Wanted: A Bad Boy Auction Romance

“What’s up with you?” I laughed. “I don’t know that I’ve ever seen you this happy.”

“I don’t know that I’ve ever been this happy,” Logan admitted.

“Well,” I prompted quickly. “Tell me what’s going on. I can’t take the suspense any longer.”

“I’m going to be a SEAL.”

The words left his lips and hit my ears like a brick. I heard him, but I couldn’t quite comprehend what he was saying.

“I got the call today,” he continued. “This morning actually. My C.O. said everything is in place. I start my official training in a few days.”

“Training?” I sputtered. I blinked and

tried to focus on his face, but I felt like I was floating underwater. Everything seemed far away, blurry and out of reach.

“In Coronado,” he nodded. “I leave the day after tomorrow. Piper, I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am. I mean, I’ve dreamt of this for so long and…”

“California?” I interrupted. Logan fell silent and stared at me for a second. He frowned and slid an inch away from me in the booth.

“Aren’t you happy for me?” he asked.

“Of course, I am,” I managed to say.

“You don’t seem like it,” he said, still frowning.

“I’m just trying to wrap my head around it,” I explained. “I had no idea this was going to happen and it just…”

“I’ve been talking about it since we met,” he reminded me impatiently.

“I know,” I said. “I mean, I didn’t know it was going to happen right now.”

“But it’s a good thing!” he promised.

“It is,” I agreed with a nod. “For you.”

My words fell on his ears and I watched as his expression went from slightly confused to completely annoyed. I immediately knew what he’d been hoping for. Logan thought I would jump with joy. He imagined me throwing my arms around him and congratulating him on a job well done, but I couldn’t do that. Not when I only just found out he was leaving me.

“I can’t believe you aren’t more excited,” he said. “Damn Piper, I thought you wanted this for me.”

“I do!” I said, “But you don’t have to sound so damn cheerful about it.”

“Why wouldn’t I be happy?” he demanded. “I’m finally getting everything I’ve always wanted. For years, I’ve thought of nothing else. Becoming a SEAL is my destiny. I thought you knew that. I thought you understood this was going to happen someday.”

“Logan,” I began slowly. My voice was shaking slightly and I had to close my eyes to focus properly. “I am happy for you and I do understand, but can’t you see how upsetting it is for me? You just told me you’re leaving and you don’t seem the slightly bit upset by it.”

“Why would I be upset?” he asked. He threw his hands up in frustration. “I have everything I want. I’m going to be a SEAL. I’ll be training in Coronado by the end of the week. And, I have y…”

“So, then go,” I snapped.”

“What?” he asked. I watched as his face fell.

“Just go,” I repeated. “If you’re so happy to be leaving, then leave. You don’t have to stick around and rub my face in it.”

Logan looked at me like I had slapped him.

I couldn’t believe he would be so heartless as to smile through our breakup. How could he tell me he was leaving and not even act a little sad?

“Piper,” he began. “What the hell is wrong? Where is this coming from?”