Ch 10

Grace walked into the dorm room, her heart still fluttering from the kiss as she closed the door behind her. She found Daisy sitting on her bed, scrolling through her phone, already half-dressed in her pajamas. Daisy looked up when she heard the door, a wide grin forming on her face.

"So, how was the date?" Daisy asked, her voice teasing, clearly eager for the details. "You left with a date and came back alone... What happened?"

Grace could barely contain her excitement. She dropped her bag onto the desk, plopping down next to Daisy with a huge smile on her face. "Oh my God, Daisy, it was... incredible. It started off so chill—Logan really took care of me the whole time. I mean, he's so different from everyone I thought he'd be. Like, I don't know how to explain it, but he's just... real, you know?"

Daisy's eyes widened. "Okay, keep talking. This sounds good."

Grace chuckled, pulling her knees up to her chest. "We just had so much fun, honestly. We talked for hours, like we've known each other forever. And then, when it got late, I said I was gonna leave, and he didn't want me to go by myself. He literally insisted on driving me back, which was super sweet."

Daisy raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "And then? What else happened?"

Grace took a deep breath, her heart still racing as she remembered the moment outside her dorm. "We got to the dorm, and he walked me to the door. I was already so happy that he was being so protective, you know? Like, I couldn't help but smile the whole time. And then, when we said goodnight, he kissed my cheek."

Daisy's eyes went wide. "Aww, that's so cute! But... that's not the end, is it?"

Grace grinned, unable to hold back. "No, it's not. After he kissed my cheek... I kissed him. On the lips."

Daisy gasped, her hands flying to her face. "Oh my God, you did?!"

Grace nodded, a smile spreading across her face. "Yeah. I don't know what came over me, but it just felt right. He didn't even hesitate. It was... amazing."

Daisy squealed, nearly falling off her bed. "Oh my God, Grace, I knew it! I knew it would happen. You two have such a vibe together." She paused, giving Grace a knowing look. "So... do you think this is something? Like, do you think he feels the same way?"

Grace's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't really thought about it too deeply, but now that Daisy was asking, it felt like the most natural question to ask. "I... I think so? I mean, he was so sweet the whole night, and he didn't pull away when I kissed him. He's been kind of... different with me, and I think I'm starting to feel like maybe this could be more than just a fling."

Daisy's grin widened. "I think you're onto something. I mean, come on, he drove you back and kissed you—sounds like the guy's definitely into you."

Just as they were getting lost in the excitement of the night, Grace's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and saw Logan's name lighting up on her phone. Her stomach fluttered.

She opened the message:

Logan: Hey, Grace. I had such a great time tonight. Would love to see you again Goodnight.

Grace felt a wave of warmth rush over her, smiling as she read the message. She quickly typed out a response.

Grace: I had an amazing time too. I'd love to see you again. Goodnight, Logan.

Daisy watched as Grace sent the text, her eyes twinkling. "You're definitely onto something, girl. He's all in."

Grace laughed, setting the phone down beside her. "I hope so."

As Grace settled into bed later that night, she couldn't help but replay the events of the evening in her mind. The way Logan had treated her, the way he had made her feel—she wasn't sure where this was going, but she was excited to find out. It had started as a simple invitation to a party, and now she was lying here thinking about him, her heart racing with possibility. The night was far from over in her mind. And the thought of seeing Logan again made her smile to herself as she drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Grace and Daisy decided to grab coffee at their favorite campus spot. The little coffee shop was bustling with students catching up on studying or recovering from the night before. Grace, still floating from her time with Logan, sipped her caramel latte as they found a table by the window.

"You're glowing," Daisy teased, nudging her as she stirred her iced coffee. "Bet I know why."

Grace rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Okay, maybe last night was... really great. Logan was just so sweet, and I don't know, it felt natural, you know?"

Before Daisy could respond, Grace spotted a familiar group near the back of the coffee shop Allie, Hannah, and Sabrina were seated together, laughing about something. Allie noticed Grace and waved her over enthusiastically.

"Grace! Daisy! Come sit with us!" Allie called out.

Daisy grabbed her cup, and the two of them made their way over. The girls shifted their bags and books to make room for them at the table.

"Morning, ladies," Hannah said with a smirk. "Grace, how are you feeling after last night's party?"

Grace flushed slightly but slid into the seat next to Sabrina. "Not too bad. It wasn't... too wild for me."

"Oh, please," Sabrina said, leaning forward with a grin. "You left with Logan, didn't you? You were the talk of the party after you two walked in together."

Grace's cheeks turned pink, and she glanced at Daisy for backup, but her roommate only smirked.

"She was glowing when she came back last night," Daisy confirmed, stirring her straw. "Spill, Grace. The floor is yours."

The girls leaned in, clearly eager for details. Grace sighed but couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face. "Okay, fine. Logan and I hung out for most of the party. He didn't leave my side. And then, when I said I wanted to go home, he insisted on driving me back to my dorm."

"And?" Hannah prompted, raising an eyebrow. "There's more, isn't there?"

Grace hesitated, then decided to be honest. "When we got to my dorm, he kissed my cheek... and then I kissed him."

The table erupted into excited laughter and cheers.

"Atta girl!" Allie said, clapping her hands. "I knew there was something between you two at the last party. He couldn't take his eyes off you."

"Yeah," Sabrina added with a knowing smile. "Logan's not exactly the type to bring a girl as his date to a party. That's kind of a big deal for him."

Grace blinked, surprised. "Really? He seemed so casual about it."

"That's because he's Logan," Hannah said with a shrug. "But trust me, if he's putting in the effort to take care of you, walk you home, and all that... it's definitely not just casual in his mind."

Daisy leaned forward, her expression serious but kind. "See, Grace? You're not a 'nobody' like you keep telling yourself. Logan sees you, and he likes what he sees. Maybe it's time you start believing that."

Grace felt her heart warm at their words, but she still couldn't quite shake her nerves. "I don't know, you guys. He's... John Logan. Popular, confident, and I'm just... me. What if this is just some phase for him?"

"It's not," Hannah said firmly. "Trust me, we've known these guys for a while now. Logan doesn't play games, especially not with someone he respects. And he clearly respects you."

Grace nodded slowly, her mind swirling with thoughts. "Thanks, guys. I guess I just... need to take it one step at a time."

"And you will," Sabrina said with a reassuring smile. "For now, just enjoy it. You deserve it."

The conversation shifted to other topics, but Grace felt lighter as she sipped her coffee and laughed with the girls. She wasn't used to this kind of attention or encouragement, but having Daisy and Logan—and now the other girls—in her corner made her feel like maybe, just maybe, she was starting to fit into this new chapter of her life.

As Grace and Daisy walked back to their dorm after coffee, Grace's phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, seeing Logan's name on the screen. A small smile tugged at her lips as she opened the message.

Logan: Hey, you free to study later? I was thinking maybe we switch it up. Your dorm? I'll bring snacks and coffee if that seals the deal?

Grace read the message twice, her heart doing a little flip. She was used to their library study sessions by now, but the idea of Logan coming over felt... different. A bit more personal.

"What's that look for?" Daisy asked, peering over her shoulder.

"It's Logan," Grace said, showing her the message. "He wants to study at our dorm later."

Daisy smirked. "Oh, he's stepping up. Snacks and coffee? He's trying to impress you, Grace."

Grace rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "It's just studying. We've done this a million times."

"In public," Daisy pointed out. "This is a whole new level. Are you gonna say yes?"

Grace hesitated for a moment, then typed her response.

Grace: Sure, that works. What time are you thinking?

The reply came almost immediately.

Logan: How about 5? Gives us time to work before we crash from all the snacks.

Grace: Sounds good. See you then.

Daisy clapped her hands together as Grace slid her phone back into her pocket. "This is exciting! I'll make myself scarce so you two can have the place to yourselves."

Grace shot her a look. "Daisy, it's just studying."

"Uh-huh," Daisy said, grinning. "Whatever you say, Grace."

By the time 5 p.m. rolled around, Grace had tidied up her side of the dorm and tried to calm her nerves. Daisy had conveniently "decided" to study at the library with Morris, leaving Grace alone to wait for Logan.

A knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts. She opened it to find Logan standing there with a bag of snacks in one hand and a drink carrier with a caramel latte and black coffee in the other. His easy smile made her stomach flutter.

"Hey," he said, stepping inside. "Hope you're ready to be productive, because I brought reinforcements." He held up the snacks like a trophy.

Grace laughed, closing the door behind him. "You didn't have to go all out, you know."

Logan shrugged, setting the bag and drinks on the desk. "Consider it a thank-you for putting up with my terrible essay skills."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "You're not terrible. Just... in need of a little guidance."

"Which is why I keep coming back," Logan said, pulling out a chair and settling in. He looked around the room, his gaze softening as he took it in. "Nice setup. Feels cozy."

"Thanks," Grace said, sitting across from him. "Let's get started before we get distracted by all the snacks you brought."

Logan chuckled, pulling out his laptop. "Fair enough. But don't think I'm not gonna ask about your day later."

As they dove into their work, the atmosphere felt easy and comfortable, like it always did between them. But every now and then, Logan's eyes would linger on Grace a little longer than usual, and she couldn't help but wonder if Daisy was right—maybe this wasn't just studying after all.

The study session had been going smoothly for about an hour. Logan was deep in thought, his brow furrowed as he worked through his essay, while Grace typed away on her laptop. The quiet hum of the room, punctuated only by the occasional tap of keys and the rustling of snack bags, made it feel like they were in their own little world.

But as Grace glanced over at Logan, she couldn't help but notice the small things—the subtle gestures that seemed to carry a weight of meaning. She had caught him glancing at her more than once, his gaze lingering just a little longer than necessary, before he'd quickly turn back to his laptop as though he hadn't been staring.

It wasn't like he was overt about it, but there was a softness in the way he looked at her that was different from his usual confident demeanor. She wasn't sure if he was aware of it or if it was just happening naturally, but Grace couldn't help but notice how often their hands brushed when they both reached for a snack at the same time. And every time, he'd pause for just a second, almost like he was savoring the moment.

Then there was the way he subtly leaned in closer when Grace was checking his essay, his shoulder brushing against hers as he leaned over her desk. His fingers brushed her hair once, tucking it behind her ear gently as he was waiting for feedback on his paper.

"Hey," Logan said, his voice soft, almost hesitant, as if testing the waters. "This looks really good. I think you're going to knock it out of the park on this quiz"

Grace felt her heart race at the closeness of his voice, the heat from his proximity. She smiled, trying to focus on her Econ equations, but his words and his touch were making it harder and harder to concentrate.

"Thanks," she replied, shifting in her seat. "It's mostly simple equations, but I'm getting there."

She glanced up again, catching him looking at her, a small, almost nervous smile playing on his lips. It was the kind of smile that sent a flutter through her chest. He'd been doing that all night—looking at her like he was figuring something out, or maybe even trying to convince himself of something.

Logan, noticing her shift in focus, hesitated for a moment before setting his pen down and turning slightly toward her. He wasn't used to this kind of quiet tension, but something about it felt right. His fingers twitched as he drummed them lightly against the desk, fighting the impulse to reach out and close the small space between them. The longer he sat there, the more he felt the urge to pull her into his space, to kiss her again, like they had at the end of the night.

"Grace," he said, his voice low, the tone different now—softer, almost like a question.

She met his gaze, confused but intrigued by the way he was looking at her. Her stomach fluttered again as she noticed the shift in the air, the sudden warmth that seemed to envelope them both. For a moment, they both just stared at each other, the distance between them feeling both too far and not far enough.

"You okay?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her heart racing from the intensity of the moment.

"Yeah," Logan said, his smile softening as he glanced down at her lips for a second, before returning his eyes to hers. "I just... I don't know. I don't want to rush things or make it weird, but I feel like we're sort of... naturally getting close, you know?"

Grace nodded, feeling her breath catch in her throat. "Yeah, I feel that too."

There was an undeniable chemistry between them, a pull that neither could quite explain. Logan leaned in a little, his hand resting on the desk between them as he spoke, his voice a bit more hesitant. "Grace, I... I really enjoy being around you. I'm glad we're doing this, even if it's just studying. I don't want to make this awkward, but I think about last night... about the kiss."

Her heart skipped a beat. The memory of their kiss outside her dorm flooded back, fresh and warm. It felt like it had just happened, and now, with Logan sitting so close to her, it felt like the space between them had evaporated.

"I do too," Grace said, her voice barely a whisper, her eyes flicking to his lips for just a moment. "It wasn't just... the party, was it?"

"No," Logan said softly, his gaze intense. "It wasn't just that. I don't know what this is, but I don't want it to end."

The tension between them was palpable now, both of them unsure of the next step, but both clearly wanting the same thing. Grace's breath quickened as she found herself drawn to him, to the warmth of his presence, the softness of his gaze.

Logan took a slow breath, leaning in just slightly, as though waiting for her to make the first move, to decide if this was something she wanted as much as he did.

Her heart pounded in her chest, but in that moment, she knew. She leaned forward, closing the gap between them, and kissed him again—slowly, softly. The moment was still, as if the entire world outside the dorm had faded into nothing.

Logan kissed her back with the same gentle intensity, his hand finding her shoulder, guiding her closer, as if reassuring himself that this—whatever this was—was real. And for that brief, beautiful moment, everything felt perfectly in place.

Logan pulled back slightly, just enough to look at Grace's face. His thumb lightly brushed her cheek, and his voice was soft, almost hesitant. "Are you okay?"

Grace's lips were still tingling from the kiss, her heart racing. She nodded, her eyes meeting his. "Yeah," she whispered, a small smile forming. "I'm okay."

He let out a quiet breath, relief and something deeper washing over him. "Good," he said, his voice barely above a murmur. "Because I've been wanting to do that again for a while now."

Grace felt her cheeks flush, but she didn't look away. "Me too," she admitted, her voice just as soft.

Logan smiled, the corner of his mouth quirking up in that charming, boyish way that made her chest tighten. He leaned in again, his hand moving to cup the back of her head as their lips met once more. This time, the kiss was deeper, more certain, as if they'd both decided to stop holding back.

Grace felt herself melt into him, her hands instinctively reaching out to rest on his chest. The warmth of his touch, the way his fingers gently threaded through her hair, sent sparks through her entire body.

Logan shifted slightly, leaning closer as the kiss deepened. His other hand rested lightly on her waist, grounding her and pulling her just a little closer. Grace felt her pulse quicken, her thoughts becoming a blur as the world outside their little bubble faded away.