Chapter Twenty-Two Logan
Chapter Twenty-Two
Logan
I can’t shake the feeling of urgency gnawing at me. Every hour that passes without talking to Grace feels like a lifetime. I’ve messed things up—badly—and if I don’t do something soon, I’m afraid I might lose her for good.
That thought terrifies me more than anything.
So I decide to pull out all the stops. I need to show Grace how much she means to me, that I’m ready to fight for her, for us. This isn’t just some temporary thing, not anymore. She deserves a real apology, one that shows I’m serious about making things right.
I head to the beach restaurant, a cozy little spot right on the water, tucked away from the rest of the resort. It’s the perfect place for us to talk—secluded, private. I want to make sure we can have a real conversation, without distractions, without interruptions. So I book out the entire place for the evening. Just for the two of us.
The staff looks at me a little strangely when I make the request, but they don’t question it. They nod and start setting things up as I explain what I want—a quiet, intimate dinner with candles, soft music, and plenty of space for us to talk. I’m not going for anything too extravagant, just something that shows I’ve put in the effort, that I’m not taking this lightly.
As I stand there discussing the details with the head waiter, my mind races with what I’ll say to her. How do I even begin? How do I explain the mess I’ve made, the mistakes I’ve carried, without sounding like I’m making excuses?
The truth is, I’ve been afraid. I’ve been hiding behind this fake engagement because it was easier than facing my feelings for Grace. But now, I can’t hide anymore. I’ve been falling for her since before this whole charade even started. I just didn’t have the guts to admit it, not to myself, and certainly not to her.
Now, I might be too late.
I glance out at the ocean, the sun starting to set, casting the water in shades of gold and pink. It’s beautiful, but it only adds to the knot in my stomach. What if she doesn’t show? What if I’ve already pushed her too far?
I shake the thought away, trying to stay positive. She’ll come. She has to. Grace isn’t someone who just walks away from things without a second thought. I know she’s hurting, but I also know there’s still something between us worth saving.
I can’t lose her.
The head waiter gives me a nod, letting me know everything is ready, and I thank him, hoping this gesture is enough to show Grace how much I care. I take one last look at the setup, candles flickering on the tables, the sound of the waves gently crashing in the background, and I feel a sliver of hope.
I’m standing by the railing, watching the waves crash onto the shore, trying to keep my nerves in check, when I hear footsteps behind me. I turn to see Joseph walking up, his hands in his pockets, a casual but concerned look on his face.
“Hey,” he says, nodding toward the restaurant setup. “Looks like you’re going all out tonight.”
I offer a small smile, though it feels tight. “Yeah, I have to, don’t I? I’ve messed things up pretty bad with Grace.”
Joseph leans against the railing next to me, looking out at the ocean for a moment before speaking. “I hope you two work things out, man. You’re good for each other.”
The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard, and I glance at him, surprised. Joseph has always been supportive, but hearing him say it like that—it gives me a bit of hope. Before I can respond, he continues.
“We kicked Samantha out,” he says, his tone shifting to something more serious. “She’s packed her things, and she’s waiting for a taxi to take her to the airport.”
I blink, absorbing the news. “She’s really gone?”
Joseph nods. “She kicked up a fuss, as expected. Tried to make a scene, but Emily and I shut it down before she could cause too much trouble.”
A surge of relief washes over me, but it’s quickly followed by guilt. “You should’ve called me, man. I would’ve dealt with her. She’s been my mess from the start.”
Joseph shakes his head, his expression calm but firm. “You’re going through enough with Grace right now. You didn’t need to get dragged into Samantha’s drama again. We’ve all had enough of that.”
I let out a heavy sigh, the weight of everything pressing down on me. He’s right—I’ve been juggling so much, trying to figure things out with Grace while Samantha kept throwing curveballs. Hearing that she’s finally gone, that she’s out of the picture for good, it feels like a massive weight off my shoulders.
Still, part of me can’t help but feel responsible for the chaos she caused. I should have kicked her out the moment she showed up, should’ve dealt with this before it got so out of hand. I glance at Joseph, feeling the need to apologize.
“I’m sorry you had to deal with that,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. “I let things go on too long.”
Joseph shrugs, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Don’t sweat it. She’s gone now, and that’s what matters. You’ve got bigger things to worry about—like fixing things with Grace.”
I nod, appreciating his support more than I can put into words. “Yeah. I’m just hoping she’ll show up tonight, you know? I’ve messed up so much, and I don’t know if I can fix it.”
Joseph claps me on the back, his expression reassuring. “You will. Grace cares about you, Logan. I know it’s been complicated, but just be honest with her. Tell her how you really feel.”
I swallow hard, knowing he’s right. Tonight, I’ll have to lay it all out there—no more hiding behind excuses, no more pretending. I’m going to tell Grace how I feel, even if it scares the hell out of me.
“Thanks,” I say, my voice low but sincere.
Joseph nods, standing up straight again. “I’ll leave you to it, then. Good luck.”
As he walks away, I turn my gaze back to the ocean, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore oddly soothing. Samantha’s gone. Joseph and Emily have my back. Now it’s just me and Grace, and the words I’ve been too afraid to say.