Logan
I sit in my home office trying to work on ideas for a new club, and I realize the only thing I’m doing is trying to block Skyler from my mind. Why, I don’t know. I love her, I know I do, but I don’t know how to fix what I’ve done. I’ve been debating texting her all night, but Mikey said I needed to let her cool down, and I’m not sure how long that takes.
I don’t even know what to do about work tonight. I keep playing over in my head the events of last night and what Jonah said to me when I got back: “Dude, you fucked this up. You need to fix it. For the first time she has let someone in and you hurt her.” He even told me Sadie texted him that she was at their house a mess over what I did. My phone pings and I check it; it’s a text from Jonah.
Jonah: Skyler plans on working tonight, what are you going to do?
Logan: Fuck! I figured she would call out.
Jonah: Nope wants to prove to everyone that she won’t run because you two had a fight. She’s even going shopping for clothes so she’ll have something to wear.
I pick up the phone and call Tony. “Hey, man, Skyler is leaving her friend Sadie’s to go shopping. Make sure to keep your distance but follow her.”
“You got it.”
Logan: Sky hates shopping.
Jonah: I know.
Logan: How do I fix this?
Jonah: The hell if I know. I think you need to start by figuring out why you were so mad and then talking to her about it.
I take a deep breath while I try to figure out how to respond. I know why I freaked. Can I tell her what happened with Lindsey? And will it make it worse that I basically compared her to my ex without even meaning to?
Logan: I’ll talk to her tonight.
Jonah: Don’t piss her off before her shift. We don’t need her running out tonight.
Logan: Good point. Talk to you later.
I text her next to see if we can talk tonight after our shift. I need to fix things with her or it’s going to be a long healing process. It has only been one night and I’m exhausted because I couldn’t sleep without her in my bed.
Logan: Can we talk after work tonight?
Her response is immediate.
Skyler: I don’t know. Heading out with Sadie right now to drop off the Porsche and pick up my car.
Logan: That is your car. Please don’t do this. I know I fucked up and I want to fix it.
Skyler: Well texting me isn’t going to fix it and I don’t want the car. I’m not with you for your money, I was with you because I love you and I thought you loved me.
Logan: I do love you, which is why I want to apologize and fix this.
Skyler: I’m not sure how you plan on fixing this but trust is a deal breaker. Figure out whether you trust me or not and call me when you do.
She’s right. I have to trust her, and I thought I did right up until I saw her dancing with Mikey. I try to shake it off and go back to looking at more locations for another club. At least if I open another club, I can work out of the other one while I figure things out with Skyler.
My agent sends me three different locations to look at for potential clubs. One is a club that is struggling and looking to be taken over, and the other two are abandoned buildings that would need to be constructed into clubs and given new identities and need a lot of promoting. I email the agent and tell her I want to see all three as soon as possible.
The good thing is I can work on all of this stuff from outside of the club, so if I need to stay out of the club for the night I can and then see her tomorrow, or maybe she’ll come over with Jonah and Sadie for dinner on Monday.
My email pings and it’s the agent.
Can show you the abandoned ones whenever you want and I’ll work on an appointment for the other one.
I send her a message back telling her to meet me at the first one in one hour.
I run upstairs and quickly shower and dress. I’m out the door in thirty minutes and on my way to the first location. While I drive there, I tell myself this is what I need, a project to work on so I can clear my head. I know Sky loves me and isn’t Lindsey. Now I have to figure out how to stop myself from overreacting. Maybe if I tell her what happened she’ll understand and we can move past this. I turn up the radio, and I instantly think of Skyler and her singing, so I shut it off. A few minutes later I pull up to the first location. I jump out of the car when I see Ally waiting for me by the door. She punches in the code number on the lock box so she can pull out the key.
“Hey, Logan, good to see you!”
“Hey, Ally, good to see you too.”
“Is the club doing that well you're ready to buy again already? I didn’t think we would be doing this for about two years.”
“The club is doing amazingly well, and if I want to be ready to expand, I need to start looking. It took me a while to find the perfect location last time.”
“Yeah, it can be hard sometimes. This one isn’t in the best location, but the area is on the rise, and a good club could be what it needs to help push it along.”
“I’m not too sure I’m happy about this location. It’s in the middle of nowhere.”
“There are ups and downs to that, and you know that as well as I do.”
I walk into the building. It’s a good thing it’s daylight or you wouldn’t be able to see a thing in here. There is no electricity and the place is one big empty room. I walk through looking around to see if the place would work, and to be honest it isn’t a bad set up. I could make the VIP rooms up above like at Thrive to give them a connected feel but probably only have room for one bar as opposed to two. There could be a small catwalk for the ladies opposite the VIP section which would give the guys a show.
“Okay, I’ve seen enough. Let’s move to the next location.” I get into my car and head in the direction of the next building. I pull up and wait for Ally because I left without her. I know I’m being a dick, but I’m in a shitty mood. There’s only one person who can improve my mood and she won’t talk to me.
Ally pulls up, and I get out of my car to follow her to the entrance. She unlocks it, and it’s worse than the first one. “Come on, Ally, this place is a piece of shit.”
“It’s in a great location and you can expand on it. There is plenty of room around it.”
“If I’m going to expand, I might as well knock the thing down and start over. There is no room to do anything here. Call me when you find something for real or when you get me an appointment to check out that other club.”
I shake my head and walk out. I head to the florist to send Skyler some flowers before she gets to work tonight. When I pull in, I ask the girl if she can deliver two dozen red roses to Jonah’s address by 5:30. I pay for the flowers and pick a card to write her a note.
Skyler,
I’m sorry I was a fool! I do trust you and want to be with you. Please help me figure this out.
Love,
Logan
I hand the woman the card, and she shakes her head. “I see more apologies written on these little cards than you can imagine. If you want to fix things take the flowers to her yourself. Don’t have them delivered. You need to talk to her.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that to me? I want to talk to her. She’s the one who said she isn’t sure if she’s ready yet.”
“If you deliver them, she has no choice but to listen, right?”
I shake my head. “Who am I kidding? She isn’t going to care if I have flowers delivered. I bought her a damn Porsche that she dropped back off at my house. What the hell are flowers going to do?”
“Baby, want to start out fresh? You can buy me a Porsche.”
I laugh at her bluntness.
“I’ll deliver your flowers,” she says, “but you’re right, they’re not going to fix your problem. I’m willing to bet you know what you have to do, so how about you do it and get your girl back? If she’s willing to give back a Porsche, I bet she’s worth keeping around.”
“You have no idea.”
***
Skyler
“I can’t believe you’re giving up the Porsche. Why don’t you drive it? You know you want to,” Sadie whines.
“Because maybe he’ll realize that I’m not with him for his money or whatever his issue is, and we’ll be able to get past this problem. If I continue to drive it, then it looks like I only wanted him for his money and that’s not the case.”
I pull up to the valet and ask him to bring my Honda around. He looks at me like I have ten heads and says, “Yes, ma’am.”
“Miss Jones!” Greg calls.
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to intrude, but I overheard Mr. Michaels talking last night about your situation and, well, I want you to know he’s a good man. He has lived here a long time and has been through a lot. You have made a very positive impact in his life. I hope you two can work it out.”
“That’s sweet, Greg, thank you. I hope we can work it out too.”
“I’m sorry if I overstepped. I don’t usually get involved. I wanted you to know he was a bit of a mess both last night and when I saw him leave earlier today.”
“Do you have any idea where he went?”
“No, he just called down for his car and took off.”
The valet comes around with my Honda.
“Thank you for the information, Greg. I’m sure we’ll work things out.”
He nods and heads back to his spot at the door, smiling. He knows exactly what I’m doing. Sadie and I climb into my car and head off to shop. Since I don’t have Logan’s money and refuse to go back to the expensive ass stores on Rodeo Drive, we head over to the Fashion District to do a little shopping and grab some lunch.
“Shop first then lunch!” Sadie says as I pull up and park.
I find a pair of skinny jeans, and I need a top and some boots to wear for tonight.
Sadie pulls me into one of the stores. “There is a super cute gray top over there that would look great on you and then you can buy black boots.”
“That’s cute. It’s off the shoulder though, so I’ll have to get a tank top to put under it.” I find it in a medium and head over to a table where they have a bunch of tank tops, and I choose one in black. “Now to find some boots.”
Sadie links her arm through mine, and we head off to the shoe store.
“Do you think he’s as miserable as I am?” I ask my best friend. “I’m having fun with you but I’m dying on the inside.”
She smiles and shakes her head. “I’m pretty confident he’s as miserable as you are and probably out doing the same thing you are, and that’s trying to figure out what to do.”
I try to hold my tears back and I’m struggling. My fun lasted for all of thirty minutes.
Sadie and I walk into the shoe store. I find a pair of boots, but I’m no longer as excited because I can’t help but wonder what Logan is doing.
We head to get some lunch, and as soon as we sit down my phone pings.
Logan: I can’t even listen to music without thinking about you.
A tear slides down my cheek.
“What’s wrong, Sky?” Sadie asks.
I show her my phone. “I need him, but he also needs to know he hurt me. He can’t do this to me ever again because if he does I’m done. I need him to trust me and if he can’t then we have no relationship.”
Skyler: I’m thinking about you too :-(
Logan: Will you come home and talk to me tonight?
Skyler: I don’t know. Have you decided if you trust me or not?
Logan: You’ll see as soon as you get to Sadie’s.
I smile and wonder what he did.
“You went from sad to smiling real quick.”
“He asked me to come home and talk tonight, and I asked him if he decided if he could trust me and his response was, ‘You’ll see when you get back to Sadie’s place.’ Now I want to get back to see what he did.”
She bursts out laughing. “You need to eat before work, and at this point you’ll have enough time to eat and then shower before you have to head to work. Our lunch has turned into more of an early dinner.”
“You're right. I haven't eaten all day.” We are at a little cafe and the menu options are perfect because they are quick, filling options and I’ll be able to get back to Sadie’s to see what Logan did. Jonah is home so I’m wondering if he helped him pull something off. I’m bouncing my leg under the table from the suspense. Anxious to see Logan, I eat quickly.
“Girl, if you don’t stop fidgeting, you’re going to knock this entire table over.”
“I’m sorry. I told Logan I don’t like surprises, and now I have no idea what he’s up to.”
“Okay, okay, let’s get out of here so you can find out what’s going on.”
I laugh because I know it’s killing her too. As we leave, her phone pings and she grins. “It’s Jonah,” she says as she replies to his text.
We walk the short distance back to my car. We put my bags in the back seat and we both climb in. My phone pings next.
Logan: Where are you?
Skyler: Leaving the fashion district why?
Logan: Just curious xoxo.
“He’s up to no good!” I say as I drive off toward Sadie’s house.
“Why do you say that?” Sadie asks, and even her voice sounds suspicious now.
“Because first Jonah texts you and then Logan texts me. That doesn’t seem suspicious to you?”
She shrugs and stares straight ahead.
***
Logan
The florist is right; actions speak louder than words, and flowers with a cheesy apology won’t mean shit to Skyler. It’s time to go big or go home alone. I text Jonah.
Logan: Hey, can I recruit your help?
Jonah: Is it to get Skyler back?
Logan: Of course.
Jonah: Then I’m in! How can I help?
Logan: I need to use your house since they are going back there. I’ll be there soon. I have to make a quick stop.
Jonah: See you soon.
I head to a jewelry store to pick out a ring for Skyler. When I walk in, I tell the jeweler exactly what I want. He shows me what he has; I pick one out, pay for it, and run out the door. I have to be quick because I know Skyler won’t be gone long. My next stop is back to the florist. I walk in, and the same woman is behind the counter.
“So you were right,” I say. “I need to change my order and I’ll take the original two dozen with me. I need loose rose petals too. Can you do that?”
“Absolutely. What are you planning, if you don’t mind me asking?” she asks, full of excitement.
“I bought a promise ring, and I want rose petals going up the stairs, and then I’ll have the two dozen roses for her when I give her the ring. Do you think that’s better?”
“As long as you explain yourself, I think it’ll be perfect. It’s definitely better than sending her flowers.” She heads out back to get the rose petals, and when she comes back she hands me my two dozen roses along with petals. “The petals are on me. Good luck, sweetie.”
I grin widely. “I promise you much more business in the future.”
She laughs as I head toward the door. “Go get your girl!”
I run out feeling much better about what I’m doing. I race over to Jonah’s house and park up the street so Skyler won’t spot my car. I run to the house and ring the buzzer.
Jonah buzzes me in. As soon as he opens the door, he says, “Hurry. I texted Sadie a second ago. They’re on their way.”
I send Skyler a quick text.
Logan: Where are you?
She responds pretty quickly.
Skyler: Leaving the fashion district, why?
Logan: Just curious xoxo.
I spread the rose petals out all over Jonah’s hallway floor with a promise to clean it up later and continue into the house, where I plan to wait on my knees begging her to forgive me. Jonah’s phone pings, and it’s Sadie saying they are pulling up now.
“Logan, they’re here. Are you ready to grovel?”
“Shut up. She’s worth it!”
“I know, and if it was Sadie I would do the same thing.”
He fist bumps me, and I get down on my knees with the ring in one hand and roses in the other. When the girls walk through the door, Skyler’s jaw drops.
“What are you doing?”
“Skyler, I know I messed up so bad, but I’m on my knees begging you to forgive me. I love you so much. I have a ring I would be honored if you’d wear as a symbol of my vow to never mistrust you again and to promise you that someday I will make you my wife. If you’ll come home with me tonight, I also promise to explain my actions and start spending the rest of my life making it up to you.”
“You didn’t need to buy me a ring to say you were sorry. The words spoke volumes. Yes, I’ll go home with you and hear you out, but know, and I mean this with all my heart, if you ever do that to me again we’re done. I was devastated and embarrassed, and I never want to go through that again. However, I love you enough to give you another chance.”
I jump up off my knees and embrace her into the biggest hug, pulling away only to kiss her. “God, woman, I was only without you for one night and I’m a fucking mess. Trust me, I’ll never piss you off again.”
Skyler chuckles. “I doubt that’s true, but we’ll see.”
Anybody who worked last night knew I fucked up, and as soon as we walk into the club I can see they’re all on edge, gauging my mood.
“Good evening, everyone,” I say as we walk in so they’ll relax a little.
Skyler grins. “Did you scare them last night?”
“Yeah, I think so. They won’t have to worry though, because as long as you’re coming home with me, all will be good. I love you, Skyler.”
“I love you too, Logan. I have to get to work now so my boss doesn’t fire me.”
I laugh and walk away to prepare for the club to open.
***
It’s already 1:30, and my team should be finished with last call since we close at 2:00. The club’s been packed all night, and my incredible team has everything running smoothly as usual. I’m sitting in my office watching everything unfold from the cameras. I could open a new club if I wanted to. This team could totally manage this place while I bounced between two clubs. I think I want to take Skyler away for a couple of days first, though. A quick impromptu vacation. Where should we go is the question. Maybe I’ll ask her tonight if there’s somewhere special she’d like to go for a few days. We could go Sunday to Tuesday and not miss any time from work.
Right now it’s time for me to head out and get this place closed up, because unfortunately I still have to explain my actions to her and hope she’ll stay with me after I explain what happened with Lindsay.
***
Skyler
“Your ring is stunning,” Kelly says as we are cleaning up our bar.
“Thanks! It’s a promise ring from Logan.”
“Aww, that is sweet!”
All I’ve been able to think about tonight is how much I can’t wait to get home to hear what he has to say. If I even remotely slowed down, I started thinking about it.
Logan comes out as Kelly and I are done cleaning up our bar and about to head to bar one to help them stock and finish cleaning up from last call.
“Nice job getting things cleaned up, ladies,” Logan says. “What do you have left to do?”
“Just stock and help clean up bar one,” I reply.
Logan looks nervous, and it makes me smile. Although I feel slightly bad, let’s be real; he made me feel pretty shitty last night and it wasn’t fair. If he thinks he can buy me a ring and all is fine, he’s crazy. He’ll be spilling his guts tonight, and then I’ll decide if we’re good or not. He walks away to check on the other bar, and Kelly and I head to the back to get what we need. We carry it out to bar one while they’re washing glasses and putting them away.
“Hey, Skyler, Shane is going to close up so we can get out of here,” Logan asks. “Are you ready?”
“We haven’t finished cleaning up yet,” I throw out there, not wanting the team to get mad I’m leaving early because I’m the boss’ girlfriend.
“We’re good, Sky,” Shane says and then Kelly jumps in too.
“Yeah, we’re almost done. Go on and get out of here.”
I raise both my brows at them. “Are you guys sure? Don’t cover because I’m his girlfriend. I’ll carry my own weight.”
“Seriously, go,” Shane says. “It’s fine! You can cover one of us another night.”
“Okay, cool. Have a good night.” I hug each of my friends and walk out with Logan.
We get into his rental car and we’re both quiet. There’s a lot of tension in the air.
“When are you going to get a car?” I ask.
He shrugs. “I don’t know. I have more important things to take care of right now. I’m hoping to go on Monday if you and I are good.”
I chuckle to myself then turn to look out the window again.
A short while later, he pulls up to his place and I climb out of the car to see Greg standing there.
“Good evening, Miss Jones. Good to see you.”
“Good to see you too. Greg, do you ever sleep?”
He bursts out laughing. “Yes, ma’am, I do. The night doorman called out sick so I agreed to stay.”
“You’re a good man, Greg.” Only he and I know I’m referring to our conversation from earlier. I walk to the elevator and press the button while I wait for Logan.
He walks up behind me and asks, “What was that all about with Greg?”
“I just happen to notice that he’s always here, so I asked him if he ever sleeps. He told me the other doorman called out so he offered to stay.”
The elevator comes and we ride it up to his floor. We walk into his place and he offers me a glass of wine, which I eagerly accept, hoping it’ll calm my nerves a little. I have to admit I’m a bit nervous because he is so nervous.
“So…I guess we should talk,” he says, handing me a glass of white wine.
“Yeah, we probably should, because no matter your reasoning it’s important you understand how I felt in that moment and even after.”
“I know nothing excuses my behavior, and I’ve already apologized to Mikey. Luckily for me, he knows about my history with my ex and why I reacted the way I did. He told me if he hadn’t known me better he would have punched me in the face for what I did to you.”
“Wow. He’s a good guy. I can tell and I’ve only known him a short time.”
“I know, and I’m lucky to have him as a friend.” He takes a deep breath. “I was once in love with this girl Lindsay. We were together for almost five years. We were even engaged to be married. She knew I had jealousy issues and she used them against me once she knew I was in love with her. I gave her the world, Skyler, and I would have done anything for her until I caught her fucking my best friend. When I walked in on them, I stood there and watched, not knowing what to do. I felt foolish for not seeing it sooner. I was devastated, and I vowed from that day forward no woman would hurt me that way ever again. I spent a long time focused on building up the club I worked in and tried dating other women but never felt like I could trust them. Until I met you. You were sweet and shy and your smile lit up my life. When I saw you dancing with Mikey, my insecurities came back to haunt me and I lost it. I’m so sorry, Skyler. I’m sure it’ll take some time for you to forgive me, but please try. I do truly love you and promise I’ll never behave like that again.”
“Like I told you at Sadie’s, what you did was embarrassing and hurtful, but I love you, Logan, and I want a life with you. I’ll forgive you this once. I know I told you in the past I would sabotage my relationships to leave men, so I can understand why you reacted the way you did. Let me be clear, though; my relationships did not compare to what you and I have, and I will not do to you what I did to them. Going forward we talk, because this is the only free pass I’ll give you.”
He pulls me in for a kiss. “Thank you, Skyler. Now I have one question for you.”
“What, sweetie?”
“If I were to tell you that I want to take you away for three or four days, where would you want to go?”
“Hmmm, I’ve never thought about it. Can I have some time to think about it?”
“Yes. I want to take you away for a few days of some quiet time, just the two of us.”