Bittersweet Love

Chapter 1

Carlos:

While Logan was showering, James and Katie appeared. They were very excited, said that they had finally found a girl for me. To be honest, yes, the girl - Emily - was really great. But it just didn't make sense to me. So I told James and Katie it wouldn't work. Katie reacted angrily and then headed into town to meet her mother. James's disappointment was limited. Since I wasn't interested in Emily, James took over the task of looking after her. In other words, he asked her out on a date - typical James.

In the evening I return to the apartment. Logan is humming in the kitchen, preparing dinner. "Hey, Carlitos. Where's James?"

I feel a slight sting.

'Does he like James more than me?'

"Why do you ask?"

He points to the oven behind him. "Dinner's ready."

'Of course.'

"James won't come. He has a date," I say and shrug. Logan looks at me in disbelief, then sighs dramatically. "Well, then I guess I made my special lasagna for nothing."

'Mmmhh . . . Logan's special lasagna, yummy.'

But something confuses me.

'Where's Kendall?'

I ask Logan about it, and he rolls his eyes. "He's still out with Jo, and Mrs. Knight is in town with Katie. And that means-"

"We're alone," I finish his sentence, my heart beating violently in my chest. He nods and suddenly grins.

'One day he'll kill me with that smile.'

"Well, Carlos, I hope you're hungry."

I laugh. "Logan, you know I'm always hungry."

He laughs too and turns to the oven to get the lasagna out. A thought occurs to me. I try not to think about it, but I can't help it. And before I can stop myself, I ask, "Why don't you ask Camille if she wants to eat with us?"

'Why can't I just shut up?'

Instead of looking forward to being alone with Logan, I ask about Camille. But actually the reason is clear: she makes Logan happy, and I love it when he's happy. But now he doesn't look happy at all. On the contrary, he looks sad.

'Why?'

Logan sighs. "That would be great, of course, but her father will never allow that. You know he doesn't like me."

"I could ask him . . ."

He smiles sadly. "Thanks, but he would think you wanted to help me so I could be alone with her. You can't argue with that man." He shakes his head. "Ah, enough of that. Let's eat."