I quickly take count of the slices in the pizza box. "You realize you've eaten over half this pizza, right? We were supposed to split it fifty-fifty."
A charming smile, those light blue eyes, and scruffy hair. It's hard to stay mad at this man, or even pretend to be. Instead of waiting for me, Logan picks up his own piece of pizza and takes a large bite. While chewing, he replies, "You weren't going to eat it anyway, so why bitch about it?"
"Uh, leftovers."
He pauses for a brief second and then nods. "Oh right, I didn't think about leftovers." He holds out the pizza he just took a bite of and asks, "Want me to wrap it up in some foil for you tomorrow?"
"No." I giggle. "Finish it. But next time we get pizza, I'm taking one of your slices."
"Fair enough, but can we make it a small slice? This guy likes to fucking eat." Which is true and crazy at the same time because I've seen Logan with his shirt off and his muscles don't make it look like he loves to eat, more like workout.
"We'll just have to see." I lean back and assess the mess of my bedroom. Pizza box, soda cans, paper plates, studying materials, Logan sitting on my bed. Yup, it's a typical night for me. "Why do we always end up making a mess at my place?"
"Because, if we went to my apartment, you wouldn't have even tasted one pepperoni before the entire pizza was swiped by my roommates."
"Don't they have manners?"
"Not really. Matt, I think, is the only one who has some semblance of decency for others but that's because he's been dating someone recently who doesn't put up with untamed college men."
"Matt has a girlfriend? Since when?"
"Few months. He just told us, so before you get all hot on me about not telling you, just know, I only recently found out." Logan knows me too well. I've been dying to see his roommates find someone special but so far it's been a lost cause.
"That's right. You better keep me updated on the gossip in your apartment. It's the only real gossip I get other than what's floating around my circle of friends, but when they're back at school, it's quiet. Summer, on the other hand, that's a different story."
"Don't worry, sweetheart, I'll keep you in the circle. I know your goal for everyone is to find love, start a family, and live happily ever after."
"Isn't that the goal for everyone?" I ask, shocked that it wouldn't be.
My friends know me. I'm a girl who believes in a family, in surrounding yourself with love. Ever since I can remember, I've dreamt of starting a family one day; being a working mom, having a supportive husband, a partner in life, one to share the good and bad with. I'm still looking for that man, and maybe once I get my feet wet in my career, I can start focusing on finding my forever. For now, I'm content with my friends, studying, looking toward graduation, and finding a job.
"Not everyone wants a family. There are people out there who are content being by themselves." Logan looks down at his books and plays with the pencil in his hand.
I shove his shoulder playfully. "Don't act like you're one of those people."
A smirk on his face, with his head still down, his eyes look up at me. "My time is up for a family. I let the good one get away." The way he's gazing at me leads me to believe is talking about our tiny fling. Heat fills my cheeks from the mention of our brief fooling around.
"Don't be awkward." I laugh, tossing a pillow at him.
His laughter fills the room as well, easing the tension that was starting to take over. Friends, that's all Logan is to me, and that's all he'll ever be.
There is a light knock at the door that is almost covered up by our laughter. Calling out over Logan, I answer, "Come in."
The door cracks open just enough for Tucker to show his face. He seems concerned until he looks around and spots Logan. For a brief moment, his brows pinch together in what seems like anger until his face turns into a mask devoid of emotion. Finding me in the sea of books, pizza, and soda cans, he quickly smiles and says, "Uh, just wanted to let you know I'm home. Wasn't sure if you had dinner, but seems like you did. I'll let you guys get back to what you're doing."
He goes to shut the door when I stop him. "Hey, wait, you don't have to go right away. We're taking a break. Come in for a second."
Looking uneasy, his hand gripping the doorframe tightly, he swings the door open to show off his now filthy work outfit. The once white Henley that clung to his muscles is now decorated in dust and mud. His jeans seem to have the same collection of muck on them, and the boots he wore this morning are nowhere to be seen and neither are his socks. There he is, standing in dirty, form-fitting clothes, bare feet, and that is doing things to my insides I haven't experienced in a long time.