Page 61 of To Love or to Lose
Most times, I conclude it’s my conscience working against me, forcing me to see situations from different viewpoints. Yet almost every situation ends with me predicting Genevieve’s.
“I used to wonder if anything would ever happen between them, but it’s not realistic for them.” We get to her car, and she unlocks the doors.
“Why do you think that?” I ask once we’re in the car.
“Logan and Winnie like each other—that much has been obvious for years. I’m not sure either of them thinks the feeling is mutual enough to risk their friendship.” Unlike me, she doesn’t seem very hopeful for the progression of Logan and Winnifred’s relationship.
“So, why would you laugh when I brought it up like it was some absurd notion?”
“Because it’sLogan and Winnie,” she says, like it’s that simple. “Everyone can see their feelings stretch further than what you can see on the surface, but no one ever announces it.”
“So, you truly think nothing will come of them?” If she says no, I will be convinced that she’s lying.
“I think if it’s meant to be, then it will be.” That was the end of the conversation.
By the time we get Winnie out of her house and over to Logan’s, she is fully convinced we’re going to have dinner with Logan’s family.
She has no idea what’s waiting for her beyond the front doors of the Callaghan house.
Logan knows how much Winnie hates being the center of attention, yet when he’s the one who pushes her out of hercomfort zone, she can’t get herself to say no. Which is why this is the year he’s finally throwing her a party.
“I don’t understand why we had to dress up so fancy for this. It’s just Logan’s house,” Winnie scoffs. I’ve heard through the grapevine—Eloise—that Winnie comes over to the Callaghan house for dinner at least once a week. Not that Winnie necessarily hides the fact.
She knocks on the front door, and Logan answers almost immediately, wearing a tux with a cloth napkin draped over his forearm.
“What the hell?” Winnie laughs, still not seeing the full production happening inside the house. All that’s running through my head isplease break out in song and dance like in Beauty and the Beast.
“Ladies.” Logan bows, making a spectacle of laying an arm out as we enter the house.
I am honestly impressed beyond belief at how much Logan can get done in less than twelve hours.
Then, I remember this is what he is known for. The Callaghan’s house has been the central party spot of our school since Wren and Kai like to leave town quite often.
The entryway is covered in pink and gold decorations, including the balloons covering the entire stair railing, and a balloon arch that leads into the kitchen. A giant banner hangs from the top of the living room entrance, with the words ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY WINNIE CARTER!’ printed on it.
“Oh, my…” Winnie trails off as she looks around the room, pure awe written all over her face.
Eloise leans closer to whisper in my ear, “And this is only the entryway.”
We laugh as we watch Logan lead Winnie further into the party, pointing out everything he’s done all day in preparation.
Suddenly, Jameson appears behind me in the same type of tux as Logan, with an identical cloth napkin on his arm.
I can’t help but scoff at the sight. “Not you too.”
He smirks. “Logan dragged me into it.”
Eloise and I look at each other, and all she can say is, “Of course, he did.”
Jameson and I have come to a nonverbal agreement tonight—a ceasefire that has been called in honor of our best friends.
I want this night to be special for Winnie, and he wants to help Logan accomplish that.
We both understand one another’s intentions, and it’s relieving to know we have grown mature enough to recognize when and where our arguments and banter are suitable.Jameson’s always had that perspective, it’s me that's had to grow into it.
We continue down the hall, where the entryway opens into the living room on the left and the kitchen on the right. The couches and coffee table have been removed and replaced with dinner tables, making Logan’s living room look like a five-star restaurant, decorated in pink and gold.
“This is absolutely gorgeous,” I sigh, as I take a seat at our group’s designated table near the wall of windows looking out into the backyard.
