"You're telling me you are going to be stuck in a car for two hours with a hot guy who defended you AND who has been helping out at your bakery free of charge?" Jess fell back on my bed with a sigh. "It's like a real life Christmas story."
"It's not like that." I shook my head at her as I tried to quickly pack. I've been so busy I put off packing until the last minute and now Logan was set to be here in thirty minutes and I wasn't even close to be done.
"Logan offered to drive since he has a truck in case it snows, and we are heading to the same place. That's it."
"We both know that's a lie. The guy likes you."
"Now you really are talking out of your ass." I scoffed, folding a pair of leggings.
"Liv, he's spent the last two weeks coming to the bakery to help when he could be doing something else. Who does that? And don't get me started on him defending you at the bar."
"That doesn't mean anything. Logan's a nice guy." I couldn't let myself think anything of that. If let myself believe Logan felt anything towards me it would only lead to heartbreak. Heartbreak I didn't need again.
I felt Jess's eyes on me as I moved around my room.
"Don't look at me like that."
"You've liked Logan since you were 17, maybe this is your chance."
"I had my chance years ago remember. It didn't turn out well."
"Three years is a long time."
"Highly doubt his feelings have changed in three years." I shook my head. "I want to forget it ever happened. We are going to drive to Christmas together, enjoy the holiday as FRIENDS and that's it." I put emphasis on the word 'friends'. That's what Logan and I were now. Or I think so.
"Be in denial all you want Livvy." Jess sang before getting off the bed and walking out.
I shook my head at her words and got back to packing. I wasn't in denial....I wasn't.
* * * * * * * * * * *
I finished packing literally minutes before Logan knocked on the door to the apartment. I wasn't going to be gone that long but a girl can never be too prepared. I mean what if I poop my pants five times a day and need extra underwear? Not likely but there's still a chance.
Coming out of my room with my suitcases I paused for just a second when I caught sight of Logan. He was standing in the doorway a little awkwardly looking at photos of Jess and I on the wall.
It was weird seeing him in my apartment. Trust me I've imagined Logan being in my apartment hundreds of times, but obviously none ever came true and none of them were of him picking me up for Christmas.
"Ready to go?" I asked. He quickly looked away from the photos and gave me a nod. I knew if we didn't hit the road soon we'd have both Knox and Aubrey's mom calling and texting non-stop.
"Are you planning on staying a month?" Logan eyed my two big suitcases. "Not sure I'll have room in my truck." He was teasing me but I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Not all of us can pack two jeans and two shirts. And for your information the second suitcase has presents in it." There was really no other way to get presents to Rutland and suitcases made it easier to carry them.
"Jess, we are leaving!" I yelled over my shoulder. She was currently packing to go to her parents house a town over.
After a long goodbye and a promise to see her in a few days, Logan and I headed down to his truck. He was carrying the suitcase with presents while I rolled my other one.
The moment we stepped out of my apartment building I was hit in the face with freezing cold air. It nipped at my face instantly making me shiver. The thick sweater and leggings I had on didn't do much to bat the cold. You would think after spending my entire life here I'd get use to the cold but nope. Every year it still shocks me how cold it gets.
I practically shoved Logan to the side as I all but ran towards his truck. The sky was dark and cloudy, ready to snow at any moment. Logan took his sweet time making his way towards me, clearly enjoying watching me bounce on my toes as I froze my ass off.
As soon as he hit unlock I jumped inside, leaving my suitcase for him to deal with. Serves him right for making me wait out in the cold. The truck wasn't on but it was by far warmer than it was outside.
"Thanks for the help." Logan deadpanned as he slid into the divers seat.
"Wanted to see if those muscles were just for show." I looked at his arm, although covered from his jacket, you could practically see the muscle underneath. "Guess they aren't."
Logan just shook his head and started the truck. As he pulled out of the parking lot and started for the freeway I suddenly remembered something.
"Wait! Can we stop by the bakery really quick?"
"The bakery? Why?"
"I forgot something there. Please." I put on my best puppy dog look. I know it would put us back a few minutes but it was important.
"Fine, but we have to make it quick before it starts snowing."
"I will!" I beamed.
The roads were pretty empty as we made our way to the bakery. As soon as Logan pulled up I quickly jumped out, keys in hand. I ordered a present the other day and it literally came yesterday afternoon and I forgot it was siting on the counter when I left. Couldn't go to Christmas without it.
I made quick work of going over to the counter where I could see the box I put there yesterday in my rush to leave. Knowing Logan was outside waiting for me I snatched the box up and headed back to the truck.
I so badly wanted to open it and see what was inside but with Logan next to me I couldn't. After seeing Logan in the bakery I went online and found this cute apron that said "Hands off my Buns" and it had these two cute little buns above it. I found it funny and thought it would be the perfect Christmas present.
Jumping into his truck I slammed the door quickly, shivering from only being outside for a second.
"Good?" Logan peered over at me. I lifted the box with a grin.
"Yep!" He eyed the box for a moment before backing out onto the street. As he headed for the freeway I sent both Knox and Aubrey's mom a text that we were leaving. Not even seconds later I got one back from my brother. He was probably waiting by his phone.
"Excited for Christmas?" I asked a few minutes later, trying to break up the slightly awkward tension between us.
"Am I suppose to be?"
"Duh! It's Christmas eve tomorrow!"
I owe Aubrey a lot. When she met Knox and I 8 years ago, we had lost our parents and the thought of spending Christmas without them was....well horrible. I knew Knox wouldn't have admitted it but he didn't want to do anything for the holiday.
When I found Aubrey's ad I replied without even thinking. It turned out to be the best decision I ever made. It gave Knox and Aubrey each other but it also gave me a family.
They all took me under their wings and became the family I hadn't known I needed. No one could replace my parents but it didn't mean my heart couldn't grow to accept new family.
Now I loved Christmas time. I loved us all going to Aubrey's mom's house to celebrate. Doing gingerbread houses, going to the Christmas festival, spending all of Christmas morning opening presents and just having fun. It was honestly the best time of year.
"Trust me you're about to see what all the excitement is about. Aubrey's mom knows how to do Christmas."
"Should I be concerned?"
I softly shoved his shoulder.
"No. So we have a gingerbread house contest, probably tonight, which is a lot of fun. Although Knox and Aubrey have won the last three years." I rolled my eyes at that.
"Then Christmas eve we go to the festival during the day. We go sledding and ice skating. Then when we get home we all get matching PJ's to wear." I smiled at the memories of past Christmas's.
"Wow you do go all out."
"What do you usually do for Christmas?" I asked, curious as to where he disappears to.
"Nothing." Logan said with a shrug. He said it like it wasn't a big deal at all.
"Nothing?" I echoed.
"Growing up we didn't have much." I glanced over at him to see his jaw was clenched tightly and he looked uncomfortable talking.
We? Who's we?
"When we got older we stopped celebrating it." The thought of Logan not celebrating Christmas made my chest hurt; especially as a little kid. Every kid deserved to do something.
"Well we are going to change that." I vowed. I was going to make this Christmas his favorite one.