Logan walks me to the driver’s side, same as always. But instead of kissing me goodnight and heading to his own vehicle, he lingers. Hands in his pockets. That look on his face I’ve learned means he’s working up to something.
“So,” he says. “We have two days off.”
“We do.”
“And I was thinking...” He trails off, fixes his glasses, runs a hand through his hair. “Would you want to do something? Tomorrow? With me?”
“Like a date?”
“Yes. Exactly like a date. A real one.” He meets my eyes, nervous but determined. “I want to take you somewhere. Somewhere special. If you’re interested.”
I pretend to consider it, just to watch him squirm. “I suppose I could clear my schedule.”
“Really?”
“Logan, I’ve been waiting for you to ask me on a proper date since the day we met. Yes, really.”
His smile is worth every second of the wait.
By the time Saturday afternoon rolls around, I’m standing in front of my closet having a minor crisis about what to wear. He wouldn’t tell me where we’re going—just said to dress warm and comfortable, and that he’d pick me up at four.
Warm and comfortable. That could mean anything. A walk along the lakefront? A rooftop bar with outdoor heaters? Some kind of outdoor adventure that I’m woefully unprepared for?
I do what any self-respecting woman does in a fashion emergency. I call for backup.
Audrey:
SOS. First real date with Logan. He said, ‘warm and comfortable.’ WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
Serena:
OMG FINALLY. It means he’s taking you somewhere outdoors. Or somewhere casual. Or he has no idea how to give wardrobe instructions.
Layla:
All three, probably. What are your options?
I prop my phone against the mirror and start a video call, holding up hangers like my life depends on it.
“OK, option one.” I press a chunky knit sweater dress against my body. “Cozy but cute?”
“Too formal if you’re hiking,” Layla says, her face filling half my screen. She’s got a sheet mask on, which shouldn’t be intimidating but somehow is. “What if there’s mud?”
“Why would there be mud?”
“You said ‘warm and comfortable.’ That’s mud-adjacent language.”
“Logan doesn’t strike me as a hiker.” Serena’s face appears in the other half of the screen, her hair in a messy bun as she stands in her kitchen, stirring what I assume is cookie batter in a mixing bowl. “Show us option two.”
I swap to the pink and yellow striped sweater and dark jeans. “Casual but not sloppy?”
“Ooh.” Serena leans closer to her camera. “I like that. It’s giving ‘I want to impress him but also I’m not afraid to spill hot chocolate on myself,’ which is very you.”
“Those jeans make your ass look incredible,” Layla adds. “Wear those.”
“You can’t even see my ass right now.”
“I’ve seen your ass in those jeans before. Trust me.”
