She knew what she’d asked of him was huge, and didn’t blame him for declining. It was the total silence afterwards that had her so damn disappointed in him.
Deciding to go with the hot cinnamon spice, she dunked the tea bag into her mug once, twice—and the doorbell rang, making her startle. Bubbles barked like mad from the other room and came racing by, a blur of white fur and sound, flying right for the door.
Tess wasn’t expecting anyone. Her heart skipped a beat; could it actually be Logan? Nah, he was staying away from her like she had the plague. Her long legs had her across the house in a few seconds. “Who’s there?” she asked loudly over Bubbles’s barking, through the door.
“It’s me, Tess.”
Wow, it was Logan. Interesting. A wave of something whooshed through her, a mixture of trepidation, annoyance, and a little thrill. But the annoyance took over. She straightened to her full height, her chin held high as she opened the door . . . and didn’t say a word. She just looked at him. Frigid mountain air rushed in.
Bubbles barked and yipped and leapt up to Logan for attention.
“Hey there, little miss.” He bent briefly to pet the dog and give her some love. After a few seconds, appeased, Bubbles took off, headed back to the warmth of her doggie bed by the fireplace. He straightened up again and offered Tess an awkward grin that was more like a grimace. “Hey.” His voice was soft, tentative.
He stood there in his usual outfit: blue ski jacket over a navy fleece hoodie, jeans, work boots, navy wool hat pulled down over his mop of blond hair . . . and hints of frost in his beard that glinted as the light hit. Did he have to be so damned handsome?
“Hello.” She kept her tone and gaze cool, affable but not welcoming.
He shifted his stance as his eyes traveled over her in brief appraisal. She didn’t know what he was assessing; she wore a red and black striped sweater over black leggings. Nothing glamorous. She grew more irritated by the second. Her limbs felt taut from holding back the tension. She swept her long hair back and lifted her chin another notch.
Then he said, “Your body language is screaming fuck you, Logan, go away. I don’t blame you. I’ve been an asshole. I handled all this horribly.”
Astonishment sucker-punched her. But all she said was, “Yup.”
He nodded, and she could see the remorse in his eyes. It was genuine. At least that was one thing she knew for sure about Logan Carter. He was a lot of things, but he wasn’t a liar. He was as true as they came. He cleared his throat and said, “I’m here because I’d like to talk. To apologize, and . . . some other things. If you’ll hear me out. Can I come in?”
Her heart melted a little, but she’d be damned if she’d let him see that. “Sure.” She moved aside to let him pass. He entered the foyer and looked to her for cues; she turned and walked farther into the house. “I was just making some tea. Would you like some?”
“No, thank you,” he said as she went back to the kitchen, and he followed. “So . . . how are you?”
“Fine, thanks.” She removed the tea bag from her mug and placed it on a nearby saucer. She lifted the steaming cup to her face and inhaled the delicious scent of the tea, her eyes closing for a second from the pleasure. Then she turned away, saying over her shoulder, “Let’s talk in the dining room.” It was more formal there. The thought of curling up beside him on the couch was more than she wanted right then. “And take off your coat if you’re staying.”