VII.
'You're quite the early bird, Veronica.' She looked up from her coffee, startled.
She'd spend the night at Lilly's after an evening of swimming, eating and gossiping. She woke up at half past eight, and decided to use the opportunity to make herself some breakfast before the whole household began to stir.
She'd made herself some coffee and a sandwich and sat down at the kitchen table, knowing that Lilly wouldn't leave the bed before at least ten. Duncan wasn't usually that early on the weekends so she hadn't expected him either.
But to see Logan walking into the kitchen fully dressed was, to put it lightly, shocking. She hadn't talked to him all summer, but she knew from experience he wasn't the type to get up before noon.
'I could say the same about you, Logan.'
'Haven't seen you around lately,' he said casually as he poured in a cup of coffee and took the seat opposite of her. 'I thought things had cooled between you and Lilly.'
'Well, you haven't spent much time around Lilly either. But we're fine, actually. I just had a lot to do.'
'What did I tell you, Mars? School exercises are to be made during the school year only.'
'Actually, I've been doing things that weren't school related. Are you that surprised they didn't include you?'
'Well, surprised doesn't quite cut it. I have to say I'm hurt, you living your life without me. We'll have to make up for that during the school year.'
'Hmm… I can't remember the friend-thing worked out that well for us. I think I'll just live my life and you live yours, and everybody's happy. '
She tried to keep her voice light and breezy, but the sting in her voice was evident. She took a bite of her sandwich while trying to defy his glare. She remembered the hostility in Logan's eyes the last time they'd properly talked, but it wasn't there this time. There was still a bit of an edge in his voice that hadn't been there when they'd been on friendlier terms, but there was none of the anger that had dominated their former conversation.
'I think I'll make some pancakes,' he said suddenly, jumping up from his chair. 'You want some?'
It sounded like an honest question, which surprised her. 'Yeah… okay.'
She swallowed the last piece of her sandwich, but her stomach was still rumbling. 'Do you even know how to make pancakes?'
'Always so suspicious, Mars! You don't think I can cook?'
'You have a cook! What's the use?'
'Maybe it's just a hobby? Being rich can be pretty boring, I'll tell you.'
'Poor you.'
He flashed a grin at her as he mixed eggs, milk and flour in a bowl. 'Is that jealousy?'
'I thought you knew me better than that.'
He smirked while putting a frying pan on the stove, but didn't throw something witty back at her, like she'd thought. He seemed even more fidgety than usual. 'Hey uh… so, how you've been?'
Another honest question? She eyed him suspiciously from her place at the table. 'Why are you asking?'
'Gee Ronnie, can't a man show some interest sometimes?'
He opened the cupboard to grab a bottle of maple syrup, carefully avoiding her gaze. 'Well, I've been fine.' That was a lie, but why would he care to know the truth? He wasn't really interested in her answer either, obviously mustering up the courage to say something.
'Uh… you know, I think I should apologize.'
Her mouth fell open. This conversation was getting weirder and weirder. 'I know you and Duncan, well, I don't know what happened between the two of you actually, but uh… I was just taking my anger out on you. That day, when you asked for my help. And I was being mean, and stupid.'
'So the pancakes are some sort of peace offering?'
'Uh, yeah. And I'm kinda hungry.'
Now it was her turn to smirk at him. 'Well, everything depends on your cooking skills. If I like your pancakes, I'll accept your apology. If they're lacking, however…'
He started laughing. 'Okay Mars, challenge accepted!'
She smiled at him while he made the pancakes, and had to come to a conclusion that he had some practice. She started to wonder if he'd woken up early especially to talk to her. Well, Logan Echolls always managed to surprise her.
Twenty minutes and ten pancakes later, she had supposedly reluctant accepted his apology, but couldn't help herself from smiling. She swatted his hand as he tried to snatch the remaining pancake from her plate and yelled a couple of good-natured insults at him, which he accepted with a grin.
She couldn't believe herself for admitting it, but she'd missed their bantering. Whatever their relationship had meant before, she quite liked the idea of having Logan as her friend. But she wasn't going to get her hopes up. He had barely acknowledged her after her breakup with Duncan and even after this peace offering, she didn't really know what to expect. She decided to just wait and see.
'Deep in thought?' he asked teasingly, and she realized she had zoned out for a minute. She gave him a sweet smile, but her eyes were glittering mischievously.
'Just conjuring up a master plan to kidnap you and force you to bake me pancakes every morning.'
'Slavery. You do know that would get you in trouble with the authorities.'
'Well, I have friends in high places… hey, I even know a sheriff! I think I can get away with it.'
'You have a devious mind, Mars.'
'Well, aren't you all chummy?' Lilly's voice cut through the kitchen loud and clearly, and made Veronica awfully aware of how close she and Logan had been sitting. The gleeful grin she'd seen on Logan's face only seconds ago disappeared and rapidly changed into an expression of mild annoyance. They might've parted quite amicably, or at least with a lot less drama than earlier breakups, but the former golden couple drove each other crazy just the same.
'Hey Lils.' She managed to make her voice sound like there wasn't anything awkward about the situation. 'Perfect timing as always. We just finished our pancakes the minute you walked in.'
'Oh, well. It's always great to see that my awesome best friend and my equally lovely ex-boyfriend get along so well.' Lilly's voice was dripping with sarcasm, but she beamed a smile at them before rummaging through the cupboards for a bowl and cereal. 'So Logan, how's life as a million-dollar jackass?'
'Just peachy.' Logan pushed back his chair with almost painful nonchalance. 'As much fun as this little conversation has been, I've got to get home.'
His eyes darted to Veronica, but he turned around before he could see her apologizing smile and walked towards the door. 'See you around, Ronnie.'
She felt a blush settling on her cheeks and carefully avoided Lilly's peering gaze. 'I've got to get going too, Lil. Last night was fun.'
'I know. So let's not wait another month to repeat it. Are you free on Thursday?'
'Yeah, sure.' She didn't protest as Lilly pulled her in a tight hug. 'Thursday sounds just fine to me.'
