There's Twice as Many Stars as Usual| L.S

17

Charlotte

I wake up the next morning to the sound of rustling and the sight of Mick packing his bag. Groggy and disoriented, I sit up and notice Mick glancing at me with a curious expression.

"Morning," he says, his eyes lingering on the Williams hoodie I'm wearing.

"Morning," I reply, stretching and trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.

"Is that... Logan's hoodie?" Mick asks, raising an eyebrow.

I glance down at the hoodie and nod, a slight blush creeping onto my cheeks. "Yeah, I got cold last night, and he lent it to me."

Mick gives me a knowing smile but doesn't press further. "We're leaving soon. I figured I'd get a head start on packing."

I nod, feeling a mix of gratitude and embarrassment for borrowing Logan's hoodie. I quickly gather my things and start packing my own bag, trying to focus on the task at hand. As I fold my clothes and organize my suitcase, my thoughts drift back to the quiet moments shared with Logan the night before.

I pull out my phone to check the girls group chat.

Lily
Hey Charlotte!
Any specific reason you didn't
party with us last night?

Carmen
Yeah, maybe a tall blonde?

I smile at their messages, feeling a bit shy about how transparent my feelings might be.

Charlotte
Guilty as charged.
Just needed a quiet night in.

Lily
Sure, sure. A quiet night with Logan, right?

Carmen
Spill the details! We're dying to know.

Charlotte
Haha, it was nothing serious.
We just hung out and talked.
He lent me his hoodie because I got cold.

Lily
Aww, that's sweet!

Carmen
Sounds like someone's smitten. 😉

Charlotte
Let's just say, it was a nice evening. 😊

I set my phone down, a smile lingering on my face. Mick glances over my shoulder, clearly catching a bit of my conversation.

"Seems like you had a good time last night," he teases.

"Yeah, it was nice," I admit, feeling the warmth of the memory.

"Good," Mick says with a nod. "Just remember, I'm here if you ever need to talk about anything."

"Thanks, Mick," I reply, grateful for his support. I finish packing my bag and take a deep breath, ready to face the day ahead.

"Are we going straight to Spain?" I ask.

He nods. "Yeah, we're flying over with a few of the drivers," he says, zipping up his suitcase.

"Private flight, I'm going to assume," I say, raising an eyebrow.

He nods again. "You got it."

I finish packing my things, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves for the upcoming race. The luxury of flying with the drivers was still something I was getting used to.

As we head to the airport, I can't help but think about the journey ahead. The drivers are already gathered, I spot Logan among them, his eyes lighting up when he sees me.

"Hey," he says, walking over. "Ready for Spain?"

"Absolutely," I reply with a smile.

We board the jet, settling into our seats. Logan takes the seat next to me, and Mick is across the aisle. The flight is filled with light conversation and laughter, the excitement for Spain palpable among everyone.

Once we land, we head to our hotel to settle in. The anticipation of the next race weekend is in the air, and as I unpack, I can't help but feel grateful for the experiences and connections I'm making along the way.

Later that evening, Logan texts me.

Logan
Hey, want to grab dinner tonight?

Charlotte
Sounds great. See you in the lobby in 30?

Logan
Perfect. See you soon. 😊

I put my phone down and start getting ready, eager for another night with Logan I pick out a simple but elegant dress and do a quick touch-up of my makeup. My heart flutters with anticipation as I head down to the lobby.

When I arrive, Logan is already there, looking effortlessly handsome in a casual shirt and jeans. His face lights up when he sees me, and he greets me with a warm smile.

"You look amazing," he says, offering his arm.

"Thanks," I reply, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks as I take his arm. "You don't look too bad yourself."

We decide to walk to a nearby restaurant, enjoying the cool evening air and the lively atmosphere of the city. Our conversation flows easily, filled with jokes, shared stories, and moments of comfortable silence.

At the restaurant, we settle into a cozy corner table. The ambiance is perfect, with soft lighting and a gentle hum of conversation around us. We order our meals, and as we wait, Logan leans forward, his eyes meeting mine.

"I'm really glad we're doing this," he says softly.

"Me too," I reply, feeling a warmth spread through me.

Our food arrives, and we dig in, as the meal progresses, we continue to talk about everything and anything, from our favorite movies to our dreams for the future.

After dinner, we decide to take a leisurely stroll back to the hotel. The streets are quieter now, and the night feels intimate and serene. Logan reaches for my hand, and I let him, our fingers intertwining naturally.

"Tonight was perfect," I say, glancing up at him.

"It was," he agrees, squeezing my hand gently. "And I hope we can have many more nights like this."

When we reach the hotel, we linger for a moment in the lobby, reluctant to part ways. Logan leans down and presses a soft kiss to my forehead.

"Goodnight, Charlotte," he whispers.

"Goodnight, Logan," I reply, feeling a mix of contentment and anticipation for what the future holds.