“Logan,” I whispered again.

He was looking at me what that stupid smirk plastered on his face. I hated that smirk. I loved that smirk. It drove me crazy in more ways than one.

I couldn’t believe he was here. A million questions raced through my mind. Where did he go? What did he do while he was gone? Why was he back? How long was he staying? Why did he leave? And the two questions that were blinking neon signs in the back of my brain, the ones that I would not be brave enough to ask: How could he leave me? And does he still love me?

Before I could open my mouth to speak Logan pulled me into a hug. As I wrapped my arms around his waist he leaned down and whispered in my ear, “Congratulations Ronnie.”

Even in the hot sun, I felt a shiver run down my back at his closeness. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling Logan’s scent and relaxing in his arms. I forgot how perfectly we fit together.

I felt Logan begin to pull away and I snapped back to reality, suddenly remembering all the people around and that I was possibly revealing too much of myself to Logan. I instantly felt my defenses coming back up, ready to defend my self with wit and sarcasm.

Still though, I looked at Logan and smiled. ‘Thanks,” I replied.

Then, P.I. Mars kicked in. “Where have you been?” I demanded. My hands resting my hips.

The smirk on Logan’s face grew bigger as he replied, “Still nosy, just like I remembered.”

“Well, what do you expect,” I said. “You just leave without telling anyone where you are going and then never contact anyone again. Of course I am going to wonder what happened to you. You were a big part of my life, Logan.”

He continued smirking and staring at me, but now I noticed a little twinkle in his eye. I shook my head, regretting the fact that as much as Logan wore his heart on his sleeve, I never really allowed myself to get close enough to really figure him out.

“Oh, you know,” he said, “Here and there.”

I just stared at him. Now, I was mad.

“That’s it?” I ask. After 3 years, that is all you can say?”

My blood was starting to boil in the way only Logan could make it boil. I was mad that he wouldn’t tell me where he had been, but I was also sad that I had missed 3 years of his life.

I shook my head and started to walk to away before I said something that I might regret. After all, I was a college graduate now. I had learned something in the 3 years since I last saw Logan. Before I could turn around Logan grabbed my hand and stopped me.

“Look, Veronica,” he said sighing and running his hand through his hair. “I would love to tell you where I’ve been, but do you really want to hear all about it here, with all these people around, in your graduation outfit? I was hoping you would come over to my place and I can tell you all about it then. I’ll even make you dinner, I’ve finally learned how to cook…some.”

“Your place?” I asked. “Does that mean you moved back?” I held my breath slightly as I waited for his answer.

“Yes, I moved back. At least, for now,” he said.

“Ok,” I said as I smiled at him. “I’ll come over and you can tell me all about your escapades.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I wondered if I really wanted to hear everything. What if he told me about other girls he hooked up with? Or even worse, what if he told me he as in love, or married? I quickly looked down at his left hand. Thankfully, there was no ring there, so he probably wasn’t married at least.

“When should I meet you at The Grand?” I asked, hoping that he wanted to meet up sooner rather than later.

“I’m not at The Grand,” he said. “I bought a little house by the beach. It is pretty small compared to the houses I used to live in, but it suits me.”

I smiled, soaking in this new information. Logan was no longer living in a hotel. He had bought a house, which meant he had probably been back at least a week or so. A part of me couldn’t help but wonder why he hadn’t contacted me sooner. But, mostly, I was so proud of him. I tried to picture the kind of house he lived in. I wondered if decorated it himself, or if he had it done professionally? Was it homey? Or did it reek of bachelorhood? Or was there a feminine touch from a girlfriend? I tried not to think about that.

“How about I pick you up about 7:00?” he said, breaking me out of my thoughts. “It can be kind of hard to find at night. And we have a lot to catch up on. It might be a late night and I wouldn’t want you to drive back alone late at night.”

“Ok,” I nodded. “I’m still at my dad’s. I’ll be ready at 7:00. And you better be ready to tell me everything.”

‘Yes, ma’am,” he said giving me a mock salute. ‘I’ll tell you everything you want to hear, and probably more. See you at 7:00.”

We both gave each other one last glance before we turned and walked away. I smiled to myself as I walked toward my car, excited about my evening with Logan and anxious to learn all his secrets.