Chapter 66
Logan’s eyes flew open. “What?”
do God
“You heard me.” Natalie said. “You put me through hell today, running out of work to knows what with your secretary.”
“Babe. Come on. For the hundredth time, we were shopping for a party for you!” Logan said, his anger building
Natalie crossed her arms in front of her and raised an eyebrow. “You know, I have been cheated on before. I have heard all the lies and excuses you can think of. Do you really think I believe that?”
Logan threw his hands up, helplessly. He didn’t know how to convince her that nothing had happened. between him and Hazel. He thought she was being irrational and ridiculous, but he’d dated enough women to know you can’t say those kinds of thoughts out loud to them.
He also knew it wasn’t completely innocent, his wanting to spend more time with Hazel. He would never cheat on Natalie, but he did feel drawn to Hazel. In a platonic way, he thought quickly. Nothing would… could..ever happen between them.
He was surprised by just how sad that thought suddenly made him.
He sighed again. Deep down, he knew Natalie was right. She probably sensed it. Women are good at picking up on those sort of things before men even realize them themselves. If this marriage was going to work, he would need to find a new secretary and cut Hazel out completely.
“Oh, you are taking wayyyyy too long to answer, mister, Natalie said, her hands moving to her hips.
“Okay,” Logan said. “I pick you. I’ll fire my secretary as soon as your party is over.”
When Natalie returned from her date later that night, she was in a considerably better mood. She came bouncing through the front door, humming some upbeat song I didn’t recognize and carrying several bags. She saw me in the living room and bounded over to me, dropping the bags at my feet.
I
“I take it things went well?” I said, staring at the bags on the floor.
“Oh yes. We went shopping until I forgave him,” she said, smiling proudly.
“I’m sure he’ll never make another mistake again,” I said. Good thing the dude was rich. The small pile in front of me looked like it could go a long way towards helping pay off our country’s billions in debt.
“I kind of hope he does,” Natalie smirked. “I get more things from him that way.” She winked at me.
I shook my head as she bent down and took her new things out of the bags one by one to show them to me. I cannot emphasize enough how little I cared to see them. Not only are expensive clothes and accessories soooo not my thing, it seemed most unfair that someone who treats men like trash managed to find so many of them, and that I was the one sitting alone every night.
She had only gotten halfway through the pile when I decided I couldn’t stand it for another second.
“Sorry,” I said, jumping to my feet. “I uh…I just realized what time it it. I promised Maria I’d meet her for pizza. So…I gotta go.”
“Oh! Okay, I’ll show you the rest when you get back.”
Super. “Can’t wait,” I said dryly.
I grabbed my keys and purse and practically ran to my car. I didn’t have plans with Maria, but the pizza part of that lie did sound pretty good. I headed to Wanna Pizza Me?, which was a place close to work that I went to often for lunch.
I walked in the front door and the little bell on the door rang. The owner, a middle–aged man named Seth, came out from the back.
“Hey, Hazel!” He said. “The usual?”
Oof. Maybe I came here a little too often, I thought. But at least that would make ordering easier in the future. “Yeah, please, but make it two slices tonight.”
“Oh man, tough day?” Seth said as he grabbed out a pair of tongs and a plate.
They were all tough lately, it seemed, but I didn’t need to trauma dump on the poor pizza guy just can’t get enough of your delicious pizza.”
“Nah man, I
He laughed as he pulled two slices of his Hawaiian pizza from the case and put them on the plate. “You flatter me,” he said and handed the plate over.
I pulled my wallet out, but he waved me off. Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
“For my favorite customer? On the house,” he winked at me..
“Aw, Seth! Marry me already.” I pulled out the cash I had and stuffed it into the tip jar,
“If I were thirty years younger,” he shrugged. “And not already married, I guess,” he said as an after thought.
I laughed. “Thanks Seth.”
“Don’t mention it,” he started to turn when the bell on the door rang again. I looked over as I walked to my usual corner booth. My mouth dropped when I saw who it was.
“Logan?” I said.
He turned, as surprised to see me as I was him. His hair was mussed and he had dark circles under his eyes. “Oh, Hazel, hey.”
I sat in my booth and watched him place his order. “Two slices of the Hawaiian, please.”
“Ah,” Seth said. “A very popular choice tonight.”
I
The place was deserted except for the two of us. I wondered if he was going to sit with me. I wondered if it would be weird to invite him to, but it felt rude not to
Luckily it didn’t even come to that, because as soon as he got his pizza and paid he made a beeline to me. “May 1?” He asked.
“Oh, of course,” I gestured to the seat across from me,
We sat in silence for several minutes. I realized we had not really ever had a conversation outside of work
-related things. I struggled to think of something to talk about.
“You also got the Hawaiian,” he pointed at my pizza. “I knew I liked you for a reason.
“Well, what can I say? You have excellent taste,” I took a bite. I spotted a small smile on his face. “Not date with your wife tonight?”
He looked down at his pizza. He suddenly looked very exhausted. “Uh…we went out. But we didn’t eat.” He looked at me sheepishly and shrugged.
I wasn’t really sure I wanted to know what it was they did do. I decided to drop that subject. “I’m kind of surprised to see you here. This place isn’t exactly healthy.
“Ah,” he said, his ears turning slightly red. “I’ve not been the nicest boss, have 17”
“Oh, no, I didn’t mean…”
“I know,” he said. “But I haven’t been. You’ve been nothing but kind and hard–working and I said some really shif things to you. I’m sorry.”
“…wow. Uh, thank you. But really, it’s fine. Already forgotten,” I smiled. Of all the things I thought might happen tonight, this was last on the list.
He smiled. “You’re too kind. I’m glad I ran into you tonight. It’s…kind of been a rough night.”
I smiled back, butterflies popping up in my stomach. “I’m glad you ran into me, too.”