Unlikely Hearts - Logan Huntzberger

Chapter Twenty Seven

Alouette tried to shake off the confusion that had been nagging at her since that morning in Logan's bed. They'd agreed to keep things casual—no strings, no expectations—but every time she was with him, it felt like more. She wasn't about to admit it, though, not to Logan and not even to herself if she could help it.

The following week, they fell back into a rhythm, hanging out at random hours between classes, at parties, or in his apartment. Their banter remained sharp and flirtatious, their chemistry undeniable, but whenever he brushed a hand against hers or gave her that knowing grin, her heart did a little flip she couldn't control. She knew she had to be careful, keep her cool, and not let him see any hint that she was feeling more than she let on.

One afternoon, they met up at his place after class. Alouette had her textbooks, ready to pretend she was studying, but it didn't take long before they were tangled together on the couch. Logan's lips skimmed along her neck as he murmured, "I swear, you're the worst study partner."

She let out a laugh. "And yet you keep inviting me over. Almost like you don't really want to study."

"Maybe I like the distraction." He smirked, his fingers playing with the hem of her shirt. "And I think you do too."

"Don't flatter yourself, Huntzberger," she shot back, playfully swatting his hand away, even as she leaned into his touch.

The casual, easygoing dynamic between them had its perks, and in moments like these, she tried to convince herself that this was enough. But there was a part of her that craved more—more than stolen kisses on the couch, more than meeting up only when it was convenient. She wanted to be able to call him without wondering if it was too much, or show up at his place without needing an excuse.

She pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the way his hand slid up her side and how his eyes darkened when he looked at her like she was the only person in the world. "You know, I could be at my apartment, actually getting work done," she teased, but the words lacked their usual bite.

"And miss out on this?" he countered, pulling her closer, his lips brushing hers. "I don't think so."

The kiss deepened, and for a while, she let herself forget about her confusion. She leaned into him, their bodies fitting together perfectly as he kissed her like he was trying to make up for lost time. But as they pulled back, and she saw the way he grinned at her, so confident and unbothered, the feeling of wanting more resurfaced.

Afterward, as they lay tangled together, the sunlight streaming through the window, Alouette felt her guard slip a bit. She stared up at the ceiling, feeling the weight of the moment settle in her chest. "You know, sometimes I wonder why you don't just date someone properly," she said casually, trying to mask the vulnerability in her tone. "Like actually go out on dates and everything."

Logan raised an eyebrow, propping himself up on his elbow to look down at her. "And miss out on all this fun? I don't think so."

She forced a laugh, brushing off the seriousness of the conversation. "Right. Wouldn't want to ruin a good thing."

He studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable, before leaning in and kissing her temple. "Exactly. We've got it figured out, don't we?"

Alouette nodded, her heart sinking a little. "Yeah, we do."

But later, when she left his apartment and walked back to hers, she felt the weight of her own words. It felt like they were figuring things out, all right—just not in the way she secretly hoped they would.

*

Alouette's day had started like any other—a mix of classes and half-hearted studying at the library. By the time she, Louise, and Finn decided to take a stroll downtown, she was grateful for the distraction. The three of them laughed and chatted as they walked, the kind of easygoing rhythm that always made her feel lighter. But all of that disappeared the moment she spotted Logan at the corner café, and her steps faltered.

From across the street, she saw him sitting at a small outdoor table, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed smile. Opposite him, Rory Gilmore laughed, her eyes sparkling as she leaned forward, seemingly hanging on every word. Logan's posture was loose, casual, the way it always was when he felt comfortable. For a moment, Alouette just stared, the world around her fading into a blur. She knew she had no right to feel hurt; after all, she and Logan weren't exclusive. They'd made that clear from the beginning—no strings attached, no expectations.

But seeing him with Rory made it hard to swallow. A dull ache settled in her chest, and she found herself gripping the strap of her bag a little too tightly. She tried to remind herself that this was what she'd signed up for, that they'd both agreed to keep things simple. So why did it feel like someone had knocked the wind out of her?

Louise followed her gaze, her face softening when she realized what Alouette was looking at. "Hey, Al, maybe we should head somewhere else."

Finn's eyes flicked between Alouette and the scene at the café. His usual grin faded, replaced with a look of concern. "Yeah, love, let's not waste our time here. Plenty of better coffee shops in town."

But Alouette couldn't pull her eyes away from Logan and Rory. Her mind raced with questions she knew she didn't have the right to ask. Why was he with her? Did it mean anything? And why, when she was the one who'd insisted on keeping things casual, did it hurt so much to see him with someone else?

Swallowing hard, she forced her gaze away and pulled out her phone, her fingers moving almost automatically as she typed a message to Alex: Hey, want to hang out later? She knew it was reckless—an impulsive move meant to distract herself and maybe even get back at Logan. But she didn't care. She needed something, anything, to take her mind off the scene she'd just witnessed.

Louise looped an arm through hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Come on, babe. Let's go grab some ice cream or something."

Finn gave her a sympathetic smile, his usual lightheartedness replaced with genuine concern. "No sense sticking around. Besides, he's probably boring her with his stock portfolio."

With a nod, Alouette let them guide her down the street. Despite their well-meaning intentions, she couldn't shake the heaviness in her chest. As they walked, she reached for her phone, contemplating a distraction. Maybe a spontaneous meet-up would take her mind off Logan. She texted Alex, her on-and-off fling, hoping he'd be available. Hey, want to hang out later?

When her phone buzzed with his response, her heart sank. Sorry, can't. Got plans with the guys. She felt a twinge of disappointment, but it quickly morphed into something else—a resolve to find another distraction.

"Who else can we call?" Louise asked, glancing at her knowingly.

Alouette's mind raced, running through a mental list of names. A few potential candidates flashed through her thoughts, but they all felt wrong. Then it hit her—Tristan Dugray. They had dated back in sophomore year, and he was in town for a visit. They had ended things amicably, and despite their past, he could provide the perfect escape.

"Tristan," she said suddenly, her voice breaking through the fog of her emotions.

"Tristan Dugray?" Louise raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in her tone.

"Yeah, he's in town. I'll text him." Alouette's fingers flew across the screen as she typed a quick message, asking if he wanted to grab coffee or something.

As she hit send, she felt a rush of adrenaline mixed with anxiety. What was she thinking? She barely knew if they could just be friends, but anything felt better than wallowing in the pain of seeing Logan and Rory together.

"Okay, but if you start reminiscing about how cute you two were, I'm cutting you off," Louise teased, nudging her playfully.

Alouette laughed, but deep down, she knew it was true. Seeing Tristan might not be the distraction she hoped for, but it was better than standing around feeling sorry for herself. As they continued down the street, she couldn't help but glance back one last time, but Logan was already gone, leaving her to wonder if this new plan would really work or if it would only lead her deeper into confusion.