I grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the door. Logan trailed after us, a confused look on his face. I could only glance at him for a second before looking forward. I could feel the tears trying to well up in my eyes, no matter how much I tried to resist them.
We walked to my car, and I helped Juniper get into her car seat. I moved back, and Logan moved in to give Juniper a hug. He then turned and gave me a hug. I quickly pulled away.
“I’m going to go talk to Logan for a second, sweet pea,” I said. “You just wait here.”
“Okay, Mama.”
I closed the door and walked to his porch. Logan followed along, a confused look on his face.
“Emily, is something wrong?” Logan said.
I took a deep breath and then turned to face him. “This is it.”
“What’s it? I don’t understand.”
“I can’t do this anymore.”
Logan furrowed his brow. “You’re not making any sense.”
“I don’t want to see you anymore, and you can’t see my daughter.”
He stared at me, disbelief on his face. “What?”
I locked eyes with him. “You heard what I said. We’re done.” I let out a nervous laugh. “Not that we were ever together, but we’re done as anything. Not just as friends with benefits but as friends. I don’t ever want to see you again.”
He shook his head. “I don’t understand where all this is coming from. Why are you saying this, Emily?”
Tears welled up in my eyes. “I have my reasons.” I cleared my throat. “And I don’t need to explain them to you. I’m only sorry it had to work out this way.” The tears leaked down my cheeks. “I never meant to hurt you.”
I spun on my heel and strode off, wiping my tears on my sleeve.
“Emily,” Logan yelled.
I spared a glance over my shoulder. His face was red, and his expression hurt, but I didn’t say anything more.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, I sniffled and wiped more tears from my eyes.
“What’s wrong, Mama?” Juniper said.
“I stubbed my toe,” I lied.
“Sorry, Mama.”
Chancing one look at Logan, I could see he hadn’t moved. He just stared at the car, his body still. I pulled away before he recovered, and I lost my nerve.
* * *
After tucking in Juniper in that night and taking a shower, I sat on my bed with my phone in hand. I pulled up some of the pictures I’d taken in Tokyo.
I had tons of selfies of me in Odaiba, but it seemed like I had even more of Logan and me at karaoke.
My tears ran freely now. They dripped from my face onto the face of my phone.
I’d spent all this time trying to convince myself I couldn’t be with Logan and that it’d be better for Juniper.
Logan had been so caring in the hospital, and he really cared for Juniper. I knew that. He made her happy. He’d be a great man to have around her.
More to the point, he made me happy. Japan showed me the truth. I loved him.