OBSESSION

SEVEN.

Bethany stirred in bed, her eyes fluttering open to the soft morning light filtering through the window. She rolled over, reaching out, only to find the other side of the bed empty. The sheets were cool, Logan's warmth long faded. Confused, she propped herself up, glancing around the room.

Had he left?

Flashes of the previous night came rushing back to her: the way they'd kissed passionately, unable to keep their hands off each other, followed by the unexpected softness of their late-night conversation.

Logan had opened up about his dreams for his own real estate firm, his hopes to succeed on his own terms and step out from his father's shadow. In return, she'd shared her dreams of proving herself as a designer, of building a life where she didn't have to rely on anyone else. They'd talked until they'd drifted off, her head on his chest and his arm wrapped protectively around her.

Bethany sat up, rubbing her eyes. The disappointment she felt at his absence took her by surprise. She slipped out of bed, heading to the bathroom to freshen up. Splashing cool water on her face and brushing her teeth, she tried to shake off the mix of emotions that lingered. Had he really just left after last night? Without so much as a goodbye?

Steeling herself, Bethany padded down the stairs, bracing herself to find an empty house. But as she entered the living room, she spotted him through the window, coming up her walkway with a bag in one hand and a tray of coffee cups in the other.

She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. He hadn't left. Logan opened the door, a little out of breath as he grinned at her.

"Good morning," he greeted, holding up the coffee cups as if they were an offering. "I made a quick coffee run, as promised."

Bethany folded her arms, leaning against the wall with a teasing smirk. "You know, for a minute, I thought you'd just snuck out. I was about to write you off as another charming guy who disappears before dawn."

Logan chuckled, setting the coffee cups and bag on the kitchen counter. "Is that right? Well, I may have my faults, but I keep my promises," he said, handing her one of the coffees. "Besides, I figured you might need a little pick-me-up after our late-night... brainstorming session."

She took the coffee, feeling the warmth seep through the cup and into her fingers. "Brainstorming session? That's a nice way to put it."

Logan laughed, his eyes crinkling in that way that made her heart race. "It was productive, wasn't it?" he asked, opening the bag to reveal a couple of breakfast pastries.

"You're still in work mode," Bethany teased, taking a sip of her coffee. "Do you ever relax, Logan?"

"Rarely," he admitted, though there was a softness in his gaze as he looked at her. "But you make it a little easier to forget about everything else."

A comfortable silence settled between them as they took bites of their pastries, Bethany savoring the warmth of the coffee and Logan's presence.

"Can you stay?" she asked, almost tentatively. It was still so new, the thought of wanting him here, of enjoying his company beyond the office and the whirlwind they'd shared last night.

Logan's face softened, though he shook his head, regret in his eyes. "I wish I could. But I have a meeting later this afternoon. Important one. And unfortunately, they don't really honor weekends in my line of work."

She tried to hide her disappointment with a lighthearted smile. "Of course, you have a packed Sunday schedule."

"Not usually," he said, reaching out to tuck a stray hair behind her ear, his touch lingering. "But I'll see you tomorrow morning at our meeting. First thing."