Chapter 48 I love you
Ava’s POV
I stormed down the boardwalk, the heat of the sun nothing compared to the burn inside my chest.
What the hell just happened?
Who just shows up like that? Ex-girlfriend or not, Serena's presence felt like a glitch in our perfect little bubble and I hated how shaken I felt. I hated that I even doubted Logan, even for a second.
“Ava!”
His voice.
Of course.
I picked up my pace, but seconds later, I heard his bare feet slapping against the wood.
“Ava, wait!”
I spun around. “Logan, seriously, don’t…”
He didn’t stop. He reached me in three long strides and grabbed my wrist, gently but firmly. “Please, just stop running for one second.”
I yanked my hand back, not because I didn’t want him to hold me but because I wanted him to work for it. “She said this was your spot.”
He exhaled, looking frustrated. “It was. Years ago. Before I ever met you. We came here once. That’s it.”
“And now she just magically shows up while we’re here and calls it a coincidence?”
“I didn’t ask her to come! I haven’t spoken to Serena in forever. She’s trying to stir crap because she sees I’m happy and I am Ava. With you.”
“I just…” I looked away. “I saw the way she looked at you. Like she still had some kind of hold.”
“She doesn’t,” he said firmly. “She never did. Not like you.”
I turned back, eyes wide. “Logan…”
“I’m not perfect,” he said, stepping closer. “But I know one thing, and it’s that I’ve never felt about anyone the way I feel about you. Not even close.”
His voice dropped, feeling vulnerable and real.
“I love you, Ava.”
Time froze,the breeze still. My heart stilled. Everything… stopped.
“I love how you argue with me. I love how you overthink everything, and I love how your eyes light up when you talk about the future even when you pretend you don’t care. I love waking up next to you, and I love being the reason your cheeks turn red when someone teases us. I love you.”
I couldn’t hold it back anymore.
“I love you too,” I whispered, the words came out, raw and unfiltered. “I was scared to say it, because I didn’t want to fall too hard. But I did. I already did.”
Logan didn’t waste a second. He closed the space between us and cupped my face like I was made of glass, then kissed me slowly, deep, and full of everything we hadn’t said until now.
When we pulled back, breathless, he leaned his forehead against mine.
“I’m yours, Ava. No one else.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him close again. “Good. Because I don’t plan on letting go.”
By the time we got back to the suite, my hand was still firmly in Logan’s. He kept glancing over at me like he couldn’t quite believe I was still there. And honestly… I kept doing the same.
Because now we’d said it.
The words.
I love you.
And somehow, everything felt lighter like the weight we’d both been carrying had finally melted into something warm and safe.
He opened the door, then tugged me inside and closed it softly behind us.
“Now that you’re officially mine,” he said, pulling me close by the waist, “can we have one of those movie moments where we just lie in bed, ignore the world outside, and cuddle all day?”
I grinned. “You want a cuddle marathon?”
He nodded like a kid begging for ice cream. “With snacks. And forehead kisses. And at least three rounds of me telling you how gorgeous you are until you believe it.”
I laughed. “That sounds dangerously perfect.”
“Exactly what I’m going for.”
He flopped onto the bed, arms wide open like he was waiting for a flying hug. I raised a brow.
“Seriously?”
“Come on, Ava. You just told me you love me. I need at least ten hours of physical affection to process it.”
Rolling my eyes, I crawled into his arms, letting my head rest on his chest as he pulled the blankets over us like a cocoon.
“You know,” I murmured, tracing random patterns on his shirt, “you really drive me insane sometimes.”
He kissed the top of my head. “I know.”
“But I still love you.”
He smirked. “I’m your favorite headache.”
I poked his ribs. “Don’t push it.”
We lay there in silence for a while, our breathing syncing like we were one heartbeat. Then Logan shifted and grabbed something from the nightstand. A small velvet pouch.
“Wait… what’s that?”
He sat up, grinning. “Okay, it’s not a ring, don’t freak out but I did buy you something.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You’re giving me a gift after all that drama?”
“Think of it as a peace offering. Or a pre-apology for all the future arguments we’ll have.”
I opened the pouch slowly and inside was a tiny silver necklace, delicate and simple, with a little sun charm.
“Because you’re my sunshine,” he said softly. “Even when you’re dramatic and stormy.”
My throat tightened. “Logan…”
He fastened it around my neck, then leaned in. “Perfect.”
I turned and kissed him again, gentle this time. A promise, not just passion.
“Okay,” I whispered, curling back into him. “You win. Cuddles, snacks, and all.”
He pulled me close with a sleepy smile. “Best. Day. Ever.”
Minutes later, we were kissing.
No, devouring each other would be more accurate.
Clothes were becoming a long forgotten memory, tossed somewhere between the foot of the bed and Logan’s impatient hands.
His mouth was on my neck, and I swear I lost all coherent thought the second his fingers hooked into the waistband of my shorts.
“I’ve missed this,” he murmured against my skin.
I barely had time to respond before he lifted me, walking us toward the bed without breaking the kiss. My hands tugged at his shirt, and he grinned, helping me pull it over his head.
Things were getting steamy really, really steamy.
And then….
BANG!
The door flew open.
“WE’RE BACK…OH MY GOD!” Charlotte’s voice shrieked like she’d just witnessed a crime scene.
“BRO—BRO WHAT THE HELL?!” Tristan’s voice followed, eyes wide and shielding his face like he’d just seen a horror movie instead of my half-naked self tangled up with Logan.
“GET OUT!” I screamed, grabbing the closest pillow to cover myself while Logan practically dove in front of me like a human shield.
Charlotte turned around so fast she almost collided with the wall. “I didn’t know you guys would be reenacting Bridgerton here! Ava! It's still early for this”
“Privacy! Ever heard of knocking?!” Logan shouted, clearly torn between embarrassment and wanting to throw something at them.
Tristan had his hands up like he was surrendering to the police. “In my defense, you two left the door unlocked and—WHY ARE YOUR SHORTS ACROSS THE ROOM?!”
“I WILL KILL YOU!” I yelled, launching another pillow.
They scrambled out, Charlotte still laughing and Tristan mumbling something about needing therapy.
The door slammed shut.
Silence.
Then…
Logan started laughing.
And not just a little laugh, a full, head-thrown-back, tears-in-his-eyes kind of laugh.
“I’m glad you think this is hilarious,” I muttered, still clutching the blanket around me.
“They’re gonna be traumatized,” he chuckled, wiping his eyes.
“We are never living this down.”
He turned to me with that smug grin I loved and hated. “Or maybe we just gave them another reason to knock next time.”
I shook my head, but couldn’t stop smiling. “You’re the worst.”
He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my nose. “And yet… you love me.”
“Unfortunately.”