The Human Mate

Chapter 7

RILEY

After Logan left me, I felt all overwhelmed.

Our second date went perfectly. He was the perfect gentleman. I knew Margret made the food, but it didn't matter. At least he tried and even had help in creating the most romantic scene. The place where we had our picnic was stunning.

After the picnic, we walked around the lake and talked. Logan spoke first, telling me things he liked, such as that he loves to paint and anything to do with horror; he even reads books like it. Then he spoke about his parents, which was heartbreaking to hear. They were killed by animals when they were camping in the forest when he was seventeen. He told me about Margret helping him through his grief since she lost her only son.

My heart went out to him and even to Margret. I never knew that kind of loss.

To change the subject, Logan asked me about my parents and why I moved around a lot. This surprised me, as I had never spoken about my family to anyone.

It was hard to talk about my parents. The story was told to me by the social worker—Clara, I had. She waited to tell me when I was eighteen. She told me my parents never said the reason, but they packed everything up and left me at an orphanage. That part nearly killed me.

Why would two people bring a child into the world and get rid of her when it all got too much? That has been my question ever since Clara told me. I asked if she knew who they were or if I could contact them.

Clara was sympathetic and said no to any contact information, only to give their names, nothing else. No word about what their next plans were or what led to the decision.

It took me years to find them. It may surprise you how many people have similar experiences. I had to go through so many until I found out. My mum was the easiest person to find out since I found a relative she wasn't in contact with. She only knew more about my mother. She passed on her details and even stated not to think of having her in my life since she was a horrible woman.

The person was a cousin of my mothers, who explained they weren't in contact with each other due to what she and that man she called my father did to me. They tried to find me, but it was too late. When I mentioned my father, she promised to look into it and ring me when she found something. I thanked her for the information but wanted to know for myself instead of going

A few days after the phone call with the relative. I found my mum, and she was right. She was a horrible person. She knew who I was as soon as she saw me. The woman ignored me and walked past me. I followed her to her workplace, waiting on a bench to work up the courage to talk to her. When I did, I caught her on the way to work one morning, which led to me telling her I didn't want her in my life, only answers to why she left me.

That damn woman told me why. Part of me understood their reasons, but it still hurt.

My parents were young and had no choice but to take care of me. She never told me how old they were, and I didn't want to pry. I just wanted answers. The woman told me they tried, but it didn't work. They went their separate ways after placing me in care. My bio mum remarried and had a new family. She told me she didn't want anything to do with me since I was older now and I was better off with it.

Hearing that crushed me, but she was right. I would be better off without them, and they were right. I might not have had the best upbringing and moved around much, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I am doing me.

When I told Logan, I knew he felt for me. His hand in mine gave me reassurance, especially when I started crying. I had never said all those words out loud before, and it broke me.

When it came to my bio father, it was even worse to talk about. I learned he had a terrible life after he and my mum separated from each other. The relative got back to me and explained what happened—well, the just of it. My father took to drugs and was living on the streets. He passed away a few years ago from an overdose. The relative never told me how long ago, but it seems too many years ago.

After talking about my parents, the mood of the date shifted slightly. Well, that's what it felt like to me. I even apologized to Logan for ruining the date.

I have never had a man be so understanding toward my background, let alone my feelings. Over the years, I found the men who knew how to manipulate or gaslit you into believing their lies. I learned how to look for it, and with Logan, there were no signs of anything that would cause a red flag for me.

After talking, we headed back to my apartment. The conversation returned to learning more about each other. I could tell Logan was trying to get me to think about something else instead of what I had told him.

When we returned to the bookstore, we stood outside the door like we did after our first date. We shared another kiss by the door; I nearly came undone again. I could feel the wetness in my panties when I walked into the apartment.

The best thing was that Logan wanted to take me on a third date. I don't think I have ever gotten this far on a date. It would usually end when we had s*x, and the guy would never call again. A slight feeling would happen with Logan, but only slightly. There was something about the way he looked at me that made me believe he would be back and that he wanted me.

Logan told me he would be in touch, and it has been quiet for the last few days. I have been working in the bookstore non-stop and even looking at when the doorbell would ring. Every time it wasn't Logan, my stomach would twist into knots, and sadness loomed.

Margret hadn't seen him either. He would call, telling her he was busy and would see her when whatever was going on had calmed down. Margret told me he would be here soon, but I slowly lost hope of him asking me out again.

But that changed this morning. When Margret called me for breakfast, I woke up like normal and got ready for my shift. She had been cooking me food for the last few days. I knew it was to learn more about what was happening with Logan and me. She has said little, but she seems to know more than she is letting on, which makes me wonder if Logan has told her something.

After breakfast, the store bell rang, and as usual, I looked up to see who it was. There, before me, was Logan with a grin. He looked handsome.

He came over to us and smiled. "I thought I would pop in to see my girls."

His girls? I was his girl. When did that happen?

Saying nothing, I nodded and asked him to ask me out again. "And to ask the gorgeous one if she wants to go on our third date on Saturday?"

I beamed and nodded like a nodding dog, not trusting my voice at his words.

"Hey!" Margret said with a hint of amusement. "I will tell you now, I can pull many men too and be called gorgeous."

Logan looked and strolled toward her, grinning. "You're gorgeous too, for my grandmother." He kissed her cheek and looked over at me. "Riley is gorgeous for the woman I want to be with."

My heart fluttered at his words while my cheeks flushed.

Damn. He was saying the right things at the moment. That statement alone shot down my hope whenever he didn't communicate with me.

Logan stayed for a few minutes and sat with us for coffee. The entire time he was there, I was on cloud nine. I didn't want this feeling to end.

Logan had a phone call, and when it ended, he told us he had to get back. He gave Margret a kiss on the cheek. When it came to me, he asked me to walk him to the door.

Margret left us alone and stayed in the kitchen.

We walked out. He grabbed my hand and pulled me behind a bookcase. He pulled me toward him and kissed me. It was a soft kiss, but it was worth waiting for. He rested his head on my forehead. "I have missed that."

A rush of heat ran through me, willing for me to kiss him again, but he let out a sigh. He pulled away and smiled. "I will see you on Saturday."

After letting go of my hand, Logan walked away, leaving me to grapple with my emotions.

Would it be weird to pull him back and make him take me right here in the store?

A blush spread across my cheeks at my mere thoughts when someone cleared their throat. I looked to see Margret looking at me with a smile. "Let's get to work."

Moving from where I was, that was what I did—I worked. But I have to admit I have been walking around with a smile and a flutter in my lower parts because of the man.

Roll on Saturday—two days away.