OBSESSION

SIXTEEN.

Bethany woke up to the soft light of dawn creeping through the sheer curtains of Logan's bedroom. The weekend had passed in a blur of stolen kisses, tangled sheets, and Logan's relentless efforts to keep her mind off work. But even now, as she lay in the warmth of his arms, her thoughts drifted back to Juliette and the quiet chaos she had unleashed.

It had been a week since Juliette's arrival at R&M, and every moment since had been a test of Bethany's patience and resolve. Juliette's subtle manipulation had become a constant presence, pushing her to work longer hours and bury herself in revisions, all while subtly keeping her occupied enough to minimize her time with Logan. On top of that, Sierra's newfound determination to be involved in every meeting with Logan gnawed at her. The two women seemed to operate with unspoken coordination, their actions pricking at Bethany's insecurities.

She glanced over at Logan, still asleep beside her. His dark lashes rested against his cheek, and his chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. They had spent the entire weekend together, Logan determined to distract her from her mounting stress. And though his touch had been a welcome reprieve, her worries remained like a quiet drumbeat in the back of her mind.

Bethany slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him, and padded over to the window. She crossed her arms and looked out at the view of Seattle stretching before her, the city just beginning to stir. Her mind was a whirlwind of doubt. She couldn't ignore the time Sierra was spending with Logan under the guise of work, nor could she shake the feeling that Juliette's motives were far from professional.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Logan shifting behind her.

"You're thinking too loud," he mumbled, his voice rough with sleep.

Bethany turned to see him propped up on one elbow, his green eyes heavy with drowsiness but full of warmth. His lips curved into a small smile as he motioned for her to come back to bed.

"I didn't mean to wake you," she said, climbing back under the covers. Logan immediately wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

"You've been tense all weekend," Logan said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Talk to me."

Bethany hesitated, unsure of how much to share. But the weight of her thoughts spilled out. "It's been hard, Logan. Juliette's working me to the bone, and Sierra... she's been in every meeting with you. I feel like I'm being pulled in a million directions, and I don't know who to trust."

Logan's brow furrowed as he listened. "You only have a few more weeks left working with Juliette. You've got this."

Bethany sighed, her fingers absently tracing patterns on his chest. "It's not just the work, Logan. I feel like Juliette still has feelings for you. And if I'm being honest, it's hard not to think about what you two were."

Logan tensed slightly before relaxing again, his hand soothingly rubbing her back. "I don't care what Juliette feels. I care about you. That's it."

Bethany frowned. "But there's so much I don't know. About you, about her. I need to understand, Logan. How did it end? Why did it end?"

Logan sighed, a shadow passing over his face. "Bethany—"

"Please," she pressed. "If I'm supposed to ignore what's happening, I need to know everything."

Logan stared at her for a long moment, his eyes searching hers. Then, instead of answering, he gave her a wicked grin and disappeared beneath the covers.

"Logan," she protested, trying to push him back, but his lips found her stomach, making her laugh despite herself.

His voice, muffled but playful, came from under the sheets. "If you're going to stress, I might as well give you something else to think about."