Forever Logan by Elena Matthews (animal farm read .txt) 📕

As I resume my seat, Remi takes hold of my hand, squeezing it tight. “That was so good. Thank you.”

Lifting her hand to my lips, I brush a kiss along her knuckle. “You’re welcome, little sis.”

Smiling, she lets go and rests her head against her husband’s shoulder. Everyone focuses on Ally, who stands from her seat.

Bringing the microphone to her lips, Ally smiles warmly at me. “Well, your speech didn’t suck, but thank God I let you go first. Now, I can show everyone how it’s really done,” she says before looking out to the seventy-plus guests sitting in front of us.

Even though our jest is purely for show, I can almost pretend for a few seconds that we’re back to our normal bickering selves.

“If you don’t know who I am, I’m Ally, Remi’s best friend and maid of honor. We were just eight years old when we met. I moved in next door to her, and the second she appeared on my doorstep with a banana cake her mom had made, we were attached at the hip—or at least, we were until a certain six-foot-two firefighter swept her off her feet, quite literally from a house fire. From that moment, it was like, Ally who?”

Her sweet laughter wraps around my heart like a vise, and like a lovestruck fool, I let myself feel it even though I know it’ll hurt like a bitch as soon as she finishes her toast.

“All joking aside, I don’t actually mind sharing her with someone as amazing as Nate. In just a few short months, he quickly became one of my favorite people. Though having Nate in my life comes with its extra baggage—aka an identical twin brother called Logan.”

I blink in surprise at the mention of my name. We haven’t exactly been on speaking terms, but I’m flattered she would include me. It means she’s been thinking about me.

“Remi and I had this pact when we were younger—that if she dated a twin, she’d set me up with his brother. Well, once I met Nate, this hot firefighter, and Remi told me he had an identical twin who was in fact a police officer…I was about ready to dump my boyfriend.”

I laugh, unable to help myself.

“That’s where that pact ended. The minute I met Logan…well, everyone who knows us knows just how rocky our relationship began. But, eventually, he warmed me over…but that was where the pact began and ended. When Remi met Nate, she gained this amazing family…and I did, too. Nate has become an incredible brother to me. Kaelyn gave Remi and me a place to stay for free when our house burned down, and ever since, she’s become a close friend to us, even when we burned down her townhouse a few months later.” She shrugs her shoulders. “What can I say? We don’t seem to have much luck with houses. Thank God Remi now lives with a firefighter.”

Everyone laughs, and I’m left utterly amazed she can make a joke about the fires, especially since she’s always had such a hard time even talking about them. It seems that, during our time apart, she’s done some self-healing.

“Nate, it might be worth building Remi a bunker house—you know, something indestructible,” she jokes, and both Nate and Remi laugh.

“Then, there is Blake. He’s offered me legal advice but not before hitting on me,” she says with a raised brow, and more laughter follows.

My eyes search out my brother’s at his table, and I glare daggers at him as he laughs along with everyone else.

Motherfucker, I’m gonna kill him.

“Then, there is Jace—who, FYI, other than Nate, he hasn’t actually hit on me, but he knows how to make the most amazing margaritas, and he even taught me some astrophysics, as I’ve always been super obsessed with planets and the universe. Hopefully, we’ll be able to sit down soon and discuss more with some margaritas.”

Jace raises his glass to her with a nod of his head. Then, she turns her attention to me, and my heart begins to race, as I have no idea what she’s going to say.

“Then, there is Logan.” She lets out a whoosh of air. “I’m not even quite sure where to start. Though I made a joke about the fires just now, in reality, they were serious. Logan and Nate nearly died…but the night of the second fire, Logan saved my life. In that moment, that was a game changer for me, and you want to know why?” she asks rhetorically, her eyes solely gazing into mine. “Because that was the day I fell in love with him.”

Now, I legit stop breathing.

“Aww,” can be heard throughout the room.

She continues, “And the soul mate he spoke about in his speech, saying he might not have found her yet…well, he has. He just might not have known it, considering how difficult I’ve made his life lately. But I hope he gives me a second chance because I want what he wants. I want what Remi and Nate have,” she says, looking at them both. “I want the husband, the best friend, the soul mate, and if he asked me to marry him right now, I know exactly what my answer would be.”

Her eyes flicker back to me, and five weeks of anxiety and heartbreak melt away instantly.

“Today”—she focuses back to Remi and Nate—“I’m not losing a best friend. I’m gaining a new, extended family, and I’m so grateful to have them in my life. I also can’t wait to see what comes next for Remi and Nate and I’m excited that I get to be a part of that story as her best friend.

“Remi, I love you. You are everything I strive to be. You are brave, sweet, and the most amazing person a best friend could ask for. You also rock the hell out of that wedding dress, woman. You are absolutely stunning, and I’m so grateful to be your maid of honor. I just hope