Invisible String

Chapter 26 -Dress shopping

"Oh my god, you're going on a date with him?!" Vanessa asked, her voice practically vibrating with excitement as she stepped into the apartment.

"Shhhh!" I immediately hissed, my eyes darting toward the bathroom door. Logan was in the shower, but I had no doubt he could hear her screeching from a mile away. "He can hear you, Nessa!"

Vanessa's grin widened, absolutely unrepentant about her noise level. "I can't believe this. You, going on a date with Logan? Finally! You two have been circling each other for ages. I'm dying to know everything—spill it!" She dropped onto the couch, zero interest in my attempt to keep this a low-key conversation.

I sighed, rubbing my temples as I tried to gather my thoughts. "Okay, so... it all kind of blew up two days ago. We had this... I don't know if I'd even call it a fight. More like this intense conversation. Things just came out, like whether we were just hooking up or if there was actually more to it." I felt my face heat up at the memory, as raw and vivid as if it had just happened. "I haven't been here that long, but I can't pretend I didn't feel something for him from the start."

Vanessa's eyes softened, a knowing smile on her lips. "And what did he say? About... everything?"

I took a deep breath. "He wants to try. He asked me on an actual date, Nessa. Like, he said it straight out—'Go out with me.' I thought he was joking, but he wasn't."

She let out a little squeal of delight. "Oh my god, I knew it! This is perfect!"

"Yes, but there's more," I said, biting my lip. "I also told him I'm moving out. Alexa mentioned she could find a place for me as soon as next week."

Vanessa's excitement faltered for a moment, her brows knitting together as she processed my words. "Wait, you're moving out? But... why now? You just agreed to go on a date with him! Isn't that kind of... counterproductive?"

I shrugged, feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety. "I know, but I don't want to confuse things. Living with him while we're trying to figure this out—it feels like too much, you know? I think having my own space might help us see if this is really what we want. Plus, I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a little vulnerable."

She nodded slowly, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "Okay, I get it. But also, don't you think it's kind of romantic? Like, the whole 'will they, won't they' but with real stakes now?"

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help smiling. "You've been reading too many romance novels."

Vanessa's grin softened, her eyes warm with understanding. "And that's exactly why you're ready for this. You're not just diving in because it feels good in the moment—you actually know what you want this time."

I nodded, feeling the weight of her words settle over me. "I mean, after everything with Noah, I never thought I'd let anyone in again. For a while, I didn't even trust my own shadow. But Logan... he's just different. From the start, he's shown me that I can feel safe, that I can let my guard down without losing myself."

I paused, taking a deep breath. "But I also want to know who I am outside of a relationship. Moving out, being on my own—it's going to be a whole new chapter. I feel like I'll finally have the space to figure myself out, to become someone I'm proud of. And maybe... that'll help me be a better person, too."

She nudged me with her shoulder, grinning. "You're already pretty amazing, you know?"

"Given the chance, I could be even more amazing," I teased, nudging her back.

Vanessa raised her eyebrows. "Alright, Miss Amazing, where are you going for this date? And what are you wearing?"

I groaned, sinking further into the cushions. "He won't tell me! So, I don't know if I'm supposed to dress up or just wear jeans and a sweater."