Ch 4

As the night wore on, the party began to wind down. The music softened, and the crowd started to thin. Grace glanced at her phone, realizing how late it had gotten.

"I should probably head back," she said, slipping her phone into her pocket. "I've got a busy day tomorrow."

Logan straightened, his expression softening. "I can walk you back if you want."

Grace hesitated, touched by the offer but not wanting to impose. "That's really nice of you, but it's okay. It's not too far, and I've walked it plenty of times."

"You sure?" Logan asked, his concern genuine.

"Positive," Grace said with a small smile. "But thank you. Really."

Logan nodded, his hands sliding into his pockets. "Alright, but text Daisy when you get back so she knows you're safe. Or text me."

Grace tilted her head, smirking slightly. "You don't even have my number."

Logan grinned, a playful glint in his eye. "Not yet."

Grace rolled her eyes, but she couldn't hide her smile. "Goodnight, Logan."

"Goodnight, Grace," he said, watching Grace wove her way through the dwindling crowd, finding Daisy and Morris near the snack table, laughing at some joke Morris had just told. She approached them with a small wave.

"Hey, I'm heading out," Grace said

Daisy turned to her, frowning slightly. "Already? You sure you don't want to stay a little longer?"

Grace smiled. "It's late, and I've got a busy day tomorrow. Plus, you guys are here, and I don't want to be the third wheel."

"You're never a third wheel," Daisy said, rolling her eyes before pulling Grace in for a quick hug. "But okay. Just promise me you'll text me when you're back at the dorm."

"I will," Grace assured her.

Daisy nodded, her frown softening into a warm smile. "Alright. Let's grab lunch tomorrow at our usual spot. Then we can have a chill Sunday night—just us. Maybe a movie night? Girls' night before we're back to the grind on Monday."

"Sounds perfect," Grace said, genuinely looking forward to the downtime.

Morris chimed in with a friendly smile. "Take care, Grace. Glad you came tonight."

"Thanks, Morris. Have fun, you two," she said, waving as she headed for the door.

The night air was crisp as she stepped outside, the faint hum of the party still audible behind her. Grace walked at an easy pace, her thoughts lingering on the night—the laughter, the dancing, and, of course, Logan. When she reached her dorm, she pulled out her phone and shot Daisy a quick text.

Grace: Back at the dorm. Safe and sound.

Daisy's response came instantly.

Daisy: Good. Sleep well, babe. Movie night tomorrow—it's happening.

Grace smiled at the message before setting her phone down and kicking off her shoes. The night had been unexpected, but as she curled up in bed, she realized she didn't regret a moment of it.

The party had dwindled to just a handful of people, the energy mellowing out as the night wore on. Logan was leaning against the kitchen counter, nursing his last beer of the night while Morris and a couple of his teammates chatted nearby.

Morris was telling a story about a recent game when Logan casually chimed in, his tone light. "Hey, Morris, random question—Grace isn't seeing anyone, is she?"

Morris paused mid-sentence, raising an eyebrow as a knowing grin spread across his face. "Grace? Nah, she's single. Why, Logan? You interested?"

Logan shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Just curious. She seems cool, that's all."

Morris smirked. "Uh-huh, 'just curious.' Sure, man." He leaned back against the counter, clearly enjoying this moment. "You want her number, don't you?"

Logan hesitated for a fraction of a second before giving a small nod. "Wouldn't hurt to have it."

Morris chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. But don't make me regret this—Daisy would kill me if you screw it up."

"I won't," Logan promised, his tone earnest.

Morris pulled out his phone, scrolling through his contacts until he found Grace's number. He rattled it off, and Logan saved it to his own phone, trying not to let his satisfaction show too much.

"You owe me, man," Morris said, pointing a finger at him.

"Noted," Logan replied with a grin.

As the conversation shifted back to lighter topics, Logan couldn't help but glance at the new contact in his phone. He didn't have a plan yet, but he figured he'd wait for the right moment. No need to rush. After all, Grace was worth taking the time for.

The next day, Grace walked into the small, cozy lunch spot called The Hidden Nook she and Daisy had claimed as their usual spot. The scent of homemade-style food with fresh ingredients fill the air, and the soft hum of conversation created a comforting background noise. Daisy was already at their usual table by the window, waving enthusiastically as soon as Grace walked in.

"Hey, girl!" Daisy called as Grace slid into the chair across from her. "You look way too put together for someone who left the party early."

Grace rolled her eyes, setting her bag on the floor. "I wasn't exactly out late, and I didn't have much to drink. You, on the other hand, look suspiciously chipper for someone who stayed until the end."

Daisy smirked. "Perks of staying at Morris' dorm. I didn't have to walk far, and he made me breakfast." She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "But let's talk about you. How was the walk back? Did Logan find some excuse to follow you?"

"Nope," Grace said, taking a sip of the water Daisy had already ordered for her. "He offered, but I said no. And before you say it, no, I don't regret it."

Daisy narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced. "You're too independent sometimes, you know that? The guy obviously likes you."

Grace flushed slightly, looking down at the menu. "He's just friendly. Besides, we're totally different. He's outgoing, popular, a hockey star—and I'm, well, me."

Daisy groaned. "You need to stop selling yourself short. You're smart, funny, and way cuter than you give yourself credit for. Trust me, Logan doesn't just flirt with anyone like that. I saw the way he was looking at you last night."

Grace sighed, unable to argue with Daisy's determination. "Fine. Maybe he's interested. But even if he is, what am I supposed to do about it? I'm not exactly great at this whole dating thing."

"That's what I'm here for," Daisy said with a grin. "But we're taking it one step at a time. First, we focus on relaxing. No overthinking, no worrying about Logan or school or anything else."

Grace smiled despite herself. "Relaxing sounds good."

"Good, because we've got popcorn and all the streaming services ready for our movie night," Daisy said, her enthusiasm infectious. "But first, let's eat. I'm starving."

As they waited for their food, Daisy leaned back in her chair, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "So, let's talk about this movie night. I was thinking we could go classic rom-com—something with charm, laughs, and just a little drama."

Grace raised an eyebrow, amused. "Like what? When Harry Met Sally? Or are you aiming for something cheesier, like The Proposal?"

"Hey, don't knock The Proposal!" Daisy said, feigning offense. "Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds are a masterpiece. But no, I was thinking something a little more... inspiring."

Grace narrowed her eyes, already suspicious. "Inspiring how?"

Daisy grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Inspiring in the 'get-you-to-see-that-Logan-isn't-just-flirting-for-fun' way."

Grace groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Why are we back on Logan? I thought we agreed to focus on relaxing, not dissecting my nonexistent love life."

Daisy shrugged, unbothered. "Relaxing includes romantic daydreams, Grace. You can't fight me on that."

Before Grace could respond, the server arrived with their food—Grace's avocado toast and Daisy's caprese sandwich with fresh mozzarella. The interruption gave her a momentary reprieve, though Daisy's smug smile didn't waver.

"Okay, fine," Grace said, picking at her toast. "Let's say Logan is interested. What makes you so sure it's more than just a casual thing? He's probably like that with everyone."

"Wrong," Daisy said firmly, picking up her sandwich. "First of all, Logan doesn't go out of his way for 'everyone.' He's popular, sure, but he's not exactly Mr. Let-Me-Buy-You-A-Coffee-For-No-Reason. And second, you didn't see his face last night."

Grace blinked. "His face?"

"Yes, his face," Daisy said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "The guy could not stop staring at you. He was practically glowing every time you laughed. It was like a rom-com moment, but in real life."

"Now you're exaggerating," Grace said, though her cheeks betrayed her with a faint blush.

"Am I?" Daisy asked, grinning knowingly. "Look, I'm not saying you have to dive headfirst into anything, but maybe let yourself have a little fun. He clearly likes you, and it wouldn't kill you to explore what that might look like."

Grace took a thoughtful bite of her toast, mulling over Daisy's words. "It's just... I don't want to get caught up in something that's going to distract me from why I'm here. College is already overwhelming enough without adding a hockey player to the mix."

"Fair," Daisy said, nodding. "But Logan doesn't strike me as the type to derail you. He seems like the kind of guy who'd cheer you on while you crushed your goals. And, honestly, you deserve someone who makes you feel seen, you know? Someone who looks at you like you're the only person in the room."

Grace hesitated, "You really think he's like that?"

Daisy leaned forward, her expression softening. "I know he is. And I think you know it too, even if you don't want to admit it yet."

Grace didn't respond right away, her mind swirling with thoughts of Logan. She hadn't let herself entertain the possibility of something real with him, but Daisy's words planted a seed of curiosity she couldn't ignore.

Daisy, sensing the shift, smiled and raised her fresh lemonade. "To movie night and letting go of overthinking. Agreed?"

Grace laughed, clinking her water glass against Daisy's. "Agreed."

The sun was starting to set as Grace and Daisy strolled back to their dorm after lunch. The crisp autumn air was cool against Grace's cheeks, and she tucked her hands into her pockets as they walked.

Daisy was chatting animatedly about her upcoming plans with Morris, but she paused mid-sentence and glanced at Grace with a sly grin. "You've been awfully quiet since lunch. What's going on in that overthinking brain of yours?"

Grace shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Nothing. Just thinking about schoolwork and how I need to reorganize my planner."

Daisy rolled her eyes. "Right. Because that's totally what's on your mind after the lunch we just had."

"It is!" Grace insisted, though her flushed cheeks gave her away.

"Sure," Daisy said, smirking. "But don't think you're getting out of this movie night without spilling at least some of those thoughts. I've got popcorn and ice cream to bribe you with."

Grace laughed despite herself. "Fine, but don't expect anything groundbreaking. It's just a movie night, not a therapy session."

Daisy grinned triumphantly. "We'll see about that."

Later that evening, the dorm was quiet except for the faint sound of music coming from a room down the hall. Grace had changed into her comfiest leggings and an oversized sweatshirt, while Daisy, ever the fashion-forward one, wore matching satin pajamas that looked straight out of a catalog.

"Alright," Daisy said, hands on her hips as she surveyed their setup. "We've got popcorn, three kinds of ice cream, a blanket fort that would make P*******t jealous, and a carefully curated movie list. Are you ready?"

Grace laughed as she adjusted one of the blankets draped over the couch. "This is... a lot. But I love it."

"Go big or go home," Daisy declared, plopping down onto the couch and grabbing the remote. "So, what's the first pick? Classic rom-com? Or do we dive into something sappy and dramatic?"

Grace settled in beside her, tucking her legs under a blanket. "Let's start with something light. I don't think I have the emotional energy for full-on drama tonight."

Daisy grinned "Good call, The Proposal it is."

As the movie started, Grace let herself sink into the moment, her worries fading into the background. Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, but for now, she was content to just be—popcorn in hand, a good friend by her side, and a rare sense of peace in her heart.

Logan sat on the edge of his bed in his off-campus house, staring at his phone like it was a puzzle he couldn't quite figure out. His teammates had all retreated to their rooms after their night of hanging out, leaving him alone in the quiet. Normally, that was how he liked it—peaceful and distraction-free. But tonight, his mind was restless, filled with thoughts of Grace.

His thumb hovered over her newly saved contact in his phone, courtesy of Morris. It wasn't like him to hesitate about texting someone. Confidence was second nature to him, whether on the ice or off. But Grace wasn't just someone.

She was different. Reserved, smart, and somehow completely unaffected by the charm he usually relied on. He'd noticed it right away—the way she held her ground, even at a party where most people melted into the crowd. She didn't fawn over him like most people did when they found out he was on the hockey team. And that intrigued him more than he cared to admit.

Logan leaned back against the headboard, raking a hand through his hair. "Come on, man. It's just a text," he muttered to himself.

But that was the problem—it wasn't just a text. It was his first real move, and for some reason, he didn't want to mess it up. He wanted her to see he was serious, not just playing around.

He typed out a quick message and then deleted it.

Logan: Hey, Grace. It's Logan. How's it going?

Nope. Too generic. He deleted it again.

Logan: Hey, Grace. Morris gave me your number. Hope you don't mind me texting you.

Still no. Too formal. He groaned, dropping his phone onto his chest and staring up at the ceiling.

Why was this so hard? He could trash-talk opposing teams, stand up to the toughest players on the ice, and give a speech in the locker room without breaking a sweat. But texting Grace? That had him tied up in knots.

Finally, he sat up and decided to go with honesty. If she didn't like it, at least he'd know he'd tried.

Logan: Hey, Grace. It's Logan. Hope I'm not interrupting your night. Morris might've helped me get your number, so now we can actually text instead of me pretending to run into you all the time.

He hit send before he could second-guess himself, staring at the screen as the message was delivered.

"Alright. Ball's in her court now," he muttered, tossing his phone onto the bed and heading into the kitchen to grab some water.

But before he even opened his door, his phone buzzed. He froze, a strange mix of nerves and excitement rushing through him. He walked back, picked up the phone, and saw her reply.

Grace: Hey, Logan. No, you're not interrupting. But I'm curious—how exactly did Morris help with this?

Logan grinned, her straightforwardness making him feel a little more at ease.

Logan: Let's just say I owe him one. He might've mentioned you weren't seeing anyone and gave me your number. Hope that's okay.

As they continued texting, Logan felt the tension in his chest ease. She was funny, warm, and easy to talk to, even through a screen. And while part of him still felt nervous, he couldn't help but feel a little victorious, too.

He'd taken the shot. And if tonight was any indication, it might just pay off.

Grace was halfway through a handful of popcorn when her phone buzzed on the coffee table. She glanced at the screen, frowning slightly at the unknown number.

"Who's texting you this late?" Daisy asked, not bothering to look away from the movie as she tossed another piece of popcorn into her mouth.

"No idea," Grace replied, picking up her phone. She opened the message, and her brows shot up in surprise as she read it.

Unknown Number: Hey, Grace. It's Logan. Hope I'm not interrupting your night. Morris might've helped me get your number, so now we can actually text instead of me pretending to run into you all the time.

Grace blinked at the message, rereading it to make sure she wasn't imagining things. "It's Logan," she said aloud, her voice incredulous.

Daisy paused the movie immediately, her eyes lighting up. "Logan? As in John Logan? Hockey player Logan? What does he want?"

Grace held up her phone. "Apparently, he got my number from Morris and decided to text me."

Daisy gasped dramatically, leaning closer. "What did he say? Read it out loud."

Grace rolled her eyes but obliged, reading the message to her friend.

Daisy clapped her hands together, her excitement barely contained. "Oh my God, he's into you! This is so cute! What are you going to say?"

"I don't know," Grace admitted, staring at the screen. "It's kind of weird, right? I mean, why didn't he just ask for my number himself?"

"Because guys like Logan think they have to be smooth about everything," Daisy said, waving her hand dismissively. "Don't overthink it. He obviously wants to talk to you, so just text him back!"

Grace hesitated for a moment before typing a response.

Grace: Hey, Logan. No, you're not interrupting. But I'm curious—how exactly did Morris help with this?

She hit send, and the reply came almost instantly.

Logan: Let's just say I owe him one. He might've mentioned you weren't seeing anyone and gave me your number. Hope that's okay.

Grace felt her cheeks warm as she read the message, her mind racing. She glanced at Daisy, who was practically vibrating with excitement.

"What'd he say? Don't leave me hanging!" Daisy demanded.

Grace showed her the screen, and Daisy let out a delighted squeal. "See? He's making an effort! This is so good, Grace. Text him back. Keep the conversation going!"

Grace sighed but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips as she typed.

Grace: It's fine. I guess it saves you from pretending to bump into me all the time, huh?

Logan's reply came seconds later.

Logan: Exactly. So, what're you up to?

Grace glanced at Daisy, who was grinning like the Cheshire Cat. "We're watching a movie, aren't we?"

"Tell him that!" Daisy said.

Grace typed out a response.

Grace: Just watching a movie with Daisy. Pretty low-key night. What about you?

Logan: Sounds like a good night. I just got back from the rink. Thought I'd text you before the weekend officially ended.

Grace bit her lip, her smile growing despite herself. Daisy nudged her with her elbow, clearly pleased.

"I told you this would happen," Daisy said smugly. "Now, just keep talking to him. Trust me—this is going somewhere."

Grace shook her head, but she couldn't deny the flutter of excitement in her chest. Maybe Daisy was right. Maybe this was going somewhere.