Broken Hero

So… you and Oliver, huh?”

I take a strengthening sip of my wine. “Yes. It’s complicated, though.”

“What isn’t in life?”

“You’re right,” I say, playing with the foot of my wine glass. “We had an argument today. It’s silly, really, but… I’m still angry.”

She nods. “It takes time.”

“Yeah. I think we just need to talk it out, if that’s something he’s willing to do.”

Mandy’s smile turns crooked. “They’re not always the best at talking, are they?”

I get the feeling she’s not just referring to Oliver. “No, they’re not.”

By our second glass of wine, Mandy and I have decided that I’m going to teach her how to ride, that she’s going to take professional photos of the spa studio, and that we’re going to institute regular movie nights.

“Can you really smell fresh bread and cookies all the way up to your studio?”

“Yes.”She leans forward. “Do you have access to the bakery all the times?”

“Yes, I suppose.”

“Can you eat Rhodes cookies whenever you want?”

I laugh at the expression on her face. “Well, no. Most of it is for sale, and besides, if I ate as much as I… What?”

Mandy isn’t looking at me and I follow her gaze to the front door.

“Oh.”

“Tonight of all nights, huh?”

“They just had to.”

We watch in silence as Logan and Oliver head to the bar. They’re tall, imposing figures in the dimly lit space. I see Oliver nodding at the bartender, but Logan says nothing, hands shoved in his pockets. Both of the men scan the bar, their eyes darting over booths and corners. Surveying their surroundings.

They see us at the same time.

Mandy leans closer t me. “They’re going to come over.”

“Yes. Do you want them to sit with us?”

“No.””Me neither.”

That’s all the discussion we have time for because two former Marines are heading straight our way. Oliver’s eyes are neutral and unreadable, and I have no idea what he’s thinking. Does he regret what happened earlier? Anger is still alive, burning like acid in my stomach. I believe in me, I repeat to myself.

Logan and Oliver stop by our table, shoulder to shoulder. Oliver’s blue gaze flicks between me and Mandy. “I didn’t know you two were going out tonight.”

“Didn’t know you were, either.”

Logan shoots me a small, crooked smile. “Spur of the moment.”

I smile back at him-because I’m not angry at him-but his attention inevitably drifts back to Mandy. Her fingers are moving rapidly around the base of her wineglass.

“How are you?”

She nods. “I’m good. Really good.”

Oliver takes a small step closer to my side of the booth. “We need to talk.”

“We do.”

He nods to the front door. “Let’s.”

I cross my arms. “Not right now. I’m with Mandy and we haven’t finished our drinks yet.”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

She’s still talking to Logan, but I can see that her jaw is tight. I don’t know what happened between them, but regardless, she told me that she didn’t want them to join us. I’m not about to ditch a friend.

Oliver lets out a breath. The control is costing him-I can see it in his eyes. “Fine,” he says. “We’ll be close by.”

Logan’s voice is soft when he says goodbye to Mandy. “Have a nice night.”

“You too.”

Practically every eye in the bar follows them as they take a seat in the booth across from ours. They’re too far to be able to hear what we say, but close enough to keep an eye on us.

I roll my eyes. “So overbearing.”

Mandy nods. “God, yes. The worst.”

“Are you alright?””Yes. It’s just… Logan and I have history.”

“I’ve gathered.”

“It’s a long time ago, and it’s in the past,” she says, her voice firm. “I’m not starting that up again. I… I can’t. But at the same time, I don’t feel like he’s letting me move on.”

“Have you told him that?”

She stares up at the ceiling. “Yes, many times. I hate that I hurt him every time I make that clear. It’s complicated.”

I reach out and put a hand over hers. “We can leave if you’d like. Truly. I do have cookies at home, and I’m sure we can find a bottle of wine, too. Get an early start on our promised movie nights.”

Her smile is warm. “Thank you, Luce. But we can’t let them win.”

“You’re right.” I raise my glass to hers again. “This is our town too.”

She touches it to mine. “And we’re strong, independent women.”