Chapter 58 Owns my heart
~Ava pov~
If someone in the past had told me that I’d be going to the mall like a normal girl with a boyfriend who treated me like I hung the moon I would’ve laughed until I cried.
But here I was. Saturday afternoon. Wearing real jeans. Not Logan’s shirt. And for once, my mascara wasn’t waterproof because I wasn’t expecting to cry today.
How life changes.
“You need new shoes,” Charlotte declared, arms crossed as we stood outside one of those fancy stores with mannequins.
I blinked. “I have shoes.”
She gave me a long, questioning look.
“You have Logan’s slides and four pair of combat boots that look like they fought in two wars.”
“…Excuse you! It's fashion”
“They’re tragic.”
I sighed. “Fine. But I’m not spending more than…”
“Girl, hush. Tristan’s paying.”
I stared at her. “What? Why would he pay for me?”
She grinned, wicked and proud. “ Okay it was Logan, that said that.It was his idea. ‘Get Ava some proper shoes so she doesn’t show up to your birthday dinner looking like an ancient soldier.’ His words. Not mine.”
I rolled my eyes, laughing. “Wow. The romance.”
We wandered store to store, Charlotte dragging me everywhere like she was on a mission. I tried on at least six pairs of sneakers and two heels before we settled on a pair of white platform boots.
Charlotte gasped. “Okay, if Logan doesn’t pass out when he sees you in those, I will.”
“ you're exaggerating.should I walk out in slow motion?”
“I’ll start the dramatic music.”
We were giggling like idiots . After everything that happened with my family,I never expected to laugh anytime soon but I was glad Charlotte made my day.
my phone buzzed.
Logan: Practice is over. Tristan’s hangry. We’re coming to save you from Charlotte.
Me: Good. Charlotte’s trying to get me into a crop top section. Send help.
Logan: You’re wearing it. I believe in you. Princess of Chaos.
Me: If you call me that in public, I’m breaking up with you.
Logan: Fair.
I turned to Charlotte. “They’re on their way.”
“Good. I’m starving. I’ve burned more calories shopping than Tristan did in practice.”
We made our way to the food court and grabbed fries, just as Logan and Tristan showed up both sweaty, both looking like Greek gods who’d wrestled a hundred linebackers, and both clearly not used to shopping centers.
Logan spotted me and froze.
“Oh no,” I muttered, mouth full of fries. “He’s staring.”
Charlotte smirked. “Told you the boots would do it.”
He walked over, his gaze dropping to my shoes, then dragging back up to meet my eyes. “You’re trying to kill me.”
“Is it working?”
“Extremely.”
Tristan swooped in and wrapped his arms around Charlotte like a giant golden retriever.
“Babe. I’m dying. I need food. And you. But mostly chicken.”
She shoved a fry in his mouth. “You’re so dramatic.”
Logan slipped onto the bench beside me, grabbing a fry and kissing my cheek like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I was used to it now.
“You okay?” he asked softly.
I nodded,my heart flipping like crazy. “Better now.”
“You sure?”
I held up my boot. “I have mall powers now. Nothing can stop me.”
He grinned. “Except escalators. You almost died on one earlier.”
“I tripped one time, Logan.”
“I caught you.”
He leaned in, laughing. “I love you.”
I blinked.
“What?”
“I said I love you.” He looked confused, like it was the most obvious thing ever.
Charlotte gasped. “Oh my god. He just said the L-word.”
Tristan choked on his soda. “Bro, are we doing that now?”
Logan didn’t even blink. He just looked at me.
And just like that, I forgot about the past, about pain, about judgmental dads and stepsisters with snake souls.
“I love you too,” I whispered.
He grinned like he won the Super Bowl.
Charlotte fake sniffled. “Our babies are growing up. I'm so proud of you right now!"
Tristan leaned back. “Can we get ice cream now or are we having a group emotional time?”
Charlotte threw a fry at him.
“Can't you wait? You're just ruined our time”.
He laughed and reached behind his back, pulling out a small black box. “Got you something.”
I blinked. “You bought me something? again?"
He opened it to reveal a delicate silver bracelet with a tiny heart charm.
“For the girl who owns mine,” he said with that crooked grin.
I melted right there in the food court.
Charlotte made gagging noises. “You two are disgustingly cute."
Tristan added, “We get it, Logan. You’ve set the boyfriend bar way too high. I don't think anyone can reach that level of yours buddy"
Logan slung an arm around my shoulders. “Jealousy’s a disease Tristan. Get well soon.”
We hit three more stores after that Charlotte bought shoes, I bought matching socks, and Logan somehow ended up carrying all the bags.
“I swear I had biceps before this trip,” he said, arms full.
“Still do,” I said with a smirk. “But now they’re accessorized.”
As we walked to the parking lot, Charlotte linked her arm through mine.
“You laughed today,” she whispered.
I looked at her. “Yeah… I did. it's because of you".
And for the first time in a long time, I meant it. I just came to realize how my life has been so much better after Logan came to my life.