Jilted (closed)

[KiwiD82]

Logan grinned as Blythe took the liberty of ordering. It was the first time since the flight that she finally appeared to be relaxing and enjoying herself. He ordered the linguine with scallops, then asked the waiter to bring a second glass to share Blythe's wine, insisting they would take the full bottle.

And then the questioning began. It was refreshing to see Blythe shown her curiosity, because it meant she was not focusing on the wedding that never was.

"England, originally," Logan said matter-of-factly. "But I've lived in New York long enough that most people don't hear my accent."

He glanced up at the vines above them, then returned his gaze to the brunette beauty who shared his table.

"As bland as it sounds, I'm an entrepreneur. I have my own company which is doing well enough for itself that I get to make several international business trips, including this one."

Logan knew he was being vague, but he didn't want to bore Blythe with the details.

And besides, he knew she'd ask if she wanted to hear them.

"But let's face it," he quipped with a mischievous grin, "I only come here to dine with beautiful women!"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, I'm jealous. I've always wanted to see England. And maybe own my own business." Blythe said with a soft smile as she gently smoothed a napkin in her lap. "Sharing lunch with a handsome man is definitely a plus, however."

She glanced up at him, her dark eyes sparkling in the Italian sunshine. She was feeling world's away from the pitiful creature that had first boarded that plane the evening before. Human was how she could describe it. She felt absolutely human.

"So, what is the first place I should see while I'm here?" She asked him with a chuckle, knowing that he more than likely had already planned her trip for her.

 

[KiwiD82]

"Yes, London originally," Logan nodded, then offered a quick wink. "Perhaps that's where I'll take you next?"

He pondered his dining companion for a moment, enjoying the glint in her eyes now that she seemed to be relaxing and becoming more of herself. He old see why the man who had left he'd at the aisle had fallen for her. She was gorgeous and intoxicating. But that he had failed to follow through showed the other man's weakness.

Logan blushed ever so slightly when Blythe called him handsome. He'd heard the compliment many times before, but for some reason it carried extra weight when she said it.

"Piazza San Marco, a beautiful square sadly overrun ny pigeons and tourists. Get the major tourist trap put of the way first."

Logan leaned forward, as if what he said next was conspiratorial in nature.

"After that - and if you'll let me - I'd love to show you the Venice most tourists never get to enjoy."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Take me next? I kind of figured that this trip would be a one time thing." Blythe said with a smile as he winked at her. "After all, I've got a little life that doesn't exactly support a lot of international traveling. Maybe one day, but certainly not right now. This trip was suppose to be once in a lifetime."

"It's been nice. In spite of what happened before I got here, it's most definitely been nice." She murmured as he told her where to go first on her trip. "Tourists and pigeons. Got it."

As he leaned across the table, Blythe felt her hands start to sweat. He was so handsome. Did he really know how handsome he was, she asked herself as he whispered that he would show her places in Venice that tourists never got to see.

"And what places would those be?" She asked with a slight smile on her lips.

 

[KiwiD82]

"Don't count your chickens before they hatch," Logan offered when Blythe spoke of a life without international travel. "Or perhaps that should be pigeons...either way, who knows what your life has in store for you?"

Logan couldn't help but wonder what might have been if he'd met Blythe earlier; if he'd known her for years; if he had been the one to out a ring on her finger. He knew that if that had happened, the two of them would be travelling whenever it pleased them, for both business and pleasure.

But of course, that was not eat was happening now. They had only just met and this could well be their only trip together. Even so, Logan planned to make it a memorable one.

"The beauty of Venice lies in its mysteries," he said evasively, gauging Blythe's response. "But I won't leave you completely in the dark. I don't suppose you happened to pack any ball gowns, by any chance?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Nope. I left my wedding gown back in the states." Blythe said as he asked her about ballgowns. "And my closet is sadly empty of anything else of the sort. I might have a dress or two that I packed for my future husband, but I don't have much of a reason to put those to use now."

Blythe shrugged her shoulders slightly, trying to appear calm and nonchalant, but the sting was evident in her eyes. She didn't want to think about the man that had left her at the altar, but he seemed to creep into her thoughts when she least expected it. It was like a rainy dark cloud that moved in on a sunny day.

"When I found out that I was coming to Italy, I was excited and a little nervous. I wanted Florida, but he wanted somewhere exotic. It seemed a little too far and foreign for my liking but I did get excited. I could explore museums and eat so much food and be with a person that I loved. It's a horrible realization to know that the person you love doesn't love you back."

 

[KiwiD82]

Logan was surprised when Blythe mentioned her wedding dress. He hadn't expected that but what followed was both predictable and understandable.

"Blythe, I'm so sorry," he said sincerely, reaching out and taking one of her hands. "I didn't mean to..."

Logan stopped short. There was no point expressing his intentions because she surely knew he hadn't wanted to hurt her.

He paused for a while, allowing Blythe's words to settle. They held a sense of gravitas and he didn't want her to assume he wasn't taking her circumstances seriously.

"I can't speak for the choice of destination," he eventually broke the silence, still holding the jilted bride's hand. "But I for one am glad you were on that plane to Venice. You may not have wanted something exotic, but you're here now, so let's make the most of it."

He paused again, letting Blythe consider his words as he mulled over his next.

"I can cancel my meeting," he thought aloud. "I can have my deputy run things in my absence."

Logan had only known Blythe a short time, but he could tell she was a woman of substance who was deeply pained, and it hurt to think of her wandering Venice alone.

 

[heartofcourage]

"There's nothing to apologize for. You did nothing wrong." Blythe said softly as Logan leaned across the table and took her hand in his own. "I didn't mean to bring down our lovely conversation with talks of him. It just seems to happen."

She was slightly startled when he offered to cancel his meeting and spend his time with her. She instantly shook her head no, looking at him as if he were the craziest person in the world for offering that.

"Logan, you're sweet, but I can't let you do that." She murmured. "You came for business and you need to take care of that business. I can take care of myself. I promise."

 

[KiwiD82]

Logan pondered Blythe's response as he held her hand, enjoying its soft warmth. He had initially been inclined to insist, but his lunch partner's reply had been emphatic.

Blythe had had enough dictated to her, and she didn't need Logan adding his opinions to the list.

"Very well," he finally replied, nodding slowly. "But if you get lost or need any help, make sure you call me. I know how confusing it can be when you're in a foreign country for the first time."

Logan squeezed Blythe's hand gently, then let go, leaning back in his seat as their meals arrived.

 

[heartofcourage]

Blythe's belly clenched in the strangest way as Logan finally nodded and told her that he wanted to know if she got lost. This man that she had just met cared so much for her. It was strange to think about, but it also nearly brought tears to her eyes. She had been so lonely, afraid, angry, and sad when everything had so suddenly fallen apart and suddenly he was there to pick up the pieces. It was like whatever force had been out there in the universe that had so suddenly ripped away her happily ever after had taken enough pity to give it all back to her.

"I promise." Blythe said with a soft smile as the food suddenly arrived and her eyes went wide. "Wow..."

It was all she could say as her plates were placed in front of her, a tasting of various things on the menu. It was a bit overwhelming and she had no idea where to even begin starting.

 

[KiwiD82]

The waiter could never have known it, but he had brought more than food to the table: he had also brought a reprieve.

The sight of the dishes was a simple and immediately effective way to change topic. Blythe could forget her ex-fiancée for the time being and live in the moment.

Logan failed to stifle a good-natured laugh when Blythe's eyes widened so comically at the sight of the variety of options in front of her. She hesitated, indicating she couldn't decide on her first bite.

"Try something that might be familiar," he offered, pointing vaguely with his fork, "like one of the pastas. Or..."

He cracked open one of his own scallops and skewered the seafood with his fork, then offered it with a smile to the brunette beauty who sat opposite him.

"...try something exotic."

 

[heartofcourage]

Blythe glanced up at Logan as he cracked open a scallop and offered her a bite. She had to stifle a soft chuckle, looking at him with a grin on her lips as she picked up her own fork. Reaching out with her free hand, she took his challenger and brought his fork to his lips, sighing at the heavenly taste that burst across her tongue.

"The best I think I've ever had." She murmured, glancing back down at her dishes as she took his advice and started with something familiar.

Linguine with clams made her so incredibly happy. She beemed as if she didn't have a care in the world as she ate, glancing towards Logan from time to time with those expressively bright brown eyes.

 

[KiwiD82]

Logan grinned at the sight of Blythe surrendering to the flavours on his fork. It was a satisfied grin, reveling in the simple fact that despite everything else that was going on for the brunette, Logan had made her happy.

It didn't matter that the chef deserved more credit than he did, or that it was a fleeting moment as the taste dance over her tongue. It only mattered that it had happened at all.

Logan took his fork back and started eating, switching his gaze between his meal and his companion, the pair making regular eye contact.

The silence was not at all uncomfortable for Logan. He was enjoying being with Blythe, as any man would. He marveled at her beauty and her sweet soul, and despite the suddenness of their circumstances, he couldn't resist saying something.

"Has anyone told you how beautiful your eyes are?" he asked almost nonchalantly.

He knew he had possibly crossed a line, and he hated the thought of hurting Blythe, but he was speaking honestly and he thought the jilted bride deserved every compliment he could muster.

 

[heartofcourage]

Blythe paused as she took a bite of fettuccine, glancing at Logan as he mentioned that her eyes were beautiful. Her cheeks heated slightly and she gave him a shy little smile and a shrug of her shoulders before she shook her head no.

"No one has." She admitted, looking at Logan as he seemed to be studying her so intently. "Nice smile, yes. Great figure, sure. A few have said that I have a nice sense of humor. No one has ever said that my eyes are beautiful."

 

[KiwiD82]

For a few short moments, Logan stared at Blythe in disbelief. Was it truly possible that someone with such warm and expressive brown eyes had never been complimented on them?

His recovery, however, was swift.

"Ah, so they've been focusing on the obvious, then," he nodded in response to the flatteries she had received.

His fork pressed, then gripped some of his linguine and brought the pasta to his mouth, but his gaze never left hers. After the following mouthful, he continued the conversation along the same lines.

"But they must have called you intelligent?" he asked sincerely, gauging her reaction. "And brave?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Smart, yes. Mostly my parents and my professors in college. Bookworms never seen to get the handsome men." She said with a slight smile on her face as she glanced at him while sampling a piece of fish cooked in a white sauce. "Brave. I don't think I've ever heard anyone describe me as brave. I don't see myself as very brave."

Blythe had spent much of her life simply going with the flow. The need for adventure was never there until she met her fiance. He had pushed her to do things that she never thought possible, including going to Italy for their honeymoon. At the end of the day, perhaps that was something that she should have thanked him for.

 

[KiwiD82]

"Good grades prove you know how to work hard in pursuit of a desired result," Logan replied, a forkful of food moving as if to wave away Blythe's suggestion. "Anyone will work hard enough for something they desire."

He smiled then, clearly enjoying the opportunity to courteously speak his mind.

"But you're intelligent, Blythe. I can see it in your eyes and hear it in your thoughtful and witty responses."

Whatever was on his fork disappeared into his mouth, but he ate it quickly and when he spoke again, it was in a hushed tone so that nobody but Blythe could hear.

"And brave? You were betrayed at your own wedding, and yet found the courage to fly abroad all on your own to a place with a different language, where you've befriended a stranger and managed to retain your poise and elegance throughout, but without being afraid to let your emotions show when you've needed to."

Logan placed his fork down now, and reached forward to take Blythe's hand again.

"I challenge you to find a braver woman in all of Venice."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I think you give me too much credit, Logan." Blythe said softly as he took her hand and squeezed it gently. "I'm too stubborn for my own good sometimes. Besides, I was encouraged to come by his father. Sort of a way to rub the entire situation in his face, I guess."

"Maybe after you spend some more time with me, you can make a decision over whether I am really brave or not." She commented, taking another bite of her meal as they shared a causal conversation. "I will do my best to prove it to you."

 

[KiwiD82]

Logan grinned at Blythe's words, and he squeezed her hand again.

"You don't have to prove anything to me," he said softly. "I don't need convincing, but maybe you do...?"

He let the question hang there, not necessarily seeking a response, but content to let Blythe consider it.

Logan picked up his fork with his free hand and ate some more. He let his other hand stay with Blythe's, in no rush to pull back but with a grip loose enough to let her pull away if she chose to.

"The only thing I want is for you to have the time of your life in Venice."

 

[heartofcourage]

"The time of my life might be a subjective thing, but I can tell you that you are making it one of the best times that I've ever had." She said with a smile as she continued to eat until she was stuffed, only moving her hand to settle back in her seat with a content sigh. "The best food that I've ever had as well, if I'm honest."

"I'll have to call my family soon to let them know that I made it alright. I know they'll update me about my ex, but even that doesn't sound so daunting anymore." She said with a slight shrug of her shoulders. "Everything will be a distant, awful memory when it's all said and done."

 

[KiwiD82]

Logan smiled. He was proud of himself - how could he not be? At that moment, making Blythe happy seemed like the most worthwhile endeavour in the world.

He let her fingers trail away from his as she sat back, and he let out a laugh when it became clear that Blythe had eaten her fill and perhaps a little more. He finished his own meal shortly after, then poured wine into the two glasses on the table.

"Yes, definitely let your family know that you've arrived safe and well, " he nodded. "You can use my phone, if you like."

Logan hated the idea of Blythe seeing all those angry texts on her own phone, so this seemed like a simple solution. He held out his phone, still unsure if she would take it or not.

 

[heartofcourage]

Blythe glanced at Logan's phone as he offered it to her. She thought about the messages that she had been getting from her ex while at the airport and the phone call just before the plane had taken off. Was it worth seeing the nasty things that he had probably written to her if she turned on her own phone? Logan was trying to protect her for that. It was admirable, but she also felt that she were simply running away from her problems like a scared child.

"I'll do it when I'm back at the hotel." She said softly, declining the use of his phone as she picked up her wine glass. "I don't want to ruin this moment."

 

[KiwiD82]

Logan nodded, accepting Blythe's decision and pocketing his phone once more.

"You see?" he offered with a smile. "Brave."

He reached forward and picked up his wine glass, raising it to gesture a toast.

"In the meantime, then," he continued, holding out his glass, "To your health, to your happiness, and to your holiday."

Logan watched Blythe, admiring her beauty and her character. She wasn't the only one enjoying the moment.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Not brave in the least. A coward who doesn't want to cry in public." She said with a smile as Logan tucked his phone away and lifted his glass in a toast.

She grabbed her own glass and raised it along with him, smiling as he toasted to her and her alone. He was a nice guy, she thought as she brought the glass to her lips and took a sip of the dark red wine. He certainly knew how to treat a woman very well. In another time and another place, she might have considered being interested in Logan.

"I'll have to watch myself around you. I might find myself charmed beyond my wildest dreams." She said with a soft chuckle.

 

[KiwiD82]

Logan waved away Blythe's claim to cowardice, then sat back in his seat to drink his wine. He watched as she did likewise and he quickly became entranced.

He watched how her slender fingers wrapped around her glass; how her exposed neck looked as she lifted her head to take a drink; how her full lips embraced the rim and became wet from the liquid.

Logan quickly found himself pondering that he would have been more forward with his self-deprecating lunching partner were it not for her recent relational devastation. Given different circumstances, he could have imagined being the one with the brunette beauty on his arm...

Blythe's words pulled him back from his daydreaming and immediately made him smile. If only that were to happen...

"You flatter me, Blythe," he spoke softly, before taking another sip of wine. "I only want to see you happy."