Free Waiting for the One by L.A. Fiore Page A

once. Halloween was coming up and as it was my favorite holiday, I had this wonderful idea that we could go to Salem. What better place to experience Halloween than Salem, Massachusetts? I even did some research, finding bed-and-breakfasts, attractions we could see. I had the whole trip planned.”
    “What happened?” The tenderness I had heard only minutes before had an edge to it, a hardness.
    My gaze met his. “Nothing. They said Halloween was a school night and that we couldn’t afford to take a vacation. And that was the last time I asked about taking a vacation.”
    “How old were you?”
    “Seven.”
    The mood definitely takes a nosedive. The waiter arrives at that moment with our food, Mitch following behind him.
    “Hi, Mitch. Logan, do you remember Mitch from our funtastic time cleaning up dead swordfish on Main?”
    Logan stands to shake Mitch’s hand. “Yes, nice to see you again.”
    “Likewise. I hope you enjoy your meal.”
    The crab imperial smells divine. “Always do.”
    Logan had ordered the surf and turf. The smell of his steak gives me a temporary case of ordering envy.
    Mitch presses a kiss to my head. “Have fun.”
    “Thanks, Mitch.” But my eyes stay on Logan’s dinner, because, damn, that really looks good.
    “Would you like some?” This question catches me by surprise.
    “Seriously? You’re okay with sharing? Most of my dates hate when I ask to taste their food.”
    “Saffron.” His tone has grown rather severe.
    “Yes?”
    “First, I don’t want to hear about your other dates, it’ll only piss me off. You are here with me.”
    Possessive much? And yet that declaration has my tummy flip-flopping in pleasure.
    “Fair. What’s two?”
    “If I don’t share then I won’t be getting any of that and I really want to try that.”
    “Oh, Logan, yes you do. This is like crack.”
    His smile comes in a flash. “Then hand me your bread plate.”

    It’s Wednesday, so I’m getting ready for my date with Frank. Thinking about turning thirty next week has me questioning my life choices. I’m not suddenly agreeing with my parents regarding my choice of vocations, but after my dinner with Logan, I haven’t been able to get it from my head that I have never traveled outside of Harrington, except for school. But even then I was still in Maine. That’s crazy.
    There’s a great big world out there and it’s time for me to get out there and see some of it. New York City isn’t that far, and though I’d love nothing more than to see it with Logan, he seems to want to keep that part of his life separate from the life he’s making in Maine. I say this because though he knows I’m now dying to see New York City, dying to travel, he has never offered to take me. I’m forced to accept that for whatever reason, he doesn’t want his two worlds colliding. Josh and Gwen would go to New York with me. We could take Josh’s car so Derek and Mitch could join us. Gwen’s parents would be thrilled to have the kids for a few days. I’ll have to ask them if we can swing it.
    After getting dressed, I hurry out the door. I’m about to climb into my car when I notice the one tire is flat. Hunching down, I see it isn’t just flat. It looks like I tore it up on something. I don’t have a spare. My cell is once again dead, so I head back inside and call Logan’s cell.
    “Saffron, hey. I thought you had dinner with Frank tonight.”
    “I do, but I’ve got a flat. Any chance you could give me a lift?”
    “I’ll be there in ten.”
    I’m waiting on my porch, looking at my pretty flowers, when the sexiest black car pulls up in front of my house. It’s a Porsche; I know this only because I see the unmistakable emblem on the front. The driver’s side door opens and Logan unfolds himself from it. Starving artist, he is not. I thought I’d be riding on his motorcycle, but I have to say, getting a chance to ride in a Porsche is sweet.
    “Nice car.”
    He grins. “This old