Dating and Dragons (Dungeons and Drama, #2) (47)

“Logan…” I pull away and rub my hands over my eyes like I can rub some common sense into my brain. “I don’t know.”

He pulls his hands from me. “That’s fine. I meant what I said—you don’t owe me anything. But I promise, I would never treat you the way he did. You deserve so much better than that.”

“It’s not just that. Things like this can ruin friend groups. And D&D groups. You said it yourself when I first joined—there’s a rule against dating party members for a reason. It makes everything messy. You love being part of this group and so do I. I love hanging out with everyone—they’re all so tight-knit and I’m grateful they’ve included me. I can’t lie to them.”

“Right, yes. I did say that. I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize the group either.” He might be agreeing with me, but his eyes are still on my lips.

“Friends don’t look at each other like this.” I swallow. “And they don’t touch each other.”

“I’m well aware.” He takes a step away and puts his hands behind his back. “You have no idea how much self-control I’ve had to build up since meeting you.”

“I might have some idea. And you seem determined to tear down the thin layer of self-control I have left.”

“Thin?” he says hopefully.

“Thinner than the flimsy pages in the comics you just bought.”

He leans toward me again and then pulls away. We probably both look drunk, swaying into each other like this.

“But we’ve decided?” I whisper.

“It’s decided. Totally platonic. Nothing more.”

I nod. “And just out of morbid curiosity, if that self-control of yours had dropped a moment ago?”

“Then I’d have pressed you against that door and kissed you until the sun went down and I was your only source of heat.”

“Oh.” I try to swallow. “That’s, um, good to know.”

“Logan?” Kashvi’s voice calls from far away. “Quinn?”

I jolt back to reality. Holy hell, I’d forgotten anyone else was around. From the dazed look in Logan’s eyes, I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one.

Guilt swirls in me as we climb the steps. That was so close. What if Kashvi had found us hidden away like that? Or doing something more than talking?

“Quinn, are— Oh! Hey!” Kashvi hurries over. She looks between us and the small doorway we just came from. Her eyebrows lower and I know her mind is whirling, trying to understand what we possibly could have been doing down there together.

“Hey!” I wave too enthusiastically. “I missed you.”

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you. What were…”

I glance around, but Caden is nowhere to be seen, thank god. “People from my old group showed up here—the ones I told you about. I didn’t want to talk to them so, well, I ran off and hid.” Another wave of embarrassment washes over me. “Not my proudest moment, but Logan was nice enough to hide with me.”

Any confusion or worry drops from her face. “Are you freaking kidding me? They’re here?” She whips her head around. “Point me in the right direction so I can tell them off!”

“My thoughts exactly,” Logan mutters.

“They’re gone now—don’t worry about it. I’ve already gotten the best revenge, which is you all.”

Kashvi, Logan, the whole group—they’re all so good. I can’t lose them. Even if it means I can never have him.





Chapter Eighteen





It turns out Kashvi was looking for us because we won group costume. Winning means matching winner buttons, a lot of photos for the store’s social media, and gift certificates for store merchandise. We’ve pretty much done everything there is to do, so we head out after that. I’m already anticipating a potentially torturous ride back next to Logan, but he calls Sanjiv to the back with him to look at comics, so I ride next to Kashvi instead. I’m both relieved and disappointed. I’m the worst hypocrite, but I can’t help wanting to spend every second I can get next to Logan.

I recommend us listening to my favorite D&D podcast—The Smiling DM—rather than have everyone fight over music choices, and soon the whole car is laughing along with Stephanie and the zany campaign she’s put together. I’m glad they all like it as much as I do, but it’s hard to fully concentrate when I know Logan is right behind me. His words echo through my mind.

Then I’d have pressed you against that door and kissed you until the sun went down and I was your only source of heat.

How can a person have a logical thought when that sentence is on their mind?

“Does anyone want to hang out?” Mark asks when we’re back at his house. “Maybe a frozen pizza and a game of Catan?”

“I’m in,” Sanjiv replies. He’s always up for everything.

Sloane and Logan both shake their heads. “Work,” Sloane explains. “But come by if you want more pancakes.”

“Same,” Logan says. “I’m closing tonight.”

“Who buys ice cream in the middle of winter?” Sanjiv asks.

“You’d be surprised.” Logan rolls his eyes.