CLANDESTINE | HS |

TWENTY FOUR

Harry

"You can't sit in there."

Toto tilts her head to the side, almost as she understands exactly what I'm saying a moment before she rolls over onto her back, a loud meow letting me know that she does.

"Come on, up you go." Reaching down, I pick her up and muzzle into her soft fur. "Are you gonna miss me?"

A soft meow and a rolling pur tells me that she will. At least that's what I'm going to tell myself. Tomorrow after work I'll drive by Logan's and pick her up before we head out to the lake house. Just the two of us.

The more time I spend with her, the more I crave it.

Her time.

Her attention.

It's like a drug that hits just as hard as it did the first time, every single time I'm with her.

With Logan I feel so at peace, so warm.

Happy.

That first day that I saw her, I knew that she was special— unlike anyone else I'd ever seen before.

Now?

Now I know that she is. Special.

There's not even a speck of doubt in my mind about the way I feel for her.

A feeling so strong that you could hear it without even the smallest sound, with the lights out it was the brightest ray of light even surrounded in the darkness.

Without a doubt in my mind I was in love with her.

So fucking in love.

Logan was everything I'd ever dreamed of.

With her kind and warm smile all the way to the way she thinks, the deep and intellectual thoughts that she never fails to share with me.

All of her traits pull me in, luring me to my undeniable fate, one that I'll gladly accept.

Even though we spent the night with each other, there was something about the idea of going out of town together that made me feel excited. Giddy almost.

I think about the last time we were there, sleeping on different levels— knowing that this time we would get to sleep in the same bed. At the end of the night, I wouldn't be stuck laying on the couch staring at the ceiling thinking about her skin brushing against mine.

I wouldn't have to wonder.

Instead, I could have what I've always wanted.

I could give in to the thoughts that plagued me for far too long.

I could have it.

I could have her.

_________

"This looks great, Harry."

Lauren runs her hand over the smooth service of the arbor that stands inside of my shop, the dark stain finally dry.

"Thanks." I reach for the cloth on top of my work station, dusting off my hands. "Getting it to the venue should be easy enough and then the florist can set it up."

"Are you going to come get it on the tear down?" Turning to look at me, she crosses her arms in front of herself as her hip rests against the work table.

"Just let me know what time to get it, I'll be there." Crossing the space and grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator, I look over at her.

Like me, her green eyes are bright and her dark hair borders on unruly. "As of right now if you could bring it by around three that would be perfect."