16. Paybacks, save the dates and plans

Looking at the stars with you in the silence feel a thousand times better than anything I have ever done. It is more exhilarating than bungee jumping and paragliding. - Logan.

~~~

16. Paybacks, save the dates and plans

(Alexandra)

20th of July?

What the hell was he thinking? He wasn't thinking. Again. It seemed like Stacie had a strange effect on him or something.

He leaned closer to her as she stood there gaping and blinking. She couldn't still wrap her mind around the news --more like the bomb-- he had just dropped on her.

"Close your mouth. What happened to your acting skills, huh? On vacation? If you keep blinking, even I am going to start doubting my words." He whispered to her and placed a small kiss on her cheek. "Smile."

"It looked like you surprised her, Logan. I don't believe in any of this. This is all just a way to get back at me. Isn't it?" Stacie looked so smug. Her blonde hair was shiny, but her eyes were shinier. It gave Alex the creeps.

Stacie was a tall woman and she looked sexy in her dress, if Alex was honest to herself. The diamond in her throat glittered, and the deep red lipstick was done deeper. High cheek bone, model body, she was perfect. A perfect match to Logan, too.

Alex didn't think she was ugly or anything. In face, she knew she was beautiful. She loved herself the way she was, but truth be told, she was no Stacie. Stacie was all woman. Tall, sinewy and sexy with those blue eyes, which looked like it could read every one of your deepest and darkest secrets. Whoa!

But Logan, Logan wasn't looking at Stacie the way every other man was looking at her. His eyes were blank. No emotions there.

It made Alex feel a little bit better. Only a little. Because she knew even if he hadn't really loved her, he must have had seen something in her to date her for a year. That was not nothing.

And it made Alex feel... Something.

Jealousy. Envy. Possessiveness.

Thank you, you stupid voice. I know it.

"Everything is not about you, Stacie. You get it, right. It can not be all about you." Alex said as she snuggled closer to Logan. But it is. It is all about her. And that thought made her body cold with trepidation even when Logan's body was so warm next to her.

He put his hand on hers as if he could read how hard it was for her. He pressed his fingers to the inside of her palms and smiled at her.

"We will send you a card. Okay? Bye for now."

But Stacie wasn't ready to let them go. She looked determined. Her mouth was set stubbornly and Logan sighed next to Alex.

"You are not letting this go, are you?"

"I need to know the truth, Logan. I am not that easily dispensable. I am not." She looked frustrated. If Alex knew any better, she was sure Stacie was going to make a scene any time now and Alex wasn't ready for that. She didn't want that.

"We are not doing this just to spite you, Stacie. I mean, no one will get married for that." Alex was crossing her fingers behind her back the whole time.

It was kinda hard to keep lying to Stacie, when the woman looked like she was going to breakdown any moment from now, but she didn't have a choice but make Stacie believe it all. She had to believe it, without a nock of doubt.

It was the contract.

"This whole getting married, I think it is a lie too. So?" Stacie shrugged, trying to look nonchalant, but Alex saw that look she threw at Logan. One of desperation. It was the one Alex had seen so many times today in the mirror when she realized she was in love with the man who would never return it back.

"You said no, Stacie. You did."

"I did."

"You said you will not come back." Logan said with a hint of gloating in his face. "What are you doing now, Stacie?"

Shit. Did he have to goad her? It was already done. Stacie was already regretting it all.

Alex subtly punched him in his side. He turned to frown at her and she shook her head.

"What?"

"Nothing. There is Dan. Let us go say hi." Before she could drag Logan away, Daniel was there in front of them. He smirked at Stacie.

"Oh hello there, didn't see you there. How are you doing?"

"Not bow, Daniel." Stacie said, looking exasperated. "I don't have time to engage in your silly games. Not now."

"Still sitting in your mighty horse, I see. But one day you will fall." Dan looked angry.

"We will see, Dannie boy." Stacie smirked at him before she walked away, her dark red dress swishing around her body like a seductive siren.

"Hey Dan, haven't seen you in a long long time."

"Yeah, like I told you, I was on a business merger. My dad is kinda driving me crazy." He smiled as he pulled Alex in a hug.

"Where is my hug?" Logan asked with a grumpy frown.

"Oh, is my wittle Logan is all left out?" Dan cooed.

"Did you just say wittle?" Alex chuckled as he pulled Logan inside a hug.

"Okay. Let go. Dan, you idiot, let go. Everyone is looking."

"Dude. Stop struggling." Dan said as he let Logan go.

"You want another hug, Log?"

"No thanks. I am going to get me something to drink. God. You almost asphyxiated me."

"Big words." Dan shook his head. "Don't know what it means. But I think it is something good." He looked at Logan with a smirk. "Oh get us something to drink, too."

"I am not your server." Logan grunted at his friend.

Alex couldn't help but like how Logan was all so easy going with Daniel. When they talked, joked and bantered, it was evident. Their friendship. Their love for each other. Loyal, unflinching, unwavering love.

That kind of friendship... Alex had it with Stella.

She wished Stella would come back already from wherever she was now.

Stella would have answers to all of Alex's problem.

"You look sad. What?" Logan asked as he touched her cheeks gently. His eyes were wide with concern. And this Logan was also real.

Hot and cold and warm. She lived every dimension of him. He wasn't always snobby or smug or arrogant. He was sometimes the sweetest guy she had ever met and that made her fall deeper for him. Into him.

"Looking at you two... I just missed my best friend."

"Stella. Right?"

She was surprised that he remembered her name.

"What? Why is that such a surprise? I remember everything that guy said."

Alex chuckled. " You don't remember that guy's name?"

"Aren't you going to get a drink?" Daniel grumbled.

"Johan. Alright." Logan grumbled. "So where is Stella."

"Somewhere in Europe, I suppose." Alex said.

"Oh. The honeymoon. Eh?" He said as he stared at her. "She will be back. Don't be sad."

"Okay."

"Good."

"My drink?" Daniel complained again.

"Hey Dan, go and bring champagne. We have something to tell you." Logan said and Alex pressed her hand against his mouth.

Daniel's eyes widened as he gasped. "It is that ring."

For a moment nobody talked.

"That ring. What is so special about this ring?" Alex asked as she looked at her finger. Yes. It was a very beautiful ring. But Logan had told her it wasn't all real. So what was the big deal.

"Nothing. So Danny, we are getting married." Logan said as he looked at Daniel.

Alex felt like he was hiding something about this ring. Stacie was surprised to see the ring and now Daniel.

"Am I the last to know. Not fair man."

"You are the second to know."

"The first one, is that Stacie?" He looked belligerent. Alex giggled.

"Come on, Dan. She came to us and saw the ring and one thing lead to another."

"Whatever. I will go bring the champagne. But you have to make it up to me or I will not be your best man."

"Oh. Okay. I will." Logan smiled at him as he walked away.

"This isn't fake. You lied."

"Because you were stubborn. You know Alex, everyone in my --wait, our-- circle will know if it is fake. I can't keep worrying if they found out or not."

"Is this costly?"

"It is. But don't worry about it."

"What if I lost it Logan?"

"It is yours. If you lost it, you are the only one you have to answer. Not to me. Alright?"

"It is not mine, Logan. It is all part of this lie."

"But I gave it to you for real, okay. Please." He put a finger to her mouth. "I know I can be all frustrating or something and I know you hate this. You hate being a part of this lie. I know, Alex and I am sorry, okay, sorry I dragged you into this. If you want to get out of it, you still can. But that ring, it is yours, even if you break our fake engagement."

"You know it will spoil your reputation more than it would have when Stacie said no."

"I know."

"So? You don't want to marry anymore? You are doubting this, aren't you?"

"No. I am not doubting this. But I can see you are and I don't know, Alex, I don't know."

"Come with me."

"Where?"

"Just come."

She pushed open a door and it opened to a terrace. The wind was cool on her heated cheeks. She knew what she was about to do was totally reckless.

She should just take the offer and walk away when her heart was not too deeply embroiled. If she did walk away now, the heartbreak would be bearable. Maybe she could even forget him as time passed.

No, you can't.

But she could learn to live without him.

Maybe.

But she didn't want to do it. She wanted to hold on longer.

She grabbed his hands in hers as his gray eyes stared into hers. It was like magic.

She looked above. There were so many stars in the sky today, it looked like there was a festival happening up in the sky. The moon was a thin crescent and so beautiful.

"I am not doubting this. Okay? I want to marry you. Even if it is only fake and temporary. You get that inside your thick skull. Don't talk about this anymore. We have started this and we are going to end this story. Got it?"

He looked at her with a small smile and chuckled. It was raspy and throaty, when he called her name. "Lex."

She loved it when he said it like that.

His stubble was darker against the shadows and she felt like she was made of fire.

She grabbed his tie and pulled him closer and pressed her lips against his stubble. Her whole body tingled at the slight touch.

"Deal?" She whispered.

"Deal. Can we seal it with a kiss."

"No can't do."

"But I even used Listerine."

"Um. I don't care. Bye."

He stood there gaping as she turned back and walked away.

~~~

(Logan)

It took him ten minutes to get his head back. He could still feel her around his body, still smell her in his skin

He shook his head with a smile and walked out.

"You looked like you had a rendezvous with someone." Daniel said as he gave him a glass of champagne. "You need a bucket of ice."

"I do."

"Where is Alex?" He asked.

"What, you couldn't get enough of her?"

"Yes." And it wasn't a lie. It wasn't an act. It was how he felt, how he was feeling these days. But those feelings were wrong and he knew it.

"Shit, man." Daniel said looking at something and Logan turned back to look at Alex standing there, unmoving and Stacie was in front of her with a malicious smile on her face. Alex' eyes were wide and shiny, and everyone was looking at them.

Her beautiful blue dress, the one he loved on her was now stained a deep red in the front.

Logan wanted to go to her, this instant, but there were people around them. He pushed through throngs of people and heard Stacie say an oops.

"My bad." Stacie snickered.

He was almost sure Alex was going to cry or walk away. She was shaking. But when had she ever done anything he expected?

She was made for unexpected happenings and that was what he loved about her.

She looked up at Stacie, who was snickering at her like it was all a joke. Her blue eyes were mocking and Logan wanted to cut in, but he knew Alex could handle it, handle Stacie. But he would be right here if Alex needed him.

"If you can not walk straight in your high heels, don't wear them, Stacie. And you look drunk. Do you have a chauffeur who can take you home?"

The people who were chuckling and pointing at Alex now looked at her with wonder.

Yeah, take that. That is my girl.

She then turned to him with the same placid smile. " Logan, honey, can we drive her home?"

It made Stacie look like a mean simpleton. Stacie bristled, and tried to say something, but it looked like she couldn't.

Logan wanted to pull Alex to him and kiss her then and there.

Stacie looked red as she gritted her teeth.

"I am not some charity case. I have my car and don't act like you are from heaven. You are no angel, bitch and I can see it."

"Ma'am. Please," It was the Hotel manager. "Don't make a scene."

"Don't tell me what to do? Don't you know who I am?"

People started to whisper as Stacie glared at the manager.

"You need to leave, mam." He said to her.

"I don't need to do anything you tell me to do. Okay? What is your name, huh? You tell me... I can... "

Logan walked to Alex and grabbed her hands.

"Let us go." He said to her and she nodded as they walked away, leaving Stacie screaming at the poor manager.

"I liked this dress." She said with a sad smile. "I really liked it."

"I am sorry, baby."

"What?" She squeaked.

"What what?" He looked at her bewildered.

"You-you called me-"

"What did I call?" He was confused. What did he call her that made her look all befuddled and flushed?

"You don't even remember it? It was just seconds ago?"

"I don't know. Tell me, then."

"Nah. Let us go. And I am hungry."

"What do you want?"

"Pizza."

"Pizza it is."

~~~

(Alexandra)

His whole family was here. He called them after the gala to tell them he was getting married --he just didn't mention them that one important detail-- and the next day, here they were, all congregated in the living room.

"Logan, why can't I be your best man? Daniel is so boring." Emma said as Daniel grumbled next to her.

"No way. I am not risking anything. You and your twin are trouble and that is that."

"And I am not boring, Emma." Daniel said with a pout. "I am all kind of amazing."

"Who wants a pot roast?" Logan's mom asked as she put a tray in front of them. Alex was fast to grab a piece. She was hungry. Yes.

"I can be your best man, uncle Logan. We can invite a clown, you know. It will be fun." Andy said as he looked imploringly at Logan.

"I am sure it will be, buddy." Logan ruffled his hair and he giggled.

"I can be aunt Alex's best man." Brian said as he came sat next to Alex. Alex laughed at him.

"Oh, you can be. I have a handsome best man."

"Then I want to be your best man" too." Andy pouted and pulled away from Logan. Then he came and sat on the other side of Alex as Alex grinned at Logan victoriously. "Poor Logan." She said and he smiled at her.

"Traitors." Logan said looking at his nephews.

"Honey, you can wear your dad's suit. You know. " His mom said as she sat down in the couch. "This couch is made for sin."

"I love sinning, then." Dave, Logan's dad, said as he sat down next to his wife and took her hand in his. She snuggled close and he kissed her on her forehead. It was like he didn't even realize he was doing it. It was like reflex. But the smile on his face, it was one of contentment.

And Alex' heart hurt seeing that.

It was the kind of love that could withstand years and hardships and trials.

And Alex wouldn't find it with anyone except this man who was now chuckling with his sisters and their husbands.

But this man had stamped an end date over their relationship.

Maybe he will fall in love with you too, you know. Don't be so pessimistic.

Oh, how I wish! But would he?

Let us hope, then.

"Mom, you know, I will look like a clown if I wear that. The clown Andy wanted." Logan said with a wave of his hand. "What are you thinking, mom?" He shook his head. His mom gave him a sheepish smile.

"She isn't thinking. Nah." Emma said.

"Ssh, don't hurt her feelings. You should wear that, you know. If she really wants that." Alex said and he glared at her.

"No, it is alright honey." Bethany said with a smile.

"Lex, look. You know, my dad is shorter than me and wider, as well." He pushed his hands apart with a smirk. His sisters laughed and Dave pouted.

"Logan. Ssh. That is just rude."

"I heard it. I am not wide. I am just growing in the opposite direction. It is the new trend. And Logan, I wasn't this wide before marriage, you know. So don't be too smug about it." He winked at his son.

"Oh, yeah, dad. We all love how chubby you are. Camille is always saying that you look like a giant teddy bear." Eliza said as Camille whined at her mom.

"Mom... Ssh."

"Teddy bears are cute."

"Yes, they are, gramps. But you are not. You are just big and cuddly." Camille said as she snuggled next to him. "So cuddly."

"Baby girl, you are too hard to please. Now my boys here, they will vouch for my cuteness. Eh, Andy? Brian?"

"Yes, sure, what will I get grampa? Cookies? Candies?"

"I will vouch for it, Dave. For free." Alex said as she poked Andy in the stomach and he giggled and thrashed in the floor as she tickled him.

"Surrender, aunt Alex. Surrender."

"Good boy." She said as he sat up.

"Not fair."

"I have some ideas." Eliza said as she pushed her iPad in front of Alex. "You are getting married here, right?"

"Yes." Logan said.

"When?"

"I am thinking evening." Alex said.

"Perfect. And the reception will be at twilight hour. It will look beautiful. We can open the pool house and string fairy lights around. Here. Look at this setting."

"This is awesome."

"Classy." Logan said. "Neat. I like it. You can do that, right?"

"I do too. So we can go with white theme. You know. Simple, and beautiful."

"I can, of course." Eliza said. "We are hiring the best wedding planner."

"No. No wedding planner would agree to do it in such short amount of time, you know." Alex said.

"We will see." Logan shrugged.

"My friend makes bouquets, you know. We can go see her next monday."

"Oh. Thank you, Eliza."

"It is my pleasure. I am the maid of honor, so..."

"You asked her and not me?"

Alex stared at Emma who looked like she was going to wrestle someone. Oh God.

"I mean... I-you- you wanted to be his best man, no?"

"Not fair. We are contesting for that. The winner get the position."

"No Em, she asked me first."

"Shut up, you too. Don't pester her." Logan said. "She looked scared."

"I- I am sorry Em. I didn't... "

"God. Alex, I am just kidding. Don't worry." Emma said. "I will be the best bride's maid ever."

"Thank you."

"Do you have an idea about the wedding dress you want.

"Umm no."

"What kind of girl don't have her dream wedding dress."

"I- it is all so sudden, you know." She looked at Logan and they giggled.

"Brother dearest can't wait any longer, eh?" Eliza winked as Alex blushed.

"Oh my God, you two haven't done it yet." Emma shrieked. Everyone turned to look at her and Alex felt like she was going to burst.

"That is totally inappropriate, young lady." Logan's mom sternly looked at her daughter. "Apologize, Emma."

"I-I am sorry."

"It-it is okay, Em." Alex stuttered.

All through it, her eyes were on Logan and he didn't look away for a moment. He was staring at her as if he wanted to take her to somewhere private and have his way with her.

It made her body tremble deliciously.

And then he stood up and walked inside the kitchen.

"Alex, can you come here for a moment? I don't know where the cookies are."

She knew he knew where they were.

"A moment,"

"It is okay." Eliza said. "Take your time." She whispered. "Hey, I want something cold to drink." She announced in a loud voice.

"Will be right back." She stood on shaking legs and walked inside the kitchen. He was leaning against the kitchen island, his eyes intense on hers.

"What?" She said.

"Kiss me. Please." He said it like he was in pain. "I want you to kiss me, now."

And she did.

For a moment, it all felt so real.

___

Me: Uhm, guys? Guys? GUYS!

Logan: *startles* what are you doing, skulking around like a stalker?

Me: I have Save the date cards ready.

Alex: Show me.

Logan: Woman, we are kissing. Save the date card is not important.

Alex: Shut up.

Logan: Yes ma'am.

Me: He is strangely docile today. Uhm. Wonder why?

Alex: Hmm. Yah!

Logan: I am going to bring Eliza her lemonade. See you, stalker. Bye Lex.

Me: What is that? You two aren't fighting today. It is like a miracle.

Logan: *walks away muttering* 👣👣 annoying creatures.

So...

Who wants to attend Alex' and Logan's wedding?

Here is an invite for all of you...

You are invited...