Logan and I were convinced we had control over our lives. After Providence, we promised to live our lives the way we wanted, unwilling to keep running. Instead, I learned my life was never mine to begin with. Even before Julian, Abby had control.
It was tough to come to terms with her love for me. I began to dissect our relationship, wondering how I had missed the signs. But after a few weeks, I realized I couldn’t blame myself. That only allowed Abby to continue to keep her hold on me, even after her death.
As far as Julian was concerned, I no longer worried whether he was after me and Logan. He had started over in a new place, cashing in on the second chance on life I’d given him.
Logan studies the logo I designed and pushes my laptop back over to me. He diverts his gaze to our back yard. The flowers surrounding the fence have started to bloom. Yellow and purple petals are scattered across the yard. Our dog, Archie, walks over to one of the flowers and sits beside it, chewing on his favorite ball. Archie has become a blessing in my life, healing parts of me I didn’t know were still hurting. He was the missing piece to our lives.
The shed we had built last summer still stands in the center of our yard, the pale yellow paint chipping near the ends of the planks of wood.
I make a mental note to repaint the shed this summer.
“Well?” I ask Logan. “You hate it don’t you?” I slide my finger across the screen, choosing a different color for the logo.
Logan’s hand quickly wraps around mine, stopping me from working. “No, don’t.” I turn to face him. He smiles, the corners of his mouth curling. “Keep it the way it is. I love it.”
I tilt my head. “Are you sure?”
“What?” He laughs. “You think I’m lying?”
“I’ll ask Natalie for her opinion. I don’t trust you.” I turn back to my computer, hiding my smirk from Logan.
Surprisingly, Natalie and I have grown close over the past few months. I never expected us to grow close since the day Abby changed our lives.
Abby had taken advantage of everyone around her, including Natalie. I couldn’t fault her for what she had done. I knew the power Abby had over those she considered vulnerable. Me included. In a way, I understood Natalie.
I gasp when I feel Logan stand up and hover over me. He slides my chair to the side, turning me toward him before he places both arms around me, caging me in.
His long hair hangs around his sculpted face. His beard has grown out significantly since last year. I lift my hand and run my fingers through it. My heart races, knowing marrying him was the best decision I made in my life. Because despite knowing my life had been controlled by someone else, this was one decision I know I made for myself.
“Keep the logo,” Logan says, bending down to kiss the hollow of my ear. Chills scatter across my skin and I inhale a sharp breath. “It’s perfect.”
Sneak Peek
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Continue reading for an excerpt from Brittany Taylor’s, Back to Me, the final book in the Back to Me Series!
Copyright 2019 Brittany Taylor
Sara
Sprinting down the sidewalk on Sylvan Avenue, I wince in pain as my toes continue to squeeze toward the narrow tip of my black stiletto heels.
“Shit,” I mutter to myself.
Since I had to park almost a mile back, just off the exit to Interstate 30, I’ve been hauling ass trying to make it to The Fabrication Yard in time to meet up with Graham. Tonight is the first night he has been able to bring himself to display his art on the giant brick wall located in Dallas’ most popular graffiti park. For months I’ve begged and pleaded for him to gather up the courage and show off his art.
Of course, as with most things in my life, I’m late. Even if it wasn’t particularly in my control, I feel terrible for missing one of the biggest nights of Graham’s life. Clutching my phone in my hand, I glance down to check the time. “Fuck,” I breathe out. I’m twenty minutes late. Running past the sea of cars parked along the street, listening to the clicking of my heels meeting pavement, I find several unanswered texts from Graham.
Graham: Just got here. I’m so nervous.
Graham: I feel like my stomach is dissolving from its own contents, and I’m going to vomit all over the park.
Graham: Are you almost here? I don’t see you.
Graham: Sara, where the hell are you? I need you here.
I feel those last four words stab straight into my heart. He needs me. In the six years I’ve known Graham, I can only think of a handful of times where he said he needed me. One of those times was when he asked me to move to Dallas from our hometown, two hours away. I didn’t even hesitate when I told him I would. And ever since, we’ve lived together, shared the same apartment, yet never allowed ourselves to be anything more than roommates and best friends.
I have been in love with Graham since the moment I met him, all those years ago. But in that time, I’ve come to realize he may never love me the way I love him. It’s moments like these where I’m sprinting down a busy sidewalk, in five-inch heels and a dress that barely covers my ass to meet the man one I can’t seem to get over. Because truth be told, I would do anything for Graham Ward. Including risking a rip in my dress or a quick snap of my
