And just like that, with that one sentence, I felt a strange mix of defeat and relief.

Maia packed a small bag that afternoon and Shannon came to collect her. It was embarrassing that they were both in on my decision, and as much as I tried to convince Maia that there was no need for her to give Logan and me privacy because nothing was going to happen, she wouldn’t listen. And neither would a very giddy Shannon.

Thus I was left to pace the sitting room in Logan’s flat while I waited for him to return from work. The nervous butterflies in my stomach would not stop flapping their wings at one another, and more than a few times I changed direction toward the exit, ready to give up before even trying.

As I paced the room, I took it in and how different it was since the first time I walked in there. There had been unpacked boxes lying around and not a stick of furniture except for the L-shaped leather sofa. And, of course, the television was mounted on the wall opposite it.

Now he’d added the armchair Maia had gushed about to the room. It was this huge black velvet snug chair with a matching footstool. Both Maia and I could fit on it at the same time. Along with the television on the wall there was a silver-framed mirror above the sofa that I’d picked out when helping Logan with Maia’s room. On the wall by the door were photographs that Maia had put up. There were two of Logan and Shannon when they were younger, a photo of Shannon with Cole, a selfie of Logan and Maia that Maia had taken on her phone, and another photograph that caused the ache in my chest to throb.

It was a photograph of me with Logan and Maia at the dinner with Jo, Cam, Shannon, and Cole. Shannon had told the three of us to scoot together and she’d taken the photo on her phone.

Now it was hanging up on Logan’s wall.

I knew it was Maia’s doing, but still…

In addition to the photograph, luxurious curtains framing the window gave the room more warmth. They were cream trimmed in navy, and I’d bought matching scatter cushions for the sofa to tie it together. A coffee table sat in the middle of the room, a rug underneath it.

Altogether it was a very different room.

It was a room in a home.

And he’d done it for Maia.

Like always, the thought made me melt more than just a little.

The front door opened and slammed mid-melting.

I tensed.

“Maia?” Logan’s deep voice boomed through the flat without him having to even raise it. “You fancy Chinese tonight?”

His footsteps padded toward the sitting room. “Maia?”

He appeared in the doorway and drew to a stop at the sight of me.

I shrugged, giving him a nervous smile and feeling very close to passing out. “She’s staying at Shannon’s.”

Logan raised an inquiring eyebrow as he took a step into the room. “For any reason?”

“To give us some privacy so we can talk.”

The corners of his mouth turned up just a fraction. “Is my night looking up, Grace?”

I rolled my eyes at the wicked rumble in his words. “Not in that way. I said talk, Logan.”

He gestured to the armchair as he sat down on the sofa. “Then let’s talk.”

“You’re sure you’re not too tired from work?” I said, hoping to stall.

Logan knew exactly what I was up to and he shook his head, mirth in his expression. “I’m perfectly energized.”

I narrowed my eyes at the innuendo. “I’m so glad I’m getting to see this side of you.”

“Oh, you haven’t seen anything yet, babe.”

“You’re filthy.”

He leaned forward, practically stripping me naked with his gaze. “You haven’t seen anything yet, babe,” he repeated slowly.

I shivered and squeezed my legs together. “Can we be serious?”

“I am being serious.”

“Logan.”

“Grace.”

I huffed and stood up. “I’m trying to tell you something here.”

“Then tell me.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I glowered down at him. “Now I’m not so sure.”

He stared up at me, all flirtation and teasing out of his expression now. “Tell me.”

I sucked in a huge breath and shakily released it. Locking eyes with him, I hoped I could say what I had to say without any misunderstanding between us. “I talked to Maia today.”

“Is she okay?”

I smiled at his immediate concern. “She’s fine. She’s very persuasive.”

Hope brightened his eyes. “Do I need to increase her allowance?”

I laughed lightly and looked at my feet. “Maybe.”

“Grace?”

When I looked into his face again, I shivered at the utter longing I found there. I knew if I wasn’t careful I could find that kind of attention addictive. “I still don’t trust you completely.”

He nodded carefully, tentatively, as though he didn’t want to scare me away.

“But Maia pointed out I’d never learn to trust you fully if I don’t give you a chance to earn it.”

“That is one smart kid.”

I smiled. “Yeah. She is. And I don’t want her to get hurt in this, so I need you to really think about this, Logan. Put aside the fact that I happened to be the person who was here for you when this huge change happened in your life, and put aside my closeness with Maia. I need you to really think about me, just me, and if I’m really the woman that you want.” I felt naked saying those words, so naked and vulnerable. “Will you do that?”

“I haven’t confused the situation,” he said. “Why would you think that I had?”