OOM

[obligatoryass]

Logan checked the door one last time, just to make sure it would continue to open to Neptune. How embarrassing would it be if it didn't open? Or worse, opened somewhere boring, like Indiana.

Fortunately, the Neptune Grand is right on the other side, and he leaves the door open a crack, just in case Bar should decide to play a cruel, cruel trick on them both. But it seems the trip is likely to go off as planned.

He turns as he hears a knock on the door and goes to answer it.

Comments

[obligatoryass]

"Awesome," Logan says, leading her back to the car.

He'll drive safer this time. He thinks.

[kitchen_maid]

And she'll know what to expect, which will help.

"It's . . ." she says, watching the landscape go by, ". . . it's almost like we're still and the world is rushing past, isn't it?"

[obligatoryass]

"I never really thought about it," Logan says. "But yeah, kinda. Maybe next time you come visit, I'll teach you to drive."

He jokes. Really.

[kitchen_maid]

Amy looks at the dozens of lights and knobs and levers and gauges and things she doesn't even have names for in the Xterra and laughs.

"I think I'll stick to riding, but thank you," she says.

[obligatoryass]

"Suit yourself," Logan says. "We could start with the boat. There's less traffic, but it's bigger."

Speaking of, look! A marina.

[kitchen_maid]

Funny how that happens.

"It's lovely, Logan," says Amy, with a smile. The sun and the breeze suit her far more than the florescent lights and air conditioning of the mall ever could.

[obligatoryass]

"It is, isn't it?"

Sometimes fresh eyes help you appreciate old things even more. Such as now, when he really takes in the scene and smiles. "That's our - my - boat down there."

Because without Aaron, it is his, isn't it?

[kitchen_maid]

Well, Trina may have some claim to it. But probably Logan's.

It doesn't look like any boat Amy has ever seen before, but then, she hasn't seen all that many.

"Definitely not yellow," she says, with a grin.

"I suspect I'd spend a lot of time here, if I lived here," says Amy.

[obligatoryass]

"I do," Logan says, then amends it to, "I used to, anyway. Especially before Lilly died. We used to spend days at sea, sometimes, just because we could."

And they'd do nothing but eat and drink and have sex and sometimes swim, but that's more information than Amy needs.

"I should come out here more often."

[kitchen_maid]

Far more information.

"Why don't you?"

[obligatoryass]

Logan shrugs, looks down. "It's more fun when you've got company."

That's true enough, as far as it goes, but there's also some not-so-happy memories - times with family, for instance, or getting stood up by Veronica.

Mostly, though, boating alone is less fun.

[kitchen_maid]

More dangerous, too. Not that seems overly likely to factor into Logan's decision.

"Well, company you have. So shall we?"

[obligatoryass]

Not so much, no.

Logan grins and starts hauling in ropes. "Let's."

[kitchen_maid]

"Is there anything I can help with? That I won't simply make a complete mess out of?"

[obligatoryass]

Logan hands her a rope and points to the dock. "Make sure we don't hit that," he says. "Just push us off if we get to close. I'm going to start the engine now, and I'll be able to correct our course, just not see how close we are. Keep an eye on both sides, if you can."

[kitchen_maid]

Amy blinks twice and then nods. "All right," she says, trying to keep all that in her mind.

"It's not a crisis, though, if I get this wrong?"

[obligatoryass]

"Nah," Logan says, smiling reassuringly. "The boat's tough. It can take it. Also, those rubber things will help protect it."

He indicates the blue rubber bumpers that hang off the side of the boat. They're large and very blue, and very reassuring. He hopes.

[kitchen_maid]

"They're very blue," says Amy.

And fortunately, they're off without Amy's having to do anything other than watch carefully.

[obligatoryass]

But not, happily, BLUE.

And it's a perfect day for boating, even if your boat is almost, but not quite, a yacht. The only reason it isn't a yacht is that Aaron liked to go out alone, and with a yacht, you need a crew.

It's hard to have private assignations with a crew. Not impossible, but hard.

[kitchen_maid]

Amy's narration blinks at all that on her behalf, and is grateful that it was none of it said aloud.

"This is glorious, Logan."

[obligatoryass]

Logan beams. "It kind of is, isn't it? Fully stocked with food, wine and music. Perfect for a party for two."

[kitchen_maid]

"Sounds like a lovely afternoon," she says.

Even if there is absolutely no way, Mr. Echolls, this is going to turn into the sort of party of two you might usually have alone with a young lady on your boat.

[obligatoryass]

"Isn't it? Perfect for a boat ride."

Like most days in SoCal. And Logan has NO intention of making this into THAT kind of party, thank you.

He may not be a great guy, but he's trying to manage "good" at least.

[kitchen_maid]

Well, Amy never suspected that he was. Her narration is just looking out for her. As one's narration does, one hopes.

"Thank you, Logan. For bringing me. You'll have to come visit my world some time."

That will be interesting.

[obligatoryass]

Narration does have a very important role in protection. As well as plot point promotion.

Logan ducks his head modestly. "I'd love to. And I totally can't wait until the wedding, by the way. I love weddings."

He does, too. No one watches the bar at weddings. And the food is usually pretty great.