Love Bird. by Emily. Z. (story read aloud TXT) 📕

Dude? And why do I sound like fucking Ping from Mulan?

Logan snorted, and then laughed, before turning and strolling away. He waved without looking back.

"Dude?" I hissed at myself. "Of all the idiotic- argh!"

Turning, I stomped into the hotel, still feeling dizzy from the onslought I had just been delivered, but trying to maintain as much dignity as possible. On the way up to my floor, my hand made it's way to my lips a few...thousand times at least, before I'd rip it away, and smack it a few times, scolding it as if it were a child.

"No! No! You are not allowed to admit it!"

Admit what, exactly? Well just the fact that I had absolutely had no qualms about his lips on mine. At all. In any way. And also, the fact that I might have been in love with him.

But it wasn't like I was ever going to kiss him again. He said it himself, right? That it was...the last...

"Oh my god," I whispered, staring at the elevator doors with wide eyes as they began to slide open.

"Did he say for now?"

"What?" He cried, staring at me with wide eyes.

I cringed, holding my hands up in a gesture for him to cool his sphincter.

He swept the area as he realized everyone was looking at us, and leaned forward, lowering his voice. "You saw him?"

I nodded. Tarence leaned back, his eyes burning with curiosity. "And?"

I rolled my own, my cheeks reddening as I mumbled, "He kissed me...twice."

His mouth dropped open, and he flattened his palms on the table. This time, he didn't care who heard as he yelled, "Twice?"

I cringed, and groaned. "Terance," I complained, "Not so loud!"

"Okay, okay," He conceeded, lowering his voice as he took a deep breath to calm himself. And then he stared at me, waiting for me to explain.

"I didn't expect them...well, that's not really true," I thought back to the last kiss, it was vaguely expected. "But now he knows where I am. He hasn't visited me since that night, but...I just have a bad feeling."

"A bad feeling? Girl, if I were you I'd be on cloud nine."

Rolling my eyes, I settle them back on him, and glare. "Yes, I'm currently trying to reconcile my relationship with my boyfriend, and I should be on cloud nine that another man kissed me - twice."

"Okay, okay," He repeated his words from last time, but this time with a small laugh. "I was just trying to lighten you up - you're down straight in the dumps, I can tell."

I opened my mouth to protest his words, but before denial even left my mouth, I lost my fight, and slouched back in my chair. "I can't win," I groaned, and my forehead fell into my hand.

I could practically feel Tarence's grimace. "Like I said, this is a soap opera." And then he gasped. "Does that mean I'm the token best friend who gives all the good advice and stuff?" And then he got really nervous.

I sat staring at him with an amused expression as he straightened himself and forced his expression into a serious gaze. He then looked at me and said, "Everything happens for a reason."

I stared at him, sitting up straight in a slow manner. And then we both burst out laughing.

"What the hell?" I laughed, leaning on an elbow as my face fell into my hand yet again. 

"I'm sorry. How about, life is like a box of chocolates?" He snorted right after he said that, causing me to shake with laughter as a cackle escaped. 

I shook my head, whiping a tear from my eye. "I don't think you're cut out for the token best friend job. You're more comic relief, I think," I teased him.

"You may be right," He pointed a finger at me, nodding in agreement. 

"Also, the last advice you gave me was that I should totally get that tattoo of bugs bunny on my thigh because it complimented my witty personality," I reminded him, shooting him a glare.

He grinned then. "Hey, bugs bunny was a freaking trickster if I've ever seen one, so obviously he's your spirit animal."

I rolled my eyes. "Okay, okay, so I'm a little sarcastic now and then-,"

"A little?" He cut in.

I continued, ignoring him. "But I'm also innocent and sweet!"

We stared at each other for a moment, before both of us burst into another fit of laughter. 

"You?" He wailed, slapping his knee.

I shook my head, wiping a tear from my eye as I held my other hand up. "Alright, alright, I know. Innocent is a bit of an exaggeration."

"A bit!" He cried, holding his stomach.

After a moment, our laughter died down, and I smiled over at him. "Thanks for this, Tarence. It's nice to have a friend around who knows exactly how to distract me."

"Hey," He shrugged, bringing his coffee to his lips. "It's been an occupation of mine since high school."

I sighed and sipped my coffee as well, although I made a face as it wasn't as hot as it was before, and left a bad taste in the back of my mouth.

"So?" He asked, leaning forward.

I stared at him expectantly, waiting for him to continue. When he didn't, I shot him a confused look.

"So...what?"

"So what do you plan to do about this?" He asked me, and there was no need to add the 'duh'.

I grimaced. "I didn't exactly get the chance to tell him that I was off the market, but the next time I see him, I'll definitely have a long talk with him," I told Tarence, my voice determined.

"How do you think he'll take that?" He asked me, his eyebrows furrowing.

My determined expression wavered, and I shifted my eyes to the table. "Not...so well...I think."

He shot me a sympathetic look as he set his hand atop mine across the table. "Stay strong, Sister. I know you - you can do this."

I smiled at him. "Thanks, Tarence."

"Anytime," He replied.

"So how are you and Mr. Perfect?" I asked him, and then sipped at my coffee.

His smile had a dreamy glow to it as his eyes sparkled. I smiled indulgently. He's so adorable sometimes.

"Well," He began. "Vaund took me to a really nice restaraunt the other day. It was so beautiful - you know, Faber's."

"Faber's?" I echoed in astonishment. "Really?"

He grinned, and nodded. "It was so awesome. He was so sweet the whole time."

I nodded along with his story, and he recounted the details. Things like what Vaundry was wearing, and how he'd chosen a really good wine for them both. It sounded like a really nice night for them both. But as he got to the end, his expression clouded a little.

"But...he's still a little...distant."

"Distant?" I asked, my stomach knotting for my friend. "What do you mean?"

He laughed, suddenly smiling again, and waved his hand, "Don't worry. I'm sure it's fine. He's just shy."

Furrowing my brows, I nodded, unconvinced. "Yeah. I'm sure that's all...but call me if anything happens, okay? I'll always talk to you."

He smiled, and this time it was genuine. "I will."

***

I left the coffee shop, promising to call Tarence as I hugged him goodbye. I had gone out to put another clue out for Victor, but Tarence had called to ask if I wanted to hang out with some coffee. I supposed I couldn't watch him get this one. I put it in an extra special spot for him. A laugh bubbled up just thinking about it.

I headed back to the hotel, and just as I stepped out of the car, in front of me, Jason had just stepped out of his. Giving a tired sigh, I ducked my head as I walked towards the door, but my arm was caught, and I knew that it was over for me.

"Ah the lovely Jane!" He said, as I turned around with an extra salty look for him.

"Ah the pain in my ass Jackson."

"Ah...it's Jason." I knew that.

I let out a long sigh. "What do you want?"

He tilted his head with a small grin, and it almost looked charming. Had I known who the bastard actually was on the inside, I would have probably thought he was an alright guy. Ha!

"I actually just wanted to ask whether you were free this Friday."

"Actually, I wanted to ask you the same thing!" I said, brightening my face and pointing at him as if it were such a coincidence. 

"Really?"

"Yeah! I've got this guy you'd probably love to meet - his name is Victor. He's a police chief I'm currently and very seriously in love with and I'm sure he'd be thrilled to meet you."

He dropped his hand. "Now that's no fun."

"Life isn't fun, Jacky-,"

"Jason,"

"-That's why I was made! Someone has to  brighten it!" I continued, ignoring his correction.

And with that, I saluted him, blew him a mock kiss, and then twirled around on my heel. I walked away with extra finesse, just to piss him off.

"Ms. Jane," Benny greeted with a kind smile, and my own face softened in response.

"I see you're still working hard as always," I said to him, giving him a hug. "Anyone give you trouble today?"

"No," He murmured, a slight tremor in his voice as he shifted his stance slightly. "It's been as boring as always out here."

I laughed, nodding. "Good, good. You tell me if someone bothers you. I'll give 'em the old "swift kick in the ass!" Or so it goes."

He patted my shoulder. "I'll keep that in mind, Ms."

I grinned and waved as I walked into the hotel, but I wasn't paying attention and accidentally ran into something.

Or maybe it was somone.

It wasn't one of those dramatic things you see in books where I nearly fall over - no, I'm too much of a ninja for that. I simply bumped into him and let out a weird little squeak in surprise.

"Geez," I complained as I looked up, "Can you be any more of a wall? I think my insides are bleeding from the impact."

Logan quirked his eyebrows, smiling with a bemused expression. "It's not my fault you hardly ever watch where you're going."

"Well, well, well. Long time no see, stranger," I greeted him with a pat on the stubbled cheek.

"Jane," He said, rolling his eyes at me.

"What?" I asked, tilting my head.

"You have a stalker," He pointed behind me.

I looked, and there was Jason, standing at the entrance and watching us. God, was he creepy or what?

"James!" I greeted, waving my hand over my head.

He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, before making his way over. 

"James this is Logan. Logan this is James."

"Ah, actually it's Jason. Nice to meet you," He said, reaching his hand out, "I'm putting together the annual ball this year."

"Oh," Logan replied, and didn't say anything else, taking his hand in a strong grip and shaking it once.

I felt a laugh bubble up, but repressed it. There was no "pleasure to meet you." Or even a "Hello." It was just an intimidating stare and a simple handshake. Jacky looked like he was trying to size Logan up.

"So, how do you two know each other?" Jacob asked, and he looked apprehensive.

"I should be asking you the same thing," Logan replied, his eyes flickering to me.

"He's my