Hypothetical Heart (Farewell Fairwood #2)

Chapter 24

24

H ours after we walked across the stage at graduation, Genevieve, Eloise, and I are still sitting in the living room of the Callaghan house.

Jameson and Genevieve were able to give their valedictorian speech, where Jameson bowed out of the position in order to give Genevieve the spotlight. I’ve always had a good feeling Jameson loved my best friend, but I am sure now that he is going to love her until the end of time. There are only a few people selfless enough to step down from valedictorian so their girlfriend will get the recognition they deserve, and Jameson is one of them.

The boys were also here earlier, but they just left. We made them go to the store and get stuff to make s’mores outside on the fire, and by the time they made it out of the driveway, Genevieve and Eloise had already started begging me for details.

“You can’t say nothing is going on between the two of you,” Eloise says, placing her chin on her hands with her elbows propped on her knees, giving me her full attention.

I shrug. “I don’t know how to read him.”

“Impossible,” Genevieve scoffs. “You know you can read him because I can read him like a book.”

“He’s in love with you,” Eloise says plainly.

I don’t deny the fact because I have no idea if it’s true or not, despite how much I want it to be.

“Can I ask you something?” I direct the questions toward Genevieve.

She nods. “Of course.”

“How did you know Jameson was the one?”

It’s a difficult question—one that a lot of people don’t know how to answer—because everyone’s gut answer is to say, you just know. That’s not good enough for me, and if anyone could find a more satisfying answer, it’s Genevieve.

“Honestly, this might sound creepy, but I’m just going to tell you…” She pauses, collecting her thoughts like she often does. “I always kind of ignored it, but I realized how my dad not being around really affected me. And when I knew I was falling for Jameson, the first thing I imagined was what kind of dad he would be to our kids because some men—like my dad—make great boyfriends and husbands but not as great of fathers, and the man my husband is to our kids has become increasingly important to me.”

It’s never been a surprise to anyone—other than the people who think she’s cold and unfeeling—that Genevieve wants kids. Her entire life, she’s been a nurturer, always being the first person to help, wanting to give advice and be there for the people she loves most. It makes sense she would be able to give what her mom couldn’t give to her, to her own kids. It makes sense she would be drawn to someone who gives her everything no man in her life ever has.

“How’d you know Jameson would be a good dad?” I ask.

Eloise laughs. “Have you met him?”

Eloise’s confirmation of Jameson’s ability only makes Genevieve smile. “I imagined him doing all the things my dad never did,” she says. “After Jameson took care of me when I fell in the stairwell of the ski trip, I knew that’s just who he is. I could vividly picture him taking care of our kids or checking under our daughter’s bed for monsters, dressing up in tutus with them, and letting them put makeup on him. I know he’d treat our kids the same way he treats me, with the utmost respect. That’s how I knew.”

Tears threaten to brim my eyes, thinking about Logan in that light.

“Can I give you my very best advice when it comes to you and Logan?” Genevieve asks, reaching from her chair to place a hand on my knee. The sincerity in her eyes alone makes me know she’s taking this as seriously as I need her to.

I nod. “I need it.”

“You and Logan aren’t together because it didn’t work the first time, even though we all know that if it wasn’t for your mom dying, the two of you would probably still be together,” she tells me, giving me a moment to digest the facts she’s giving me. “You and Logan shouldn’t be waiting for anything because if you keep waiting for what you think is the perfect time, there is never going to be a perfect time. The only reason you haven’t gotten with him now is because you’re scared of it ending again.”

It’s what I’ve known all along, but hearing it out loud from someone else sounds so stupid. The reason we’re not together is because we’re scared of how it ends, and to me, all that proves is that we have something worth losing.

“You’ve said it before, the only way love ends is either with heartbreak or death.” Genevieve grabs my hand strongly, like she really wants me to listen to what she’s going to say next. “But what about everything in between?”

Eloise nods, the sympathy much more palpable in her face than Genevieve’s. “You’re only ever thinking about one extreme or another, but you’re forgetting there’s so much happiness in between.”

“You and Logan have something good, Winnie, something you shouldn’t be afraid of. Whether it ends or not doesn’t matter because you can never guarantee a good outcome, but you can be happy for now, and that’s what matters,” Genevieve adds.

Happiness in between . It’s the one thing I’ve never considered when thinking about the end of Logan and I—everything that happens in between.

“You’re right.” I nod strongly, sitting straighter in my chair at first, but then the realization makes me slouch again. “But… what do I do about it?”

Genevieve and Eloise exchange a look, one that says, Gosh, could this girl be more clueless?

“I think I’m going to wait for him to make a move,” I tell them before they can say anything.

“Are you sure?” Genevieve asks.

“I mean, he will eventually,” Eloise says at the same time.

“He’s more assured than I am. It would be too forced if it were me,” I admit. I’ve never been good at making my feelings known, especially when it comes to Logan. He’s just better at reading people and understanding situations.

While I would fumble over my words and ruin any type of moment, Logan has a cool, calm, and collected nature about him that makes the situation sound much more appealing.

“Let me ask you this,” Genevieve says, standing. “Is he what you want? Is he the type of guy you imagine marrying?”

I tell her the truth, “I’ve imagined everything with him.”

There isn’t a single time where I’ve thought about my future and Logan wasn’t a part of the imagination.

“Well, then, I guess we’re waiting,” she concludes with her hands on her hips.

Eloise sighs. “In the meantime, can we at least fuck with him a little bit?” she asks like she’s chomping at the bit.

“Oh God,” I mutter.

Genevieve smiles. “I think it’s a great idea.”

T he next week after graduation, Genevieve and Eloise spend their time scheming ways to subtly push Logan into making a move. Every new text I get from the two of them is some new way to get me out of my comfort zone.

Turns out, these girls are absolutely ruthless, but I can’t say I expected anything less.

I look down at the current chain of texts.

ELOISE

Okay new plan. You send Logan pictures of you in a dressing room trying on bikinis, and then pretend they were meant for someone else.

GENEVIEVE

If you’re going to do that, you might as well make it lingerie.

ELOISE

Nobody our age wears actual lingerie

GENEVIEVE

…

ME

There are some things friends just don’t need to know about each other.

ELOISE

Honestly, I can’t say I’m surprised, you wise soul.

GENEVIEVE

Okay, enough talk about me and lingerie.

ELOISE

Winnie, what do you want to do?

ME

I’m just following the leader.

Within a minute, my phone is ringing with a call. “Got tired of texting?” I answer.

“This is easier,” Genevieve says, her faraway voice making it sound like she’s driving and her phone is connected to her car speaker.

“Winnie, how far are you really willing to go here?” Eloise asks.

I think about it for a moment. In all likelihood, I would do just about anything to be with Logan, but in this situation, I don’t want to go too extreme with my plans to rile him. Mainly because I still want to be true to myself, but also because if he catches on, our plan is ruined.

“How about we leave half-nude photos out of the agenda,” I suggest.

Their silence is agreement enough for me.

For the next bit of time, Genevieve and Eloise concoct a new plan, one that everyone feels good about–even I’m smiling by the end of our phone call.

It’s a bit later now, nearing nine o’clock, and for this to work, we need to put it into action now.

So, while Genevieve and Eloise are on their way over, I start getting ready. Their instructions: look hotter than you ever have before.

Once they arrive, I have my hair curled and my makeup done to the greatest of my ability. I’m about ready to squeeze into the skin-tight dress the girls picked out for me.

“Oh,” Eloise says, stopping me from entering the bathroom and pushing a bag into my arms. “You’re also going to want this.”

“What–”

“Trust us,” Genevieve interjects, shutting the bathroom door so I can change.

I open the bag and pull out whatever it is they think I need so badly, and I almost cringe when I see a small nude push-up bra. “What the hell is this?” I yell through the door.

“Just trust us. You’re going to look great!” Eloise replies.

I look down at the tag, seeing it’s the exact size I wear. “How did you even know my bra size?”

“Call it an educated guess,” Genevieve says.

I let out a huff, looking down at the padded contraption that is unlike anything I’ve owned before. Ripping off the tags, I begrudgingly put it on before slipping into the dress itself, and when I look in the mirror, I can’t help the gasp that escapes.

“My boobs are up to my neck!” I exclaim as I fling the bathroom door open, motioning toward my chest.

Eloise and Genevieve both take one look at me and burst out laughing.

“Winnie, it doesn’t matter how good the push-up bra is. You don’t have enough boob for them to ever reach your neck,” Genevieve tells me through bouts of laughter.

“This isn’t funny, I look crazy,” I sigh.

“Yeah, crazy hot,” Eloise says.

I step in front of the full-length mirror on my wall, pulling at the bottom hem of the dress, but of course, that only makes the neckline plunge further. It takes me a few minutes to get used to the image reflecting back at me and the fact that I actually have cleavage for once.

“This isn’t too much?” I turn back toward my friends, silently asking for their honest opinion.

“It’s exactly what we’re going for,” Genevieve reminds me.

“Okay,” I say, trying to reassure myself more than anything. The whole point of this is to be confident.

The girls each take turns in the bathroom, getting themselves ready for the night ahead of us.

“I think you need to make the call,” Eloise tells me, looking down at her watch. “It’s almost ten.”

Anxiety bubbles in my stomach, but I ignore it, picking up my phone and clicking Logan’s contact. The FaceTime rings twice before the call connects.

“Hey, what’s up?” He answers, and from the dim lightingand the position of the camera, I can tell he’s lying in bed.

I look away from my phone and toward Genevieve. A sudden wave of doubt creeps over me, and I’m not sure I want to do this anymore.

“Winnie?” Logan’s confused voice comes through the speaker, and the girls both wave me on.

Well, I’ve already come this far. There’s no going back now. “Hey, I was just wondering if you could help me with my outfit.”

My camera is facing the ceiling, making it so he’s unable to see any part of my current ensemble.

“For what?”

“I’m going to a party with Eloise and Evie tonight.” I do my best to sound as casual as possible.

Logan’s eyes flash with something dark–almost possessive– and for a moment, I wonder if he’s going to come through the screen just to make sure no one else sees me like this.

A look of hurt flashes across his face, and I know he’s wondering why he wasn’t invited. “Sure, let’s see what you’ve got.”

“Okay, this is the first option,” I say, propping my phone up on my dresser.

“No,” he instantly responds. “Absolutely not.”

“What? Why?” I act confused, looking down at the dress, leaning further over, purposely exposing more cleavage.

He chokes on a cough, and I have to hold back a laugh because who knew Logan was this attracted to me?

Genevieve and Eloise would say everyone except me.

“If you’re going out dressed like that, I’m fucking coming with you.” There’s something in his voice, an intensity that makes my pulse race. This isn’t just Logan being protective–it’s him needing to be the one to go with me.

I watch him through the screen sit up in his bed, looking into his phone as if he’s trying to gauge whether or not I’m real.

“What do you mean?”

I see Eloise in the corner of my room, pumping her fist in victory. This is unraveling exactly how we had planned.

“Come stand in front of your window.” He stands, walking across his room. I do the same. “Now look me in the face and tell me you’re seriously thinking of going to a party wearing that.”

Mustering every ounce of courage to lock eyes with him. “I don’t see anything wrong with it.”

“I don’t either. I think you look good.” His change in demeanor stuns me momentarily before he adds, “Too good to go anywhere by yourself.”

“I’m going with Eloise and Evie.”

“Yeah, and when they get drunk, they will be no help fending off creeps.”

“Woah, woah.” He has shifted the entire narrative. “What are you suggesting is going to happen?”

“There are horrible guys out there, Winnie, and I can’t with good conscience let you go to a party by yourself.”

“Just because of what I’m wearing?” I appreciate his concern, but the way he’s making it seem like guys will only want me because I’m dressed like this is starting to hurt my feelings.

“Have I ever let you go to a party by yourself?” He doesn’t even wait for my answer because he already knows it. “No. I’m not starting now. I’ll meet you in the car.” Then he hangs up the phone.

I think Genevieve, Eloise, and I all have our jaws on the floor, not knowing quite what to do. I don’t think any of us have seen him that close to bursting a blood vessel before.

“Oh, he’s so obsessed with you!” Genevieve laughs.

“Well, I guess we’re going to a party.”

“I have a bad feeling about this,” I say, and the slight guilt I felt earlier comes back tenfold.

“It’s going to be fine,” Genevieve reassures me. “Just enjoy yourself because watching Logan be your bodyguard all night is going to be the best thing I’ve witnessed in a while.”

What have I done?

“ A re you ready to leave yet?” Logan whispers in my ear after fending off the fifth guy to approach me tonight.

Turns out, this was a bad idea.

I knew it from the moment I stepped in the door when I caught about twelve different guys staring at me, and Logan moved from where he was standing at my side to protectively in front of me.

The rest of the night he spent with his hand splayed largely across my bare lower back, and hiseyes haven't left me all night. He’s watched every move I’ve made, every guy who has tried to approach me. It’s like he can’t help himself, like being this close to me isn’t enough.

“I think so,” I tell him, glancing around the room to see if I can spot Genevieve and Eloise. I’m more annoyed than ever, and on top of that, I can’t even get a drink because every time I try, a new man approaches me.

“This is why I didn’t want you coming alone,” he says over the music. “It’s not that I don’t trust you. I just don’t want you to be put in difficult situations where telling a guy no could be dangerous.”

He’s right, so many piss-drunk men have come up to me, and it’s hard to know how they would react to me rejecting them if Logan wasn’t here. Good thing the plan was to have him with me all along.

“Let’s find Gen and Eloise so we can get out of here.” Logan places his hand on the small of my back, guiding me through the massive crowd toward the dance floor.

When we find the girls, they are both drunk and surprisingly, that makes it easier for us to convince them it’s time to leave.

We make it back to the house without anyone throwing up, which is a chore within itself, and by the time we pull into Logan’s driveway, Jameson is already on the porch, ready to take his girlfriend upstairs.

“Will you take care of me?” Genevieve asks drunkenly, her head lulling every which way as Jameson wraps her in his arms.

“Yes, love,” he says quietly, carrying her up the stairs toward his bedroom.

“Are you going to marry me?” she slurs, making Jameson laugh.

“Not tonight.”

“One day?”

“One day,” he confirms, making my heart soar. I know Genevieve might not remember this, but I will always remember all the times Jameson has made it so apparent how much he loves my best friend.

Meanwhile, Logan is trying to get Eloise up the steps of the porch while she argues with him about how it is unethical to take away somebody’s vodka. Thank God Logan’s parents are away, and his little sister is at a friend’s house.

“Maybe we should have thought this through a little better,” I sigh.

Logan shrugs like it’s no big deal. “I’m going to put her in the guest bedroom.”

When he comes back down the stairs, I’m near tears, but I wipe them away before he gets into the kitchen.

“I’m sorry about tonight,” I tell him.

He takes a seat at the barstool next to me. “That’s okay, I’m glad I went with you.”

“You were practically my bodyguard.”

“And I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He smiles.

Logan Callaghan is overwhelmingly good, and tonight only goes to prove that once again.