“I still love him,” Logan tried finally. “And I never meant to hurt him. The fact that I did…”

Logan couldn’t finish this sentence either, so I just pulled him into a hug.

“I know. He knows,” I offered. “Just give him some time to do his Chase thought hurricane thing. You’ll sort it out once his brain-storm dies down.”

I wasn’t so sure Chase’s brain was really the part of him in turmoil, but I had to say something. Thankfully, wiping at his face, Logan actually laughed.

“Well, I hid something of mine in Chase’s bag,” he said. “He’ll know what it means when he sees it, hopefully.”

I left Logan, having no idea what he hid for Chase. Even now, I’m still not sure if Chase knows. He hasn’t exactly been bursting with communication. I still can’t believe Logan isn’t going to be with us for this final part of the road trip. Almost as much as I can’t believe Anwar decided to join us.

I was weirded out at first when Anwar kept us away from his home. Could there be a reason he also wanted to meet us in Solvang and not closer to his house? However, once he asked if he could join us to help find the next missing card, my doubts started to melt away. I’m impressed our detour to Coupled Cottage only seemed to fascinate Anwar instead of scare him off. I’m also impressed by how respectful he remained while still trying to engage. Maybe that’s why Cleo and Chase didn’t protest when I pitched the idea of Anwar filling our fourth seat. I wish Logan were still here, but I’m also happy Anwar is joining.

After Logan left, we drove from Summerland up to Carmel by the Sea. We stopped for lunch at one of Cleo’s superb restaurant picks, where I was finally able to pry a few words out of Chase about what happened with Logan.

“So… are you broken up?” I chose my question carefully, since Chase seemed not unlike an overheated computer.

“I don’t know, honestly. I was too afraid to ask.”

The words seemed almost impossible for Chase to muster, like speaking them was a Herculean task.

“Well, maybe don’t go calling Seidon right away, in that case?”

I meant it as a joke to help Chase smile, but it had the opposite effect. Ever since, Chase seems to have shut himself down, entering some kind of low-power mode. As much as I’m worried about him, I can’t say I blame him. Seidon had a lot of nerve, hitting on Chase in front of Logan that way. I can’t fathom what it must be like for Chase to feel a rift form with Logan. It’s upsetting even to me, seeing what I thought was an inseparable couple buckle under sudden pressure.