Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)
Chapter 375

I sat up straight and looked at her with mock seriousness. "Alright, let's get to it. Five bucks' worth of truth!"

She rolled her eyes in disdain. "Oh, please!"

I feigned firmness. "That's your call, babe. No chat, it's bedtime. I'm hanging up!"

She let out a dramatic groan. "Wait, wait! Aaliyah, Ms. Wilburn, don't play me like that!" With that, she sat up, her face suddenly all business. "Let's talk, sis, spill it!"

I snorted, thinking. 'I've got your number.'

"Spill, then!" I said, with the patience of a confidant, my tone soothing, my demeanor gentle. Suddenly, I felt like I'd stumbled onto a new career-hosting one of those late-night radio talk shows for the lovelorn.

With a heavy sigh, she began, "Allie, I just don't get it. I'm stuck, like there's this giant chasm I can't cross!"

"What's the deal? Spill it, and cut to the chase. It's way past my bedtime," I urged her.

"It's Logan. He's playing hot and cold with me!" Catherine blurted out, her voice thick with anguish.

I was skeptical. "What do you mean, 'playing'? That doesn't sound like Logan at all."

"He's just... I don't know. If you were to say he's not into me, you'd be dead wrong. He's there for me, offering his jacket when I'm cold, asking if I'm okay, warning me against unsafe places, telling me who to avoid. If I'm working late, he offers a ride home 'cause it's 'on his way'. Some guy hassles me, and Logan's ready to throw punches..."

I looked at Catherine, startled, and thought, 'Isn't it obvious to show his love? Isn't she being a bit too dramatic? Does he have to spell it out for her?' But I kept quiet, letting her continue.

"All these things... Tell me, isn't this what someone with feelings would do?" Catherine pressed, her eyes wide and earnest.

I nodded, and only then did she continue. "But then, if you think he's got a thing for me, why does he keep telling me to 'grow up' and 'find a good man to settle down with'?"

I paused, perplexed by his words.

Catherine's expression was one of utter frustration. "What's he playing at? Shouldn't I be the one to decide if I need a man? He sends all these signals, then pushes me away with no hesitation."

I was at a loss for words too.

"If he's not interested, why the heck does he lead me on? Sometimes, when he's not busy, he'll call in the middle of the night, and we'd talk until the phone is dead. I mention offhand that I've put on a few pounds and need to start a morning jog, and he turns into my personal alarm clock. My heel breaks unexpectedly, and he's there in a heartbeat with a brand-new pair... Is he okay?"

Catherine threw her hands up in exasperation, her reflection in the screen looking back at me, indignant.

"Even my colleagues see it. They say he's into me. But whenever it comes to crunch time, he plays this game, telling me to date some 'good man'!" Catherine was on the verge of tears.

I compared Logan to Ronan from back in the day. Although Ronan was never as blatant, he too kept that infuriating distance-close, yet cool. Never too far, but never too close. When things started heating up, he'd pull away just as naturally. Yep, birds of a feather.

"Talk about being led on!" I chimed in, sympathetically.

She latched onto my response. "Right? I want to ask him outright what his deal is. But it feels so undignified for me, a woman, to chase him for answers. But then, if I let go, I'd feel like I'm giving up too easily. Catherine does not do indecision!"

I had a hunch that Logan might share Ronan's old mindset, possibly due to his line of work.

"He mentioned coming to Silverdale City, so I decided to make the trip too, especially with the Oldtown Avenue project coming up. I could've come on business, but I wanted no strings from the company, so I took leave instead. Besides, clinching the Oldtown deal is good business for us, right?"

I couldn't help but chuckle, teasing her, "Look at you, always counting the cost."

"Well, of course! If I screw up my job and waste my vacation over some guy who's not worth it, then I'm the loser," she complained.

Then, she flopped back onto the bed in defeat. "Maybe... maybe I should just let it go."

Seeing her struggle, I knew she was really falling for him.

"That's it? You're backing down so easily? I must have overestimated you," I jabbed. "If you like him, go for it."

She lay there, looking utterly defeated. "I don't even know if I really like him!"