Just friends? Pfft. Yeah, right.

Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Logan stayed with me, sleeping on the couch. I brought him up to my room, seeing that he woke up with a creaked neck every morning. He made things better at home, eased some tension. Sean and Haley were open towards him, trusting him. My brother had gone back to his apartment so that Logan could use his room. My mother was glad to meet the man in my life for the first time. My father was delighted. Seeing as Logan was a doctor, he had a reason to gain access to my father’s records. He constantly updated us on my father’s condition and took great care that my father was well looked after.

Iz pulled up a towel and slung it over her shoulder, face red from standing in front of hot ovens and stoves. “Julie! Order up!”

I spun on my heels, grabbing the tray from the counter as it slid towards me. Carefully, I strode towards Table 15 and served the customers their breakfast. I smiled as the elderly couple thanked me. Walking away, I went to fill up the cups of another table. The diner had been busy and I had lend my services, ready to get back to work.

I had been spending too much time at home. I needed to get out. Having Logan around was nice. His seminar was this afternoon and he said he would drop by for lunch with a little surprise for me. I smiled absent-mindedly. After the meltdown that day, I had found him cleaning the dishes and helping Haley with college preparations. It was as though he was part of the family.

“You got that smile, Julia,” Iz teased, her hazel eyes lighting up. “Logan on your mind?”

“Oh, please,” I muttered, blushing at how transparent I was.

Iz chuckled. “You little monkey.”

I laughed and went to grab an order from a new customer. That was how things went on all morning. Iz and I served customers. Eventhough I laughed and joked with the other staff and some customers, my mind kept going back to my father. His health had not been improving. Neither was my mother’s. She had refused to eat anything unless we forced her to.

“So, what’s the deal with you and Logan?” Iz asked when the diner slowed a little.

I leaned against the counter, resting my elbows on it. “We’re just dating.”

“Getting pretty serious, i hear,” she remarked, eyes twinkling.

I sighed. Like old times, I knew I could tell my cousin anything and she would always give me her honest opinion. “Quite serious.”

She smiled sweetly. “Oh, honey, i’d kill to be in your shoes. He must love you a whole lot to have flown all the way here.”

“He does,” I murmured, remembering his words. “He’s amazing, sweet, kind.”

Iz chuckled softly, rearranging the muffins. “I always thought you’d be with Dave. Funny, huh?”

“I don’t have feelings for Dave,” I said, looking her in the eye.

She shrugged. “It’s your heart. I can’t tell you who to love and who not to.”

“Dave’s married, Iz,” I reminded her, rubbing my face tiredly.

She sighed, hazel eyes tender. “I know, Jules. You called me and Elle the moment you got the wedding invitation. You sounded so mad I thought you might break the phone.”

“I was such an idiot,” I muttered, sighing deeply.

“No one’s an idiot for loving anyone,” she said, staring at the muffins in the trays that she juts rearranged. “I think it’s more of a gift.”

“Hmm.”

“I bet you love Logan now,” she muttered absent-mindedly, still staring at the damned muffins. “He’s a nice man. Real good for you.”