Page 57 of Tattered (Lark Cove 1)

“Shit.” Hazel lit a cigarette.

It was the first time since he’d left that he hadn’t called before bedtime. I’d decided to just call him, but he hadn’t answered my calls or texts. I’d made an excuse for Charlie’s sake, but it hadn’t helped. As I’d tucked her into bed, she hadn’t just looked lost.

She’d looked defeated.

Tomorrow was her birthday and though Logan had promised to be here, he hadn’t once mentioned his travel plans.

“If he doesn’t show tomorrow, she’ll be crushed.”

And Jackson would be right.

His warning had been a constant plague in my mind these last two weeks. To Jackson’s credit, he hadn’t brought it up again. He’d actually avoided the Logan subject completely. But it was there, a constant niggling at the back of my mind.

If Logan missed this first visit, I had no confidence he’d make it through the first year.

“He could show.” Hazel blew out a stream of smoke. “Let’s not count him out yet.”

“I don’t know. He’s been different since he left.”

“Some people don’t like to talk on the phone.”

I shook my head. “It’s not that. He’s all over the place. Some nights, he’s distracted and I can hear things in the background. Others, he’s almost cold, like he couldn’t get us off the phone fast enough.”

He’d either been in meetings or he’d been with someone. A female someone.

The fact that I hadn’t kissed Logan or had sex with him was a huge relief. I had no interest in being his Montana piece on the side while his girlfriend lived oblivious in New York.

“I wish he had never promised her that he’d be back.”

Hazel’s rough laugh filled the air. “I get why you’re skeptical, but Thea, not everyone will disappoint you.”

“You’re right,” I conceded. “Not everyone.”

But most.

“I—” The chime of my phone cut me off. I picked it up and looked at the screen. “Speak of the devil.” I shook it in the air before accepting Logan’s call. “Hello.”

Please don’t cancel on her birthday. Please. Please.

“Hi. Did I miss Charlie?”

“Yeah. She’s asleep already.”

“Damn it. Sorry.” He sighed. “I had a meeting run long.”

A meeting. “Ohh-kay.”

“Listen, I’ve had a change of plans.”

I knew it. I’d had a sinking feeling all day that this was coming. “I figured.”

“You figured?” he asked. “Figured what?”

“That you wouldn’t be here. Now that you’re back in the city, back to your normal life.” I stood from my wicker chair as I threw his words from weeks ago back at him. “I figured you wouldn’t be able to make good on your promise.”

“Thea—”

“It’s fine. I’ll make your excuses, but I can’t talk to you right now.”