Chapter 4
January 4th, 2016
Logan arrived at Flake for brunch fifteen minutes early on purpose. He'd chosen the location in Venice Beach because it was close to his home; he'd needed the walk. Logan had already come clean to Lilly about his coffee house proposal. About his plans. His disappointment. But he could be an adult about it. He refused to be the blindsided wimp who hid out and didn't face reality.
The fact was that it had taken him too long to realize what he was missing. The fact was that he should have told her how he felt years ago; he'd had plenty of opportunities. The fact was that he had been banking on her not being ready for a serious relationship before him—that she wouldn't fall in love while he was figuring out how to live in his skin, to be happy. The fact was that none of that mattered...she was engaged to Duncan Kane.
He groaned out loud, planted his elbows on the table and dropped his head into his hands. He massaged his temples with large circles for a moment, the knowledge that he could have prevented the current situation he found himself in by just being open with Veronica, by taking a risk, which caused his stress headache to intensify rather than wane.
After a moment he was able to regroup. He shut all negative thoughts out of his head. Logan had made his bed and he'd lie in it. His newfound maturity wasn't just a show. He had coping skills now and a future ahead of him. Veronica had been his best friend forever. She was the love of his life. If she had found someone to be happy with—someone she wanted to spend the rest of her life with—then he would put on his poker face and fake being happy for her until he actually grew to be happy for her.
Decision made, Logan sat up straight, ready to ask the waitress if there was a drugstore nearby where he could get some Advil to get rid of this headache. He was surprised to see Lilly sitting across the table from him. She looked concerned, and he couldn't believe she'd kept quiet this long.
"How long have you been sitting there?" he asked, dropping his hands to his lap. He wished she hadn't seen that.
"Long enough to watch you fall apart and then regroup. I even said your name a few times, but you were lost to the world." She leaned forward and put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm worried about you," she said bluntly, her eyes piercing his. "I know that Duncan and Veronica have got us all—"
Logan didn't want to think about them anymore. "I'm just stressed in general. So much is going on. As for our friends, I've decided to be happy for them. If Veronica and Duncan are happy and in love, why would I ever want to change that?" He ignored Lilly's blatant scoff. "No, really. I admit that this wasn't part of my plan, but I've got to grow up. If someone I love has found the love of her life—"
This time Lilly choked on the water she was drinking.
"What is your problem?" he asked, frustrated. "I'm trying here!"
"I'm sorry, it's just you—watching you sit there and lie to me—lie to yourself. It's pathetic. Thank god I don't have anything in my stomach right now." Lilly's eyes were narrowed on him and he could see that she was looking straight into him.
Determined to keep up his new attitude, Logan continued, "Lil, it can't be that bad. They love each other."
Lilly cackled mirthlessly. "Would you please take a step back and listen to yourself right now? I haven't talked to you in days. Being in that house with my family is slowly killing my spirit the way it's done Veronica's. She's a fucking robot, Logan."
That got his attention. Veronica hadn't been one to kowtow to others since they were kids. She'd been a bit naïve at the beginning of high school, but things had changed after her mother had left. She'd come into her own. But Lilly was pretty riled up. He decided to make light of it, and smirked at her, raising one eyebrow. "A robot, Lilly? You don't think you're being a tad dramatic?"
"No! Not at all. The way she dresses and the plans they're making. I mean, she works and he's living here now. What's the rush?"
"Because if they're in love, why wait? Your family has the means to push any event through at a minute's notice. And by spring or summer, Veronica will have earned enough time off work to—"
"Logan, they're getting married on Valentine's Day."
The disdain in Lilly's voice was palpable. Valentine's Day was under five weeks away, and Veronica had never been one to buy into Hollywood's commercially packaged version of romance. She was, of course, a romantic, but the thought of a Valentine wedding would be enough to make the Veronica they'd grown up with hurl. Veronica hated trite.
"Are you serious?" Logan's jaw dropped.
"As a heart attack! Veronica swears she's not pregnant!" Lilly threw her arms up in the air.
Logan froze for a moment. The thought hadn't even crossed his mind.
"Why do you think I've been calling you to move up this lunch? They want to talk to us and get this show on the road. I'm the maid of honor, of course, and I assume you'll be the best man. If you'd returned anyone's calls, you'd know that already."
Logan's mind was still reeling. He was back to his original stance on this whole affair. It was just so not Veronica. "How can she even plan all this with her work schedule?"
"That's just the thing, she's not! It's the damn Celeste Kane Show with Veronica and Duncan along for the ride. Celeste is dictating the number of attendants and the color scheme—"
"Veronica would never stand for that," Logan interrupted.
"She is! I can't figure it out for the life of me. And V isn't talking. Believe me, I've tried to get it out of her! I took her to coffee and I even dragged her all the way to Pasadena to Burke Williams. I figured it would get us far enough away that I could actually talk to her without worrying about Celeste's eyes and ears overhearing; you know she has spies all over town! But I got nothing."
Before she had finished her speech, Logan was back to holding his face in his hands. When the waitress came around to take their order, he just shook his head and waved her off without even looking up. "Why is Veronica doing this?"
"I know you're as confused as I am, and I want you to listen to me for a moment," Lilly said. He felt her tug his hands away from his head, and he lifted his face to meet her gaze. "I'd like to throw out a theory—" He opened his mouth to interrupt, but Lilly silenced him with a death glare and a holding out of her hand. "As I was saying, I'd like to propose a theory, and I want you to actually consider it. Let it marinate as we order our food."
"Lilly!" His mind was still on overdrive about the pregnancy.
"No! It's my turn. If you're the responsible adult you claim to be now, you'll hear me out," Lilly pressed.
Logan sighed. There really was no stopping her. "I'm listening."
"To say that Celeste is walking all over V is an understatement. Veronica insists that she's busy at work and that Celeste is better at the socialite stuff than she is, but the truth of the matter is that Veronica isn't at all emotionally invested in this wedding."
"Why would she not be emotionally invested in her own wedding? Even if she is pregnant, Lilly, that's ridiculous. You've been talking about your weddings since middle school." Logan found himself unable to sit still, constantly readjusting his position in the seat.
"I don't think she's pregnant. If she were, this would all make more sense. And it brings me to my hypothesis." Logan knew that Lilly plainly saw him roll his eyes, but she ignored it and continued, "She's settling."
"I can't believe you see your best friend marrying your politician, rich as Croesus, too-nice-for his-own-good brother as settling," Logan scoffed. Duncan was always the good guy to Logan's more broody personality.
"Well, if money and power are your goals in life," Lilly feigned coughing as she said "Celeste!" under her breath, "then Duncan's a great catch. He's not a bad guy, but he's not for her."
"Veronica's always been sold on the fairy tale," Logan interjected. "She was always after the doting husband and white picket fence and two point four children. Okay, so the pit bull isn't quite as picturesque as a golden retriever, but you get my point. Maybe she realized that Duncan fit the bill after all," Logan countered.
Lilly shook her head. "I'm not buying it! Veronica always wanted the passion, but she was willing to work for it. She got scholarships and loans for school and is working her way up the food chain at her law firm. Don't you see? She wanted it all earned. She's got more fight in her than this. She does believe in the fairy tale, and I'm telling you, Logan, this isn't it."
Lilly stopped talking abruptly when her phone pinged with an incoming text. Lilly's face erupted into a sly smile as she turned to the waitress who Logan hadn't realized had returned.
"I'll take the Super Cro-Jo. After the week I've been through, I deserve carbs!" she declared.
Logan felt all eyes turn on him; he hadn't even peeked at the menu yet. Lilly, never one to miss a chance to take charge, spoke up quickly. "My stunned-into-silence friend will take the Bacon Burrito with the avocado on the side." Lilly handed the waitress the menus and Logan thought he managed a quick nod. "And we're expecting a third. She'll take the S.G.S." She turned back to Logan.
"Logan, I heard everything you said on New Year's Eve loud and clear. Why don't you tell Veronica? You both care about each other. She doesn't know everything. She doesn't know that you've grown up. I'm pretty sure thinks you're off the market and has no idea that you feel this way about her," Lilly pulled Logan's hand across the table and held it tightly.
Logan sighed. There was no point in denying it. "You're right. She probably doesn't know," Logan admitted. "I was ready to tell her, but this whole thing has thrown me for a loop. That said, I'm not sure you're right, Lilly. She might not even remember the proposal all those years ago." Logan was thankful for the coffee put in front of him. He needed something to do with his hands and busied himself with adding sugar and some milk from the creamer on the table. He looked up to find Lilly smiling deviously and a terrible feeling rushed through him. Lilly had said they were expecting a third. "And if you invited her here without asking me for some sort of declaration of...of…"
"Love?" A third voice cut in. Logan nearly knocked over his mug in surprise as he turned to look into the face of the last person he expected to see at that moment.
"Phil? What are you doing here?"
"Well, hello to you too. 'What are you doing here?' That's the thanks I get for flying over five thousand miles at a moment's notice." Philippa leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I forgive you," she teased.
Logan was still too shocked to make a move or return the gesture. This couldn't be happening.
"Yay! You're here just in time!" Lilly squealed, standing to hug Philippa.
Logan was still dumbfounded. "No, really. What are you doing here?"
"Lilly, here, called in for reinforcements. And not a moment too soon, I'd wager." Without a sideways glance, Philippa grabbed an unused chair from the table next to them and popped it down between him and Lilly. "I hope you ordered me something tasty," she stated to neither of them in particular as she took off her jacket and casually flung it over the back of her chair before regally sitting down at the table. "The food on the flight resembled boiled shoe leather; I avoided it altogether. And then the Uber driver got lost. I'm positively famished."
Though Phillipa was talking, as she always did, to no one in particular, she gave Logan a long look. She, like Lilly, could see right through him, and Logan hated how transparent he'd become.
"I ordered you something on an English muffin," Lilly answered, shrugging. "It seemed appropriate."
Philippa rolled her eyes and Logan couldn't help the chuckle that escaped from him. Phil hated people treating her like a quintessential Brit, even though that's exactly what she was. "Lovely," she drolled.
Philippa's spine, he noticed, didn't touch the back of the chair, and although she sat with perfect posture, she somehow looked at ease. She was always comfortable in her skin. Other than the fact that she was slight, she was the exact opposite of Veronica—tall and willowy with legs for days. Her dark brown hair fell loosely around her shoulders, but she quickly pulled it up into a messy bun and secured it. It was a sure sign that she meant business. And since she'd clearly been talking to Lilly, Logan was suddenly very afraid.
Philippa waved down the waitress and ordered herself a cup of tea before turning back to her companions. "So, let's get right to it, shall we?"
"We shall!" Lilly countered, lovingly imitating Phillipa's accent. She smiled brightly and clapped her hands, her eyes wide. Philippa joined in with a grin of her own and Logan knew that life as he knew it would never be the same.
"I don't suppose there's any chance you haven't exchanged stories, filled in all the blanks and already come up with a plan for how to fix all of my life's problems," he quipped with faux cheer, "because that would be fabulous!" His words dripped with sarcasm.
Lilly's devious smile was enough of an answer.
Philippa opened her bag and pulled out a laptop. "What?" she said to his stunned look. "It was a long flight. I made some notes!"
"Phil! This is my life you're arranging here, not some charity event," he said tightly.
"Oh, good point! I could probably get both done while I'm out here if I just swap a few things around…" she replied dryly. "Fine!" she relented, clicking the laptop closed again. "The way we see it—"
"We being you two, I presume?" He waved his finger between the two of them.
Philippa ignored him. "...you have exactly forty days to break up the wedding and steal the bride. Shouldn't be a problem!"
"Break up a wedding? And how do you even know Veronica wants to be stolen?" he asked, incredulous.
"Do you love her?" Lilly asked.
"That's inconsequential." Logan dragged his hand through his hair and sighed as he leaned back in his chair. "She's engaged to my best friend. She's getting married in less than five weeks."
"That's a lifetime away! Do you love her or not?" Lilly demanded.
He sat up straight in his chair again.
"Oh, he loves her!" Philippa interjected knowingly.
"Why do I need to be here at all? You guys are already finishing my sentences for me! You two can just send me the schedule of subterfuge when it's complete and we can all be on our way," he buried his face in his hands.
"Good title!" Philippa said, moving to open her laptop again. Without looking up, Logan reached out and stopped her.
"So what if I love her? What if she doesn't love me?" He peeked out from behind his hand. "She's shacking up with your brother, Lilly. You said it yourself, she could be pregnant."
"No, I thought so too, but Lilly said no," Philippa responded as she reached for his coffee. He held strongly onto his cup.
"They don't live together," Lilly countered. "And I don't think so. She still lives with her dad. She works all the time, and they had separate hotel rooms. I don't think they've done the deed."
"They're engaged!" Logan pressed, not wanting to think of Veronica with Duncan, but not wanting to skirt the issue.
Lilly made a gagging sound. "Veronica said they were waiting. Duncan wanted to wait. I've never seen anything more than hand holding and chaste kisses. I'm not saying he's a virgin, but I think V's telling the truth. Plus, I heard the parentals warning him about it, and he agreed."
"Okay, that's just wrong," Philippa chimed in as she reached to take the cup and saucer from the waitress with a smile of acknowledgment.
"Which part? The waiting or the parents?" Lilly inquired, reaching over to snag Logan's coffee mug.
"Both," Logan grimaced as he reclaimed it. "And get your own." If he wasn't going to drink before noon, he'd need the caffeine buzz.
"This whole thing is wrong and yet surprisingly exciting," Philippa announced. "I thought you were going home to win her over. Next thing I know, she's engaged to someone else and I'm flying halfway around the world for an intervention."
"That's why we have to do something. And soon; now—" Lilly's palm came down hard on the table, shaking Philippa's teacup. "—we can't let her do this. Duncan can't stand up to Celeste. Veronica will live under their shadow forever. How long before she's like Duncan...a puppet." She turned her gaze to Logan. "You saw her New Year's Eve. She doesn't even look like herself anymore."
That, Logan admitted, was true enough.
"Valentine's Day wedding, Logan," Lilly reminded him.
He groaned. This was all so decidedly unVeronica that it was sickening. "Right! Where do we start?" he relented.
"Well, since you won't just talk to her, we start by testing out Veronica's feelings for you!" Lilly replied as if this was obvious. "We start with you actually returning your friend's phone calls and setting up this face-to-face so we can all spend some quality time together. And if you bring a surprise guest—you know, up the ante by bringing a little competition…" Lilly let the sentence trail.
"Oh, she means me!" Philippa interjected between sips with a nod.
"Yeah, I gathered that." Logan rolled his eyes.
"The tabloids have already practically announced your engagement. Let's see how Veronica reacts to you receiving a little pre-nuptial visit from across the pond," Lilly affected the accent again. "I love doing that!"
"That's right—let's play games like it's high school all over again. This is your grand plan?" Logan groaned.
"Not the whole plan, dummy, just step one!" Lilly reached into her purse and pulled out her phone. She quickly pressed a few buttons and handed the phone over to Logan, who scowled at her.
"Right now?!" he protested.
"No time like the present," Philippa piped up brightly, nodding her head in encouragement.
Logan was about to disconnect when he suddenly heard Duncan's voice through the line. "Lilly. Where did you sneak off to so early?"
"No, Duncan, it's Logan...I just stole her phone. We're at brunch. Sorry I've been MIA, man. Business and all, you know how it is. So, I hear you want us all to get together…"
January 10th, 2016
Logan took Lilly's arm as they entered the swank restaurant. He'd suggested Mama Leone's but had been immediately shut down by Duncan. Logan was more nervous than he'd thought he would be. He'd known these people more than half his life, but with all the warnings from Lilly and the instructions from Phil, he felt like he was having lunch with pod versions of his old best friends. Veronica and Duncan were already seated at the table facing away from them. He took that moment to force himself to calm his nerves.
This is Veronica and Duncan, your best friends. These aren't pod people. They just happen to be the target this afternoon, but keep your cool, Echolls. Observe. This is your big moment to feel things out for yourself. Maybe the girls have been overreacting and sucked you in.
As they approached the table, Duncan turned around to face Lilly and Logan, a congenial smile immediately spread across his face. "Here he is! The prodigal son has returned," Duncan teasingly announced, standing to greet them. Logan quickly stepped forward to give Duncan a half-hug and noticed the moment Veronica turned to face them. She looked nervous again. A shy smile spread across her features and she hastily looked down as she took a step forward and gave him a brief hug. Logan forced himself to let go after only a second.
"Prodigal seems a little theatrical, Duncan. I haven't done anything interesting in months. I've been busy. You must know all about that—politician that you are." Logan nodded to Lilly and then took her arm again to walk her around the table to their seats. He noticed that Veronica still had trouble meeting his gaze. She looked nice though. She wasn't as Stepford wife as he'd feared. Her casual dress was knee length and flattering. The cardigan she wore over it was a little Veronica circa 2002, but it was all a far cry from the tweed-like monstrosity of New Year's Eve.
"I try to make time for my friends," Duncan replied pointedly. "Especially in the wake of such an occasion."
Logan watched as Veronica elbowed Duncan in the side and then suddenly busied herself with arranging her napkin and silverware. Her demure countenance made him cringe. No, this wasn't his Veronica. Logan managed a sideways glance at Lilly, whose eyes widened in an 'I told you so' manner.
Veronica surprised him by speaking up first. "Oh, Duncan, what's important is that he's here now!" she said, her eyes finally darting up to meet Logan's for a split second. She pulled off the cardigan and turned slightly to place it over the chair behind her. "I don't know why this feels awkward. The four of us practically lived together for three summers," she blushed, turning to Lilly.
"Yes, and you two a couple again. It's like a blast from the past," Lilly replied evenly, her eyes never leaving Veronica's. Logan could feel the tension and didn't miss Veronica's eyes silently pleading with her friend to play nice.
"Yes!" Duncan spoke up, leaning over to chastely kiss Veronica on the cheek. He whispered something to Veronica and she hastily turned to put the cardigan back on. "We found our way back to each other. It's been wonderful. I feel like we just fit back together like pieces of a puzzle." he took Veronica's hand in his.
"How very...convenient," Lilly replied diplomatically.
"Cold, Veronica?" Logan couldn't help but ask pointedly through gritted teeth.
"She's fine," Duncan answered. "Just a lot of skin to show at brunch."
"Are you going to cut her meat for her too, Big Brother?" Lilly snarked.
"What's that?" Duncan asked, distracted by someone over Logan's shoulder.
Logan couldn't hold it in. "She asked if you were going to—"
"Will you excuse us for a moment? I'd like to introduce Veronica to someone." Duncan didn't wait for a response, but took Veronica by the hand, pulled her to standing, and then ushered her away from the table.
Logan peaked over his shoulder to see Veronica dutifully being led around a table of businessmen across the room.
"Still think I'm crazy?" Lilly hissed, following his gaze and leaning close to him.
"No, this is torture," Logan responded. "Did he really tell her to put her sweater back on?" Logan asked, taking a deep breath. "How are we going to get through this?"
Lilly's smile was sly as she waved a hand to catch the waiter's attention. "A bottle of champagne, please? Veuve Clicquot? Maybe a 2004 La Grande Dame," she added hopefully.
The waiter nodded and turned to leave.
"We're toasting this?" Logan muttered throwing an arm wide in the direction of Duncan and Veronica.
"We're drinking our way through it, Logan. And on Duncan's dime, so order the good stuff," she whispered back under her breath.
"Let's make that two bottles!" Logan spoke up, suddenly sure that was the only way he'd make it through lunch.
"Plus, this is how we can be sure once and for all that she's not knocked up!" Lilly whispered.
Crap! "Right!" He'd blocked that part out.
A moment later, Duncan and Veronica returned. "Sorry about that," Duncan murmured, pulling out the chair for Veronica and then taking his own seat.
"No problem at all," Lilly announced. "It gave Logan and I a moment to catch up. I think we're finally on the same page." Lilly's eyes lit up when the waiter came back. "Oh, the service here is excellent! I took the liberty of ordering some champagne," she explained as he poured an ounce into one flute for her to taste. She closed her eyes in appreciation as she swallowed the liquid and then nodded her head at the waiter to indicate that she approved.
When the flutes had been passed out, Logan hastened to deliver the toast. "To the happy couple who have found their way back to each other," and a situation that truly defies logic, he added silently.
"Hear, hear," they all replied and clinked glasses.
Logan watched Veronica intently as he took a sip, willing her to take one as well. She raised the glass to her lips slowly. Just as she was about to take a sip, lowering it to cautiously laugh at something that Duncan said. Then she set the flute down for a moment. It was torture. When she did pick it up again, she didn't drink. She, listening intently to Duncan, sat there casually, swirling the liquid around. Logan wanted to scream, and beside him, Lilly groaned. The anticipation was killing them both.
"This is great champagne, Lil. Good choice," he took another sip and looked expectantly at their companions. "What do you think, Veronica?"
Veronica turned to Logan and gave him a smile as she took a long sip of champagne, drinking it down in three long gulps.
Logan let out a long sigh and he felt the tension in Lilly dissipate as well.
"Guess she wasn't lying about the whole abstinence thing," Lilly whispered to him.
"Hallelujah." Logan had never been so happy to have such a straight-laced prude for a friend.
It was Duncan who spoke up next. "Yes, thank you for the toast. So, the real reason I wanted us to get together is to plan a little bit. Logan, I hope you'll do the honor of being my best man." Logan opened his mouth to reply, but Duncan continued without pause, "I've already asked Casey Gant to be a groomsman. And, of course, Veronica asked Lilly to be her maid of honor." Duncan paused then, and it took a kick from under the table for Logan to realize it was the appropriate time for a response.
"I'd be...honored," Logan replied mechanically.
"I think it'll be perfect," Duncan stated.
"But why just the two of us? I know Veronica and Lilly always wanted a huge double-wedding," Logan prompted, still desperate to get a read on Veronica. As much as he was happy she wasn't pregnant, any other scenario made no sense at all. Her silence at brunch was making things difficult. It usually took all he could muster to shut her up, but now she was practically mute.
Duncan spoke up. "Mother explained the necessity for a small wedding party. We don't want to appear pretentious, do we, Veronica?"
Veronica let out a nervous giggle. "No, never that, dear."
"Dear?" Logan choked on his champagne and Lilly slapped him on the back twice, much harder than was necessary.
Veronica turned to Duncan and began discussing the menu, and Logan took the opportunity to whisper to Lilly, "Holy shit, this is painful."
"Oh, wait. There's more!" she muttered.
Logan was stunned. "What more could there possibly be?" he hissed.
"Just wait!" Lilly's responded with a tight-lipped nod. Logan knew it was taking everything in her not to explode. "I had to suffer through it last night. Now's your turn!"
He turned to Veronica, deciding it would take some pushing to get bring her into the conversation. "So Valentine's Day?" Logan asked, trying to sound supportive but force her to speak. "Wow, that's...soon!"
"Well, you know all the primaries get going in February and I will be busy with campaigning," Duncan broke in again.
Logan cocked his head, confused. "I didn't know you were running."
"Oh, I'm not, but I'll be busy giving my support."
So Valentine's Day was more of a practical decision than a romantic one. Logan couldn't decide if that made it better or worse. He decided to try to keep things on safe ground. "So, Veronica, where's he taking you for your honeymoon? Do you finally get to see Florence?" he asked, smiling. She'd always dreamed of going there.
Veronica's smile faded at that.
Hell, what did I do now?
"Well, it all depends on who wins the Iowa caucus," Duncan began and then cleared his throat. "I mean if..." Duncan's words continued, but Logan's mind had tuned them out. He looked over at Veronica and saw her turn pink. He absolutely didn't feel bad at all for the plan the girls had hatched, not anymore.
"How romantic," he responded when Duncan stopped speaking. "I guess that'll be good with Veronica's job being so new. How much time can you get away from work?" Duncan opened his mouth to speak up again, but Logan had anticipated Duncan's reaction and cut him off. "Veronica?"
She sputtered a moment before speaking. "I'll be taking an indefinite leave from the firm after the wedding. I haven't told them yet, so please don't say anything."
Again, Logan let her voice fade into the background as his mind reeled. Indefinite leave...Iowa caucus...Valentine's Day...
"But you're just getting settled in! They're giving you your own cases," Logan couldn't help but interject. "You worked so hard and—"
"We're young. Veronica will have plenty of time to practice law in the future if she chooses to," Duncan said dismissively.
Lilly's hiss pushed its way through the fray of his mind. "I'll assume you've heard enough," she whispered.
Logan managed a nod and Lilly turned to the table. "Veronica, Duncan, I hope you don't mind my stealing a little of your thunder this afternoon, but I have the most brilliant surprise for Logan, and I just can't hold it in any longer!" Lilly made a squealing sound, her eyes wide with excitement. Logan almost forgot that that was his cue. He subtly hit 'send' on the text he'd composed ahead of time to set the plan in motion. And not a moment too soon—he couldn't take a second more of this.
"Lilly!" Logan admonished with what he hoped was a sheepish grin. "What surprise? This is Veronica and Duncan's day!" He managed a quick glance to the door and saw Phil standing there looking radiant. Her plum colored dress hugged her perfectly and accentuated her curves. Her brunette hair was curled and flowed over her shoulders. She looked perfect. Showtime!
"Well, I know how much you've missed Philippa this trip because she had to stay home to help her dad, but I…" Lilly paused for dramatic effect, "well, I pulled a few strings, and—" Lilly gestured to the front of the restaurant where Philippa was striding toward them, simply oozing confidence.
Logan stood to greet his 'fiancée' when an ungodly, piercing shriek broke through the restaurant causing Lilly to drop her glass of champagne in shock and Logan to stop mid-rise.
"Philippa! Oh my god! You're here! I can't believe it."
Logan, still hunched over in a half-stand, watched as Veronica popped out of her seat and flew the twenty feet to where Philippa stood and embraced her tightly while jumping up and down.
"Holy hell!" Lilly let slip at Veronica's instant transformation.
"I'm so glad to meet you! I'm so happy that Lilly called you!" Veronica squealed, taking a stunned Philippa by the arm and pulling her the distance back to the table.
Logan laughed out loud when it took Phil almost a full second to regain her composure.
"Wow!" Philippa said, a bit breathless. "What a welcome. Logan always said his friends were... affectionate." She nodded and made a move to sit next to Logan, but Veronica slid over and seated Philippa in between her and Duncan. Phil threw Logan a desperate look, but he just shrugged.
This was your idea, Phil, you're on your own!
"I feel like this just makes everything perfect!" Veronica said through the fakest smile he'd seen since Veronica had flirted as Amber to get them into clubs with fake IDs as kids.
"Oh, really? How so?" Philippa asked. "It's lovely to meet you, of course, I just didn't expect...I didn't know Logan had...erm, mentioned me."
"Oh, don't be silly. Logan never mentions anything to anyone. I read about you two online and at the doctor's office. And the dentist. And at the salon," Veronica added tightly. Then her smile returned. "You both are the toast of London. I'm just so glad Logan found...well, you!"
Philippa actually blushed and Logan kicked her under the table to remind her to keep her head in the game and out of the clouds. This is a ruse, he reminded her with his eyes. She must have heard him because she seemed to gather her wits.
"How was the flight?" Lilly asked.
"Brilliant. I arrived yesterday and had a lovely, calming evening to get into California mode. It's beautiful here even in the middle of January. And so warm. I don't know how I'll ever go back next week." Philippa accepted the flute of champagne and took a hasty sip.
Logan laughed inwardly, happy to see that Philippa flustered for once. For all the drama, he was enjoying this show immensely and felt a hope bubbling at the pit of his stomach that he hadn't felt since New Year's Eve.
"Next week?" Veronica's hand flew to her chest, her face stricken with pain. "You can't leave next week. Duncan and I are getting married in just over a month. You have to stay. In fact, you have to be my bridesmaid!"
"Me?" Philippa squeaked.
"What?" Logan choked.
"Come again!" Lilly spat out, her sly grin from earlier was replaced by genuine surprise.
Veronica ignored her and turned back to Philippa. "Yes, of course, you! If you're marrying Logan, you're practically family already."
Lilly gasped in perfect unison with her brother. Duncan immediately began to sputter.
"Sweetheart, I thought we'd agreed that you'd ask Madison Sinclair," he prompted, looking around the group nervously.
"Oh yes, your mother did say that, but I just remembered that I hate Madison Sinclair," Veronica spat through set teeth.
Logan suppressed the urge to cheer at finally catching a glimpse of the Veronica he knew.
"Yes, but her family are big supporters," Duncan pressed quietly.
"Well, now you'll have to make the Winthrop-Scotts big supporters," she countered, equally unwavering.
"I don't want to cause any problems. The last time we Britons tried to influence American politics it didn't go so well for us," Philippa cut in, throwing a concerned look at Veronica. "Paul Revere saw to that."
"No problem at all. I never wanted Madison in my wedding party, and now I have the perfect excuse to spend the next month making you my new best friend!" she stated firmly, sunny disposition back in place.
Philippa shot Logan a quick look and then replied, "Lucky me!"
Duncan stood and pulled Veronica to her feet. "Let's let the happy couple greet each other properly," he said, possessively sliding Veronica over to the seat next to him so that Philippa could sit next to Logan.
Logan stood to embrace Phil and distinctly heard Duncan's clipped voice ask, "Veronica, what has gotten into you?"
"Is someone compensating?" Lilly sing-songed to Veronica teasingly. Or not so teasingly.
"What would I have to compensate for?" Veronica replied tersely through a wide smile.
"Nothing!" Lilly's eyes were wide and innocent. "Honestly, not a thing." Logan decided to stay out of this one, for which he was grateful when Lilly piped up again. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were jealous."
"Jealous would involve piano wire. I'm simply being the gracious hostess I'm expected to be." She turned to Duncan. "Duncan, don't you think Celeste would be impressed?" She nodded as they all resumed sitting.
"Well, let's hear all about the big day. Sounds like I have a lot to catch up on," Philippa said, smiling and turning slightly to subtly toast Lilly and Logan with a brief wink.
Veronica looked up at her father's house from the driveway with trepidation. She really didn't want to go in there. She was exhausted and needed some time. Time to think. And time to not need to think before she spoke. It was tiresome. It wasn't that Keith was difficult to get along with. They were still very close, but she worked so hard during the day and had to be 'on' all the time lately. The thought of soaking in the bathtub with a good book was heavenly. She once again regretted her decision to remain living with her dad for a while before finding an apartment in San Diego; the solitude would be so welcome right now. She missed her apartment in Palo Alto, which she'd always kept fully stocked with Chunky Monkey for tough days like this. Days where she met Logan Echolls' fiancée.
"Surprise!" Veronica said dryly to herself. "This time The Sun got it right!"
She still wasn't ready to face it. Philippa Winthrop-Scott had no business waltzing into restaurants and stealing her…Logan. Her best friend. Philippa with her perfect hair, and her perfect skin, and her perfect dress, and perfect…everything! The woman really was beautiful—much prettier than the pictures had shown. And the way she'd looked at Logan. Veronica's head fell back against the headrest of the driver's seat and she closed her eyes, letting out a moan of frustration. The last thing she needed in her life was a British version of an '09er thrown into the mix of what she already had on her plate.
And Philippa would have been on her way back home if Veronica hadn't begged her to stay and then made her a bridesmaid!The sudden, overwhelming need to keep Philippa close had overpowered any rational thought. She'd chalk it up to temporary insanity. But Logan definitely liked Philippa. The way he'd touched her throughout the meal, the way he'd laughed with her, it all reminded Veronica of—
With a grumble, Veronica got out of the car and made her way to the front door. As if on cue, the moment the front door closed behind her, her dad emerged from the back bedroom with a smile.
"Hey, honey. How was lunch?" he asked jovially, reaching out to give her a hug.
"Fine," she replied without much emotion. Veronica silently begged him not to press her.
"Why doesn't that sound convincing?" Keith asked.
"Lilly and Logan are still annoyed with me," Veronica sighed, dropping her purse onto the small table by the door and then pulling her jacket off and walking to the coat closet. She'd keep the news of Philippa under wraps for now. She was still processing.
"Well, come on, now. You can't blame them for that," her father called out from the front room as she wrestled with a hanger. "That was quite a bomb the Kanes dropped on them."
Veronica wasn't in the mood for rational thought. She wanted to be annoyed and she wished someone would get on board too. She wanted to feel like someone was on her side.
"Yes, I know it was a surprise, but it's Duncan! He's...he's dependable, he's...solid." She leaned over and began fiddling with her shoes, anything to avoid her father's too keen eyes.
"You sound like you just described Smith and Wesson," Keith replied drolly, indicating his sleeping pit bulls stretched out across the couch.
Not him too. "Dad, please don't start on me. Logan just grilled me at lunch, and Lilly's been all over my case since New Year's," Veronica pleaded, reaching behind her head to pull her hair out of the knot she'd wound it into earlier that day. She attempted to rub the threatening tension headache from her temples. "I need a nap."
Keith looked at her thoughtfully before he spoke. "Give them some time. I just don't think that anyone saw this coming," he said, reaching out and squeezing her hand.
"By this, I assume you mean my engagement? My impending marriage to my high school sweetheart is 'this'?" she asked, frustratedly waving her arms. She needed to put some space between them, so she kicked off her cute, black heels, stalked down the hallway to her bedroom door, and tossed them gingerly into the closet.
"You're putting words in my mouth, honey. I have no problem with Duncan." Keith's voice sounded muffled from down the hallway. His voice grew louder again as she retraced her steps to where her father still stood. "Your engagement took me a little by surprise too, Veronica. I didn't even know the two of you were dating." Keith rubbed his hand across his chin and up to his ear.
"Neither did I!" Veronica blurted before she thought better of it. She quickly spun, turning her back to him for a moment before slowly swiveling back to face him. She was an adult. She couldn't take things out on him. "Look, Dad, it was quick for me too."
Keith softened immediately. He closed the small distance between them and pulled her into a tight hug. "Honey, talk to me. If this isn't something you want—"
"It is. It's just moving a little faster than I'd anticipated. But it's what I want. I'm just pooped. I'm going to take a nap. I just had the most exhausting lunch and all I could think about the whole way there and back is that I should be at work." Veronica took another deep, steadying breath. She smiled up at him from the circle of his arms. "If you don't mind, I'd prefer not to talk about engagements or fiancés, or weddings for a few hours, okay Dad?" she pleaded wearily.
Keith's expression warmed and he nodded in understanding. "I'm sorry. I should have been more understanding. The last thing you need is to be interrogated by your best friends and your father. Just give them time; they're only looking out for you." Keith released her and spun her around, massaging her shoulders as he steered her down the hall toward her bedroom. "You take an hour or so break. I've got to work tonight, but there's leftover lasagna in the fridge."
January 13th, 2016
Veronica had just pulled onto the freeway heading home when her phone rang. She knew who it was without looking at the Caller ID. Lilly had been calling and texting all day. Veronica wasn't in a hurry to be interrogated for the forty-third time about her wedding, so she'd eventually turned her phone to silent.
Deciding that now was as good a time as any, she answered the call and pressed the speaker button. She hadn't spoken a word before Lilly started talking.
"Veronica Mars, I've been texting all day."
"Yes, I saw that, but as I've said before, Lilly, I work."
"But I sent a 911 text."
"Yes, but for you that could just mean that you're out of Shangri-La-La Lilac for your nails," Veronica replied airily.
"No, this is an actual wedding crisis, thank you very much."
"Your whine gives away your true motives every time, Lilly Kane," Veronica reminded her friend, unconcerned.
"Philippa and I, as your illustrious bridal attendants, want to make sure that Celeste isn't anywhere near the vicinity when we look for dresses," Lilly informed her.
A wedding emergency, indeed. "You don't say!"
"So, Celeste is gone for the long weekend, and since the boys are heading to get their tuxes fitted this Saturday, we thought we could do our dresses at the same time and then meet up with them for a late lunch."
Veronica shrugged. Saturday was as good a day as any. She needed to work the rest of the weekend anyway. And maybe with Casey there, Lilly and Logan would lay off her. Not to mention that it would be a good excuse to watch Philippa in action. And, there was no way Lilly Kane wouldn't hate Philippa too once she spent some real time with her. Lilly never let anyone new into the inner-sanctum. Yes, this could be fun.
"I hate to spoil your plans, but Celeste already beat you to my dress," Veronica admitted. "But I wouldn't let her pick out yours without you, so we can still do that." Veronica kept speaking, so Lilly couldn't make her feel bad. "That works for me, Saturday morning it is. I'll text you with the boutique's address," Veronica told her friend.
"No need," Lilly replied hastily. "I've already got it. Perf! I'll call you tomorrow!"
"I'll still be at work tomorrow, Lil," Veronica reminded her.
"Oh...right! Well, I'll text you then."
"Sounds great." Veronica disconnected the phone and smiled. This was going to be interesting to be sure.
Keep your enemies close, Veronica. Philippa Winthrop-Scott won't know what's hit her.
Man, some of you are a tough audience. I've never gotten this much negativity about a story. At least now I expect the barrage of hate after each chapter. I'll keep posting for now, but eventually I might get to a point where I've had enough. I'm close. If you don't like it, feel free not to read it. :)
I think I said this before, but I wanted to reiterate that this story is supposed to be light. We are working with Veronica 1.0 here. She hasn't had her best friend murdered by her other friend's father. The whole school didn't turn against her. Her mother never took all her money and ran. She wasn't raped. I don't know if I'd call her naive, but she's certainly not as jaded as we saw her in canon.
I missed Saturday - sorry. Thanks, Lisa, for reminding me again!
This chapter began the silliness of this all, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I hope you did too! I did manage to write most of chapter nine over the break, so that's a huge accomplishment! I'd been stuck and started to get worried.
Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers! Thanks to all of you for your comments and for reading. As always, thanks to kmd0107 and brit for the beta!