Dating and Dragons (Dungeons and Drama, #2) (48)

Another gust of cold air hits my back and I shiver. “Sorry, I want to get home and into something soft and warm.”

“I can drive you,” Logan says immediately.

My heart leaps in my chest. That sounds simultaneously like the best and worst decision.

“You just said you have to work,” I argue. “It’ll be out of your way.”

“Your house isn’t that far from the shop.”

Can everyone else feel the heat of his words? It’s like they’re pressing into my skin.

“I’m happy to drive you, too, if you need a ride,” Kashvi says.

“If you don’t mind,” I tell her, and give Logan a small smile—careful not to meet his eye for more than a moment—before saying goodbye to everyone.

Kashvi and I spend the first few minutes of the drive rehashing the day, particularly our favorite costumes from the other customers. Mine was probably the blond girl dressed as a brightly colored bard complete with her own lute.

“How are you feeling after your run-in?” Kashvi asks. “It must have been horrible seeing your old friends again like that.”

I slump into the seat a bit more. “Yeah, it was. I didn’t talk to Caden, thank god. But I couldn’t avoid Paige.”

“Did she sound apologetic at all?”

“The exact opposite, actually.”

I kick myself again for the missed opportunity to say everything I’ve wanted to. I could have told her how grateful I am now that she’s out of my life. That it felt like cutting out a sore that was rotting me from the inside. That nothing had changed for me without her, except I was happier. Although, given the fact that I was practically hyperventilating in the corner after talking to her for a few minutes, she clearly still has an effect on me.

“I wish I’d been there,” Kashvi practically growls. “I’d have told her what a selfish, two-faced ex-friend she is. But at least you had Logan with you for moral support.”

“Mmm, yes.” My heart races at the memory. Yep, Logan was definitely up for supporting me in whatever way I wanted him to.

In my mind, he lifts his hand to my cheek again and I imagine what it might have been like had I leaned forward and kissed him. Maybe it wouldn’t have been a good kiss and I’d have put everything in jeopardy for nothing. Maybe I would have kissed him and realized there was nothing between us, like what happened with Caden. But I never swayed in Caden’s presence the way I do with Logan. I never even particularly liked talking to him when the rest of the group wasn’t around, but I’d happily spend hours talking to Logan about D&D campaigns, or possibly anything at all.

“It was nice of him to give you this.” Kashvi tugs on the cloak that’s spread across the seat, and my stomach twists with guilt. I’ve got to get my mind off him.

“It wasn’t a big deal—I got cold waiting for food outside.”

“That sounds like Logan. As kind as he is cute.” Kashvi raises her eyebrows at me as she parks in front of my house. Oh god, my emotions must be so obvious it’s like they’re written across my forehead for anyone to read.

I jump out of the car, feeling jittery. “Thanks for the ride. I’d invite you in, but my parents are scraping wallpaper off the hallway walls and it’s a total mess in there.”

“No problem, I’m ready to get into pajamas and curl under at least three blankets. It was fun hanging out today, though!”

“Absolutely. See you soon.”

I wait until she’s driven down the street and take a deep breath. Well, I don’t think she suspected anything. Not really. Now I just need to make sure that continues…forever…and everything will be good. No big deal.

I pull out my phone, debating if I should text Logan to tell him I still have his cloak or if that’s asking for trouble, only to find that he’s already texted me.

Logan: I wish you had let me drive you home

I tip my head up to the sky and moan. As much as I wish I could shove my phone back in my bag and forget him or tell him to stop texting me…I wish he’d driven me home too.

“Why are you moaning?”

I spin to find Andrew outside holding a trash bag. He’s wearing sweatpants and an old soccer T-shirt with some paint splatters. Looks like I missed out on a big workday.

“And why are you wearing that?” His expression is a mixture of shock and disgust as he takes in my revealing costume.

“We all dressed up in costumes. Stop spying on me.”

“Are you supposed to be a Kardashian or something?”

I groan. “Never mind, it doesn’t matter.”

“Was that Kashvi in the car?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“You should have invited her in.” He stares down the street even though she’s already long gone.

“What’s with you and Kashvi anyway?” I ask. My tone comes out more accusatory than I mean for it to, but I’m at my emotional limit. “You were acting weird at the soccer game too.”

“She’s cute, she’s cool, she helps me in biology. She isn’t dating anyone, right?”

“No, but she’s also older than you and she’s my friend.”

He grins at me. “I have no problem dating older women. And I’ll try not to hold your friendship against her—her judgment in friends clearly isn’t flawless, but she can’t be perfect.”