Can't Let Go - By Michelle Brewer Page 0,28

weakness around, it was him.

It only complicated things that he was the only person she actually felt she could turn to. Who else would understand?

Certainly not her father. He was torn between loyalties.

Her fiancé? He hadn’t even liked her friends.

What other friends did she have? Nobody who would understand the gravity of what had just happened.

She heard the door open behind her and she turned, immediately regretting it. Her head spun and she reached out for the porch column to steady herself. “Whoa, you okay?”

“Just a little lightheaded,” Abby responded, shaking her head. “It’s nothing.” But of course, he wouldn’t believe her.

“When was the last time you ate something, Abby?” She paused for a moment, thinking back. She faintly remembered picking at a salad on the plane. “If you have to think that hard, it’s been too long.”

“I’ll just grab something—”

“No, you won’t, Abby. You’ll go back to your room and you’ll throw yourself into something else that needs to be taken care of and you’ll forget all about you.” He found her eyes through the tinted glass. “I want to sit across from you and make sure you get something in your stomach.”

He was right. She couldn’t believe she’d gone so long without so much as even thinking about food. With a reluctant sigh, she gave in, following him to his truck. He navigated the area like a pro and she wondered how much time he had actually spent here. It’d never really occurred to her to ask Hayley.

It was a small diner. The two received a few looks as they walked in, the small bell above the door jingling their arrival. Logan led the way, taking her to a small booth in the back. “I suggest the stew. It’s pretty phenomenal.”

“I take it you’ve been here before?”

“A few times,” he nodded, picking up a menu and browsing through it. She followed his example, looking through the various options. When the waitress came to take their order, Abby took Logan’s advice and ordered beef stew. He couldn’t help the smile that splashed across his lips as he heard her place the order. “You’ll love it. I promise.”

“I am actually feeling pretty famished.” As if on cue, her stomach grumbled loudly.

“I believe it.” He took a drink of the coffee in front of him. “I remember many a night when you would’ve been happy enough just to keep on working on whatever paper you had due unless I reminded you that, every once and awhile, you needed to take a break for food.” A wave of sadness passed through her at the memory.

“There were quite a few of those nights,” she agreed with a nod, her tone downcast. The two grew quiet for a long moment before Logan finally sighed.

“You know what, Abby?” And she looked up, startled. “I’m afraid this is something that I have to do.” He lifted himself slightly and began to lean in her direction. Abby, confused, pulled back slightly. Logan only chuckled before he reached out and lifted her sunglasses to the top of her head, as he’d done the day before in the cemetery. “That’s much better.”

She was certain it wasn’t. She could feel the puffiness of her eyes and she knew she must look a mess. She hadn’t even worn any makeup. “Better for who?” She questioned, staring at the tabletop. Her ring glittered in the sunlight and she glanced up quickly as she went to remove her hand.

But she was too late, she realized, as she saw his eyes roam across the patterns of light. “That’s quite a rock you’ve got there.” Abby only nodded. “It’s not the first time I’ve noticed it, Abby.” He sighed, leaning back into the soft cushioning of the bench. “Want to talk about it?”

“Do you want to hear about it?” Logan’s only response was a shrug. Abby squared her shoulders, pulling herself back slightly. “His name is Eric. We’ve been together for about four years now.” Logan nodded, his expression unreadable.

“And the wedding?”

“Three months.” He nodded, taking another drink of coffee. If someone had told her three days ago that she would be sitting in a diner with Logan Sheppard talking about the future of her current relationship, she would have laughed in their face. “He’s a lawyer.” It was such an awkward conversation to be having.

“And I assume your dad approves?” There was a hint of resentment in his tone and Abby looked up, meeting his eyes.

“He does. But you should know that if I