Chapter 7: A Dinner and Unintended Messages

After confirming my plans with Liam, I decided to unwind with a nice shower. The warm water was soothing, and the thoughts of the evening ahead kept me company. Refreshed and ready to face the rest of the evening, I changed into a comfortable yet stylish outfit and headed downstairs for dinner.

As I descended the stairs, I caught a glimpse of the cozy scene in the living room. My mom was in the kitchen, preparing a delicious meal, while my dad was engrossed in his study, shuffling through papers and working on his projects. It was a typical evening, and the familiar routine brought a sense of comfort.

I entered the kitchen to assist my mom, eager to lend a hand with dinner preparations. The scent of her cooking filled the air, and we chatted about the day's events as we worked. But the peaceful ambiance was suddenly interrupted by the persistent chime of the doorbell, which sent a ripple of curiosity through the house.

"Who could it be at this hour?" I asked my mom, puzzled by the unexpected visitor.

My mom turned from her cooking and replied, "Please, honey, go and answer the door,". My mom gently requested.

With a glance at my mom, I wiped my hands on a towel and made my way to the front door. As I swung it open, I was met with an unexpected sight – Mia and Logan stood right on the doorstep, and I couldn't help but stare in surprise.

"Hey, kid," Logan greeted me with a warm smile, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions.

"What are you two doing here, at this hour?" I inquired, utterly confused about the situation and their unannounced visit.

A hint of sarcasm in my mother's voice brought me back to reality as she quipped, 

"Wouldn't you like to invite them in, Blaire? Or do you plan to host dinner right at the doorstep?" my mother playfully teased.

As Mia and I exchanged warm greetings, our familiarity evident in our embraces, my mother couldn't help but join the moment. With a welcoming smile, she responded, "Hey, sweetie," and hugged Mia back. They had practically become a part of our family over the years, and my mom's affectionate greeting was a testament to that bond.

However, it was Logan who turned my world a bit topsy-turvy when he decided to enter the scene. He stood at the door, his gaze piercing into mine, those mesmerizing eyes seemingly trying to decipher my thoughts and emotions. The familiarity between us was palpable, but in that moment, it was tinged with something more profound.

"Oh, those eyes," I silently chided myself, feeling the unmistakable pull of his gaze. "Focus, Blaire," I urged, trying to bring myself back to reality and away from the intoxication of his presence.

In response to his teasing question, I gathered my wits and stammered, "Come in, Logan." Though the words were casual, the invitation held a deeper meaning. It was an unspoken acknowledgment of the bond between us, a connection that had weathered storms and found its way back to where it belonged.

My mother and Mia had already moved further into the house, leaving Logan standing by the door. With a playful twinkle in his eyes, he couldn't resist a moment of teasing as he said, "And where's my hug?"

I blinked, momentarily caught off guard by his request, but then I understood. Logan had always been a hugger. There was something comforting about the way he embraced those he cared about. And so, I relented, a warm smile tugging at the corners of my lips as I extended my arms to welcome him into my embrace.

"Huh" I feigned surprise, a hint of playful reluctance in my voice, but we both knew where this was leading. Logan, ever the gentleman, didn't need a second invitation. He wrapped his strong arms around me, and in that instant, I felt cocooned within his hug. He was a giant compared to my petite frame, and his embrace was like a protective shield, a place of comfort where worries seemed to melt away.

"Oh, God, why is my kid so little like a baby. " Logan teased, his voice filled with affection. He playfully ruffled my hair, and his words, while meant in jest, held a deeper truth. Our connection had its roots in our shared childhood, and in his arms, I couldn't help but feel like the child he had always been protective of.

With that warm, familial exchange, the weight of any lingering tension dissipated, and our relationship was reaffirmed. I knew that Logan's presence in our home signaled a shift in the evening's course, and I couldn't help but anticipate what the future held for us. "Come inside," I finally invited him, a knowing smile on my face, and together, we moved deeper into the house, where the rest of the evening awaited.

"Where's Uncle Ken?" Logan asked, referring to my dad.

"He's in the study room. Let me go and call him," I replied. 

""I'll go and see him," Logan offered. His words held a tone of familiarity and confidence, and with a subtle nod, he headed towards the study room, leaving me in the kitchen with Mia and Mom. As I watched him go, I couldn't help but wonder about the dynamics of the evening and the unspoken tension that lingered beneath the surface.

In the heart of our cozy kitchen, the delightful aroma of a home-cooked meal enveloped us. I eagerly joined Mia and Mom, transforming us into a harmonious trio, each of us contributing to the culinary symphony. The rhythmic clinking of utensils, the enticing sizzle of ingredients in the pan, and the familiar sounds of the kitchen created a comforting backdrop to our gathering, echoing the bond we shared.

Mom, busily stirring a pot, explained the reason for Logan's presence, "I invited them for dinner since Logan left in a hurry this morning." Her words were followed by a warm smile, acknowledging the unexpected turn our evening had taken. With Logan's visit, the atmosphere shifted from the tranquility of a family dinner to an exciting blend of surprise and anticipation, setting the stage for an eventful evening.

With my dad joining us, we all gathered around the dinner table. The spread before us showcased a selection of delicious dishes, and the room was suffused with a warm and inviting atmosphere. As we started to dig into the meal, the chatter at the table began to flow naturally.

Logan, always a charismatic conversationalist, engaged with my dad in discussions about his work. "Uncle Ken, I've been focusing on expanding our company's specialization in training bodyguards," Logan shared. "It's been an exciting venture, and there's always something new happening in that field."

Dad leaned forward, clearly interested in the topic. "That sounds fascinating, Logan. You must have some incredible stories from your line of work."

On the other side of the table, the more casual conversations were in full swing. Mom, Mia, and I delved into topics that ranged from school and academics to Mia's boyfriend, but my attention was unmistakably drawn to Logan throughout the meal. 

After dinner, Mia and I retreated to my room, settling on the bed. We were engrossed in dissecting the impending date. 

Unexpectedly, the door swung open, and Logan strolled into the room. Our eyes met, and I exchanged a quick, almost conspiratorial glance with Mia. Mia and I swiftly switched to a different topic, our secret conversations better left that way.

Logan, nonchalant as ever, approached the bed, dropping down to rest his head on my lap. The sudden physical proximity sent a rush of emotions through me, making my heart race. As much as I tried to maintain composure, his actions were testing the limits of my resolve.

Internally, I couldn't help but think, "This guy is driving me nuts." The temptation of his presence, the memories we shared, and the lingering emotions made it challenging to keep my feelings at bay. 

Logan sighed contentedly, seemingly oblivious to the tension his actions had injected into the room. "You know, I've missed moments like this," he said, his voice soft and wistful. His eyes met mine, and there was a fleeting expression of vulnerability that caught me off guard.

Mia chimed in, expertly masking the true nature of our prior conversation. "Yes, we used to have these cozy chats all the time back in the day." Her tone was casual, and she helped maintain the illusion that our discussion had been about childhood memories.

Logan grinned, and there was a touch of nostalgia in his eyes. "Those were good times. Nothing complicated, just us."

"Are you coming home tomorrow?" Logan inquired, his eyes fixed on me.

It is Sunday, and my plans for tomorrow were already set. "I don't think I can make it tomorrow," I responded, my voice laced with anxiety.

Logan's curiosity was palpable as he pressed further. "Why not?" he asked, not easily accepting my refusal. I felt a pang of guilt rising within me, knowing that it was challenging to lie to Logan, but I couldn't reveal my plans with Liam.

In that moment, Mia stepped in, coming to my rescue with her quick thinking. "I won't be home tomorrow. I'm going out with Sean," she interjected, her words smoothly diverting attention away from my excuse.

"Why do you only need Mia? You can come over, I and mom will be there," Logan persisted, a hint of longing in his voice.

Desperation crept into my tone as I concocted another excuse, a lie that seemed to fray the bonds of our friendship. "I've got to work on my project," I claimed, knowing that it was my first lie to Logan, and the weight of it weighed heavily on me.

Logan's willingness to reconnect was evident as he offered, "Then you'll be at home, right? I can come over and help you with your work."

In an attempt to hold my ground, I continued with the deception. "No, you can't. I won't be at home. I'll be going to the library. " I replied, crafting a story that would shield my true feelings and intentions.

 Logan pressed further, "Are you going alone?"

Mia quickly chimed in, helping maintain the facade. "No, she's going with her group," she added, reinforcing the fabricated narrative.

"Oh, Alright." Logan's response was laced with a hint of sadness. Despite our efforts to conceal the truth, it was clear that our fabricated excuses had left him disappointed. I felt a twinge of remorse, knowing that I had no other choice but to continue with the charade.

 The web of deceit we had woven left me with a growing sense of unease, as if a subtle yet undeniable distance was forming between Logan and me. The foundation of our friendship, built on trust and honesty, was now compromised.

As the evening drew to a close, it was time for Mia and Logan to leave. I walked them to the door, knowing that our web of lies was not only a betrayal to Logan but also a source of inner turmoil for me.

"Good night, Blaire," Mia said, her voice tinged with an underlying layer of unease.

"Good night, Mia," I replied, though the weight of our secrets hung heavy in the air.

Logan's turn came, and he called me "baby," a term of endearment that held a world of memories and emotions. "Night, baby," he said softly.

"Night, Logan," I responded, my voice carrying a hint of sadness.

As I watched their car pull away into the night, I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that weighed heavily on my heart. The necessity of these lies to protect my own emotions only brought temporary relief, but it was clear that they were pushing Logan further away.

Little did I know that Sunday would bring unforeseen twists, taking me on an unexpected journey of emotions and decisions.