Little Miss Nosy

Chapter Twelve: Play Nice

-Edited-

"Another one for your collection." Logan hands me the stuffed bear, to which I add to the four other collectibles in my arms. He smiles brightly at me before taking a few to lighten the load. "I'll never understand how you aren't drowning in these things," he comments in reference to the stuffed animal hammock hanging in the corner of my bedroom.

"You're magical," I gawk after his fifth successful try at the claw machine. I guess you learn something new everyday, and for me it's that Logan is a pro at what I used to call the 'impossible machine.' "I've never been able to win one for myself. It's so cool!"

"There's an arcade at the theater. I don't want to know how many quarters I've lost mastering these things on my breaks." He pauses, tilts his head to study me. "I forgot how easy it is to impress you." The blue and red arcade lighting illuminates his smile, dimples seeming even more prominent.

We walk between the aisles of claw machines in silence, some people sucking their teeth as they land on their third or fourth loss while others bounce in victory. The laughter and chatter around us fade as I focus on him. Alarms blaring to notify the room that someone hit the jackpot and won a thousand tickets capture my attention, but it's immediately back on Logan as he takes my hand in his.

Thankfully he can't see my blush in the darkness. I wonder how much time will pass where I no longer feel shy around him. "So, my mom's job is hosting this dinner. I wish I could take you—oh...my...gosh!" I yank him towards the last machine in the row. In the box sits dozens of animals, but the one that catches my eye is a pink bunny with a chef's hat and whisk.

My face is squished against the glass as I whisper, "I'll get you out of there."

A pouty lip is the only signal Logan needs before inserting the playing card in the slot to start up the machine. "A company dinner? Sounds boring," he says while wiggling the claw.

"Yeah, but at least I get some good food out of it," I say absentmindedly, eyeing the claw as it hovers and twitches over each stuffed animal.

"Unless you're telekinetic, that claw isn't going anywhere no matter how hard you focus on it." Although he's concentrating on the bunny, a small smile pulls at his lips from my antics.

"I can try! Over! To the right...a little more..."

Logan chuckles. "You can sneak away from the business stuff and give me a call if you get too bored."

"Sounds like a plan," I say. Though his words come and go without me processing them as I gasp, watching the metal claw barely grasp the chef's hat.

I hold my breath for an agonizing ten seconds. The claw lifts the bunny out of the sea of stuffed animals, though it looks like it's holding on by a thread. But Logan manages to maneuver it out of there. The machine lights up when the bunny falls into the slot, indicating a 'win.' I clap excitedly as he reaches in to retrieve my prize.

"Your bunny," he says, wiggling the stuffed animal in front of my face.

I go for it, but pout as he pulls it close to his chest. "You got your prize. Now what about mine?" he teases, green eyes sparkling with mischief.

My heart starts to betray me, beating rapidly in my chest as I take a step forward and rest my hands on his cheeks. Grounding myself helps in the kissing department, and not bumping noses certainly works to not kill the romantic mood.

I connect our lips, smiling at Logan's stunned reaction. He's most likely taken off guard by my boldness as he's the one who usually initiates our kisses. He sobers quickly, however, grabbing my waist to pull me closer, digging his nails into my skin gently yet possessively.