Page 102 of Tattered (Lark Cove 1)

Logan was standing on the opposite wall, as handsome as ever in his tuxedo. This man could make bowties sexy.

“Hi,” I sighed. “I’m sorry for embarrassing you.”

He pushed off the wall, meeting me in the middle of the hallway. He came right into my space and wrapped me in his arms. “Baby, I’ve told you this before. You could never embarrass me.”

“Were you not there? Everyone at your table was looking at me funny.”

“They were looking at you because you said what we were all thinking. This gala is the biggest hypocritical joke we’ve all been to in years.”

“No fucking way.” My voice echoed in the hall. “Sorry,” I winced. “Too many champagnes mean too many f-bombs.”

He chuckled. “Yes, fucking way. Just ask Nolan. These people aren’t getting a dime from the Kendrick Foundation until they can prove it’s being used for the right things.”

“Like tampons,” I blurted.

He laughed again and nodded. “Like tampons.”

“Thank you.” I fell back into his chest, holding him close. God, I am going to miss him. Every single day. “I’m going to miss you.”

“Then stay.”

“I can’t.”

He pulled me off his chest, framing my face with both hands. “Why?”

My eyes filled with tears. Why? I wasn’t ready for that question yet. I hadn’t figured out my answer. So I gave him the one I gave to Charlie when I didn’t want to explain myself. “Just because.”

His eyebrows came together as he held my face, studying my eyes. Then the creases in his forehead went away. Gone. Poof. The worry was replaced with Logan’s signature look of confidence and determination. The same look he’d given me in my workshop when he’d asked me to come to New York and I’d said no.

“We’ll talk about it again this weekend.”

“Okay.” My answer would still be the same, but maybe I’d at least have an explanation figured out by then.

“Come on.” He let go of my face and held out a hand. “The speaker is done and I want to dance with the most beautiful woman in the world.”

I wasn’t going to miss him every single day, I’d miss him every single minute.

Hand in hand, we went back to the ballroom, where a live band had set up next to the dance floor.

I followed behind Logan as he weaved through the tables, nodding and saying hello as he passed clusters of people mingling. We’d almost made it to the dance floor when the ignorant speaker stepped in our path.

“Logan, so good to see you. Did you enjoy the presentation?”

“To be frank? No. I implore you to do some research before wasting my time or money for a table again.” Without another word, Logan pushed past the speaker and led me to the dance floor.

I glanced over my shoulder to see the speaker rooted to his spot, staring stunned at Logan’s back. When I looked forward, I smiled. “Thanks for that.”

Logan spun and swung me into his arms. “My pleasure.”

We slowly swayed to the music for a few moments, settling into the mix of other couples dancing.

“Do you want to talk about why you have such a passion for tampons?”

I shook my head. “Let’s just say I know exactly what it’s like to be one of the unfortunate. Can we leave it at that?”

“Thea—”

“Please.” I leaned back to meet his gaze. “Please, Logan. I don’t want to talk about it tonight.”