Author Note: I don't own any characters.

Logan's inner thoughts in italics.

March 2012

"This is lovely, Logan. Thank you," Shira says as Logan pulls her chair out for her.

"Well, it is Mother's Day. At least here in England. I'm glad you were able to come visit," Logan responds, pushing her chair back in. He walks around the table and sits down across from her.

"I was so pleased you called. Your father didn't want me tagging along, but…"

"He can't deny you lunch on Mother's Day with your son, can he?" Logan asks.

Shira eyes him skeptically. "I would love to think that this is about your love for me, but I get the feeling something else is going on."

"Not at all," Logan fibs. "Let's get you a glass of champagne."

He charms his mother through the salads, waiting until they are cleared before asking her what he brought her here to ask.

"Have you seen Honor lately?"

"Of course. She is still trying not to hire a nanny, so she asks me to help her out a lot. No nanny… Can you imagine?" Shira says with a laugh.

"No, I cannot," Logan replies. Nor can I imagine you helping out. "So… has she mentioned why she won't take any calls from me?"

Shira raises an eyebrow. "That's why you wanted me here, isn't it?"

Logan doesn't respond.

"You want me to speak to Honor on your behalf?" she asks. With a stilted laugh, she continues "I should have known you wanted something… She's just upset that you didn't come home for Thanksgiving or Christmas and that you won't let her come here for your birthday."

"It's just not possible, Mom. My workload is… well, it's crazy. I have to take a week for Colin's wedding in June. And that's all I can do. I can't have her and the kids here no matter how much I would like them to visit. I thought she understood that."

"Did you tell her you were taking time off for Colin?" Shira asks, knowingly.

Shit. Yes. Yes, I did. She's always so sensitive to her place in my life compared to Colin and Finn.

But this isn't like last time. I'm not trying to exclude her. I just have to make this company succeed. I would ignore Colin's wedding too if I didn't think Steph would kill me.

"She won't take calls, she's not responding to emails, and I just don't know what to do short of flying to New York, which as I just said, I cannot do. Will you please talk to her?" Logan begs.

Shira peers down her nose at him. "I'll see what I can do."

Dessert has just been set down at their table when Shira looks up and coos. "Aww, Celine, mon cherie. Quel plaisir de vous voir!"

Logan turns to look behind him, as Shira stands to greet two women who have just entered the dining room.

They exchange kisses before turning back to Logan. "Dear, this is Celine Marchand and her daughter Odette. Celine's husband is Jean Marchand. I believe you and your father have been meeting with him this week about a possible merger."

"Yes, we have," Logan says as he stands to greet their guests. "Logan Huntzberger. It's nice to put your faces with your names." He takes Celine's waiting hand, then turns his attention to Odette. Smiling broadly, he shakes her hand.

Odette rolls her eyes and sighs.

Wait. Do they not speak English? My French is crap. I don't want Jean to think I was not perfectly hospitable to his family.

"Mamá? We should get to our table," Odette says in perfect English.

Logan is taken aback by her response to him. Huh? What's up her ass?

He glances at the older women to see if they have noticed Odette's hostility.

Oh, God. No wonder she's rolling her eyes. I thought my days of being set up by Shira were over.

Their mothers are beaming at the two of them. Shira has her hands clasped together at her chest, and Celine exclaims "Si belle!"

"Dear, why don't you escort Odette to her table so that Celine and I can sit here together and catch up?" Shira asks Logan in a condescending tone.

"Mamá!" Odette exclaims.

"Mother," Logan says through gritted teeth. "We're just about done, and this is your Mother's Day celebration."

Shira fakes a smile. "He is so sweet to me," she says to Celine. She then leans into Logan's ear and whispers "If you want me to talk to Honor, you will do this."

Geez. Nothing can happen in this family without quid pro quo.

Logan pulls back, offers his mother his fakest smile, and places his hand on the small of Odette's back. "Let's get you to your table."

They follow the maitre'd to a table on the other side of the dining room.

"I'm sorry. This is so embarrassing," Odette says as they sit down.

"Don't worry about it. I've been fending off my mother's attempts to set me up since I was fifteen," Logan says.

"And... no offense, but I would never actually date anyone my mother wanted me to date," Odette says with a wry smile.

"None taken. Same here. Let's hang out here for a bit, and then we'll just leave before they even notice we're gone," Logan offers. "Your English is great. I assume you are French though?"

"Oui. Born in Paris. But I went to Brown, and after five years in Providence, my English is good."

"Aww, Brown," Logan teases. "The little Ivy Leaguer that could."

"Oh. Let me guess. Harvard? No, no- Princeton. You look like a snotty Princeton guy."

Logan clicks his cheeks. "Yale. I'm a snotty Yale guy."

She smiles. "Brown was fantastic. I don't care what you say."

"Of course. So how's that degree in philosophy working out for you?" Logan says, smirking.

"My degree is in art history, thank you. Much more practical."

Logan bursts out laughing, and Odette can't help but smile back.

"I'm sure you have some degree in something boring if you're working with my father," she says.

"Yes, totally boring. Business marketing is not nearly as pragmatic as art history," Logan answers cheekily.

"I work in an art gallery, so it actually is pragmatic," she contends.

Logan smiles and takes a minute to study her. Her thick blond hair falls long down her back, and her brown eyes are warm. There is a small gap in her front teeth that would be off-putting in someone else, but on Odette, it's adorable.

She's definitely the prettiest woman my mother has ever tried to set me up with.

They continue the banter with ease. She asks how he ended up in London, and he learns her favorite painters. When she begins to discuss the way the internet is revolutionizing art, Logan's interest peaks.

"So what are you doing with my father?" she asks.

"His publishing houses in France are very lucrative, and we want to merge them into our print company. We have offices in London and the U.S., and we want to expand into Western Europe. Actually, though I work mainly with digital media. The stuff you were talking about with net art, that's my wheelhouse. I even have a specific division for that."

"Ugh. You're one of those guys. Mergers, expansion, business. Just when I thought there may be something to like about you."

"Hmm… There isn't anything you like about me?" he asks, raising his eyebrows.

"Is there anything you like about me?" Odette shoots back.

He eyes her for a moment. "I think there's probably a lot of things I could like about you… But I can't give my mother the satisfaction. So no, I don't like anything about you."

She smiles broadly. "Perfect. I don't like anything about you either."

The chatter continues through lunch until they realize that their mothers have left the restaurant.

"Wow, it's late. Um, should we go?" Odette asks uncertainly.

"Probably. Yes. Yes, we should definitely go. It was nice to meet you, though," Logan replies. "And since we're not going to be seeing each other in any other capacity…" He pauses to smile at her. "Here's my card. You know, if you come across any digital artists who may need help with their platform or with representation."

Her eyes roll above her grin, but she takes the card. He escorts her out and puts her in a taxi.

That's about the best Mother's Day lunch with Shira I could have hoped for.

June 2012

The Wednesday before Colin's wedding, Logan arrives at LaGuardia and takes a cab straight to Honor's apartment on the Upper West Side. He's exhausted from his flight, but he has to take the time to make things right with Honor. The doorman lets him up, and he wearily knocks on her door.

When she sees him there, she wordlessly hugs him.

"I changed my flight out. I'll have to work from our New York office some, but I'm going to be here next week to be with you and Josh and the kids. I'm sorry," he says against her hair.

"It's okay. Come inside. The kids are about to go to bed, but I know they'll want to see you."

Logan breathes a sigh of relief before heading into her apartment.

The next morning, Logan walks through Central Park towards Colin and Stephanie's apartment. They are waiting for him in the lobby, and they excitedly greet each other.

"I can't believe how long it's been since we've seen you," Stephanie exclaims.

"I don't think we've ever gone this long," Logan says to Colin. "Now you, Steph… I didn't see you for a year and a half when you were dating that douchebag in-"

"We don't talk about him, Logan. He doesn't exist," Colin says decisively.

Stephanie and Logan smirk at each other as they turn to walk out of the building. As they head down the street toward Starbucks, they catch up on each other's life.

"Finn and Robert are supposed to be here at eleven, but you know what that means," Stephanie tells him.

"I never plan on seeing Finn before three," Logan responds.

Ten minutes later, Robert walks in.

"Sorry I'm late. I had a thing at the office… but now I'm off until Sunday, and it's wedding time! Logan, how've you been?"

"Great. London is working out for me. How about you?"

Robert launches into a long-winded response.

So nothing's changed much here. It's still always about him.

Eventually, Robert winds it up, and Stephanie takes over the conversation.

"I need some things from you guys this weekend. Now, I know you are going to be drinking on the golf course tomorrow, but please just… not too much. I want all of you guys present and somewhat sober at the rehearsal tomorrow night," she pleads.

"Steph, don't worry. We're not in college anymore. We're not going to get wasted," Colin says.

She throws him a side-eye. "Sweetie, I'm mostly talking to your friends. I know you know better than to show up drunk at our wedding rehearsal," she says in a stern voice.

Logan laughs. "We'll behave. I promise."

"One other thing, Logan. Juliana is one of my bridesmaids, and I really need you to stay away from her. I just cannot take extra drama this weekend. I mean, my mom is already-"

"I'm sorry," Logan interrupts, furrowing his brow. "Who is Juliana?"

They all stare at him for a moment.

"Dude," Robert says. "Even I know you used to bang Stephanie's roommate."

Logan racks his brain. "When was this?"

"Right before you met Rory," Colin says quietly.

I should feel bad that I don't remember this girl.

"What does she look like?" Logan asks.

"She's fucking hot," Robert says just as Colin comments "Really hot."

"Really?" Logan says. How can I have no clue who this girl is?

Stephanie glares at Robert and Colin. "Yes, she's pretty, but she's also a huge drama queen, and I don't have time to deal with it this weekend. Just don't touch any of my friends okay?"

"Fine," Logan says.

"And don't touch my sister either," Colin chimes in.

"Never," Robert says.

"Okay, Colin and I have one last counseling session at the church, but we are all meeting at our place for dinner right?" Stephanie asks.

"Yes. And we will get Finn there. You guys need to relax. Everything's going to be fine," Logan admonishes them.

"He's right, babe. Everything is going to be fine. Better than fine. Let's go get this counseling bullshit over with," Colin says.

"Colin, it's not bullshit. It's important…" they hear Stephanie say as they leave the coffee shop.

Robert and Logan sit quietly for a moment. Logan sips his coffee and people-watches

If we're not partying, I still just don't really have anything in common with him.

"So…" he says.

"So…" Robert responds. "I know bridesmaids have gotten you in trouble before, but… you're going to hook up with Juliana, right? Because if not, I want a shot at her."

"Oh, yeah. I am," Logan says. "Just as soon as I figure out which one she is."

I'm not working for the first time in months. I need to get laid.

On Friday, Logan, Finn, and Seth walk through the doors of the St. Regis after a long day of golf. They stop in the bar for a beer before they need to get ready for the rehearsal.

Logan turns to Finn. "Now that Colin's gone… he made a big deal about nobody touching his sister. Somehow he still doesn't know about you and Erin."

"There's nothing much to know. She calls me when she needs to scratch an itch."

Seth laughs. "I don't think that is going to sound better to Colin."

"Well, let's not tell him, shall we? Besides, she already texted that she's bringing a plus one… There's no need to even get into it," Finn says.

"So obviously I know Erin. But the other bridesmaids... I'm not sure who they all are," Logan begins. "Do you guys remember Steph's roommate, Juliana?"

"Yes, she was gorgeous," Seth says.

"I don't remember which one she was," Logan admits.

"Me either," Finn says.

Thank God. I'm not going crazy.

"She had reddish brown hair. Finn, you have to remember her. You wanted her bad... Remember how you were with redheads? But she was totally into Logan," Seth says.

Finn shakes his head. "Nope. Not coming to me. And who would choose this guy over me? There must be something wrong with her."

Seth laughs and turns to Logan. "How can you not remember someone you slept with?"

Finn grins. "You see dear smart friend… We had very different college experiences than you. You went to class, and we fucked pretty people."

"Honestly those years are kind of a blur. I mean lots of drugs, girls… At least until…" Rory. "But I am kind of embarrassed that I don't know her. Seth, if you see her tonight, point her out, okay?" Logan says.

Rory somehow made me forget other women. But now that I've finally gotten her out my mind, it's time I reacquaint myself with this Juliana.

As soon as he sees her, he remembers who she is. Thank God. I was starting to think I was even sluttier than I remembered.

He heads her way, his charm on the offensive. "Juliana. It's been too long. You look amazing." Her cheeks flush as he leans in to kiss her cheek.

"Thank you. How have you been? I heard you live in London."

"Yes-"

"Everyone, everyone. Can I have your attention up here please?" the wedding coordinator interrupts him.

"We'll talk in a minute," he whispers to her, giving her his biggest smile. His confidence soars as she blushes again.

They are lined up by height along the altar by the coordinator who is asking seemingly inane questions to all of them. (Are your wedding shoes taller than this? Does your hair always stand up this much?)

Yes. It does, thanks. I have great hair.

He looks at Juliana, who rolls her eyes at the coordinator. He winks, and she smiles. The thrill of the chase is real, the energy coursing through his body.

How long has it been since I've had time to seduce a woman properly?

After an hour, the coordinator finally lets them go with strict instructions about when and where to be for pictures the next day. Stephanie and Colin lead the processional through Central Park toward Tavern on the Green where the dinner is being held. Logan hangs back to walk with Juliana.

He offers his arm, inquiring about where she lives and what she's been up to.

"I've been back in Boston since graduation. I don't know if you remember… that's where I'm from."

"Of course I remember," he lies.

"I work in an advertising firm," she says.

"Oh, very Mad Men."

"Well, less smoking and drinking, but with about the same amount of misogyny. One of my father's friends owns it. I think I'm really good at it, but he'll always see me as George's little girl, no matter what ideas I come up with."

"I can definitely relate to that," Logan says. "Just in the last year, I've finally started to get out from-"

"Logan?"

Logan turns to his left to see Doyle McMaster. "Hey Doyle!" he says, walking toward him to shake his hand. He's always actually liked Doyle, and he lets him pull him into a hug. As they embrace, he looks over Doyle's shoulder to see Paris sitting on a bench with a double stroller beside her.

Sitting next to her is Rory Gilmore. She looks up at him with those big blue eyes, and his heart skips a beat.

This is her at her prettiest. Ponytail, no make-up. The way she looked when she woke up. She always woke up frisky, and-

Stop… Stop…

Pay attention to the gorgeous woman to your right who wants you. Not the (also admittedly gorgeous) woman in front of you who rejects you over and over.

"Wow, you have kids…" Logan stammers, trying to seem calm.

"Yeah, come see."

"Oh, okay."

He glances at Juliana, giving her a small smile. She nods, dropping his arm and following him toward the group.

"Paris. Rory. It's good to see you," he begins.

"Huntzberger," Paris growls, as Rory smiles. "Hey, Logan."

"This is Tim and Gabi," Doyle says, pointing to his children.

"Congratulations. They're beautiful."

There is an awkward moment of silence as they stare at each other.

"Are you living in New York? Or…" Doyle asks, attempting to lighten the air.

"No, no. I'm back in London. I… uh… moved there after…" Rory rejected me again. "Uh… a few years ago. I'm just in town for Colin and Stephanie's wedding. It's tomorrow, so we were… uh… you know… we were rehearsing. And now… we're going to the dinner." Logan can hear his idiocy, but he can't seem to make it stop. He sneaks a glimpse at Rory, who is staring down the woman at his side.

"This must be a lovely reunion for you two," Rory finally says, motioning between Logan and Juliana.

What? I know that tone. That tone sounds familiar.

"Can't stop Bobbi… I like Bobbi. I do. I don't like the fact that she's not a big, swarthy dude…"

She sounds…

Jealous.

"Oh… this is Juliana. She's a bridesmaid," he explains.

"We've met," Rory says. "You lived with Stephanie in college, right?"

Juliana nods. "It's nice to see you, Rory."

Rory gives them a tight smile.

"We have to catch up with the group, but… it was great to see you guys. Really," Logan says.

Doyle full-on hugs him again, making Logan smile. Over his shoulder, he looks at the girls. Paris rolls her eyes, but Rory is looking at him almost…

Wistfully. Hmm.

He turns to leave, placing his hand on the small of Juliana's back and leading her back to the main path.

"Was that weird for you?" she asks him.

"No. I just didn't know that you two knew each other," he says.

"Yeah. I'm not proud of it, but when you first started seeing her, I cornered her at a party and told her to back off of you. I was such a mean girl."

Rory knows I've slept with her. That's what she meant when she said "This must be a lovely reunion for you two."

He turns back to look at Rory. She is watching him, but as he catches her eye, she quickly looks down into her lap. He can see her blush from here.

She is jealous.

"Doesn't really matter now, does it?" Smiling, he takes Juliana's hand and speeds them up until he can see Finn and Robert again.

Once inside the restaurant with a drink in his hand, he finds Finn.

"I just saw Rory in the park."

"Dear Reporter Girl. How is she?" he asks.

"She's seems fine. We didn't talk for long," Logan answers.

"The more important question is how are you?"

"I'm… I'm actually fine," he says. And I am. Glad to know she still doesn't like to see me with another woman. But I'm truly fine.

"Good," Finn smiles. "Because you have a lovely redhead on your arm tonight. Who I will gladly take off your hands if Rory needs your full attention."

Logan smiles. "Back off, buddy. This redhead is mine."

Later that evening in his hotel room, Logan rolls off of Juliana.

That was fantastic. How did I block this girl out of my memory? I know I was very focused on Ace, but damn… I mean, Stephanie's right. She's a total drama queen, but she's hot and she's fun. At least for this weekend.

Maybe I've finally really moved on from Rory. I didn't think about her at all tonight.

Juliana snuggles back into him. "Well that was even better than I remembered."

If it was all like that, I wish I remembered it.

"Yeah. No shit. That was amazing," he agrees.

Logan pulls her close, closes his eyes, and drifts off to sleep.

She was jealous.

"Good evening, everyone," Logan addresses the guests at the reception. "I'm Logan Huntzberger, and I'm the best man-"

"Co-best man," Finn interrupts.

"Yes, co-best man. Sorry, Finn. So... we are here tonight to celebrate the marriage of Colin and Stephanie, two people who I love more than anything."

He pauses to look at the happy couple. Colin is smiling, and Stephanie is already wiping a tear away.

"Don't start Steph. I'm just getting going... So I've known Colin for... what feels like forever. He has always been a great friend, loyal and honest. He's always up for a good time. I could tell some stories, but I won't because our parents are all here.

But when we met Stephanie our sophomore year in college, something changed. He became focused on this goal. He worked for months to get Stephanie to notice him. He started eating in the dining hall when he knew she'd be there. And we all know how expensive Colin's tastes are. So if he was eating mystery meat for this girl, we knew it meant something. Eventually, he wore her down, and so began their story.

Steph, you already know this, but you are the best parts of him. You tone down his worst impulses, and you highlight his best. And Colin, well… actually you don't add much to Stephanie. She's perfect the way she is. I know this seems like I'm praising Steph and roasting Colin, but… I guess that's what I'm doing. Colin, you're a lucky guy."

Logan waits until the laughter and applause dies before continuing.

"Now there have been some hiccups for you two, but even through the break-ups, I think everyone in this room always knew that we'd end up here. Because you two are truly meant to be together. You're best friends… and partners. And together, you're greater than the sum of your parts.

So raise your glasses. To Colin and Stephanie. May they always be as happy as they are today."

Logan sips his champagne and hugs the newlyweds.

"Thanks, man," Colin says.

"I love you, Logan," Steph whispers. "You'll find the same thing. I know it."

"I hope so," he says smiling, before returning to his seat next to Juliana.

"That was really lovely. You make me want to find someone like that."

Shit. She's not talking about me, is she? I mean, sure... I eventually want to get married, but not to her.

The terror must show on his face, because she laughs.

"Calm down. I'm not talking about you. You live in London. I know we're just having fun this weekend. Look, I know I was… intense about you in college, but that was a long time ago. Okay?"

He nods, gulping down his champagne.

"Are we good?" she asks again.

"Yeah, we're good."

"Excellent. Because I have plans for you for later," she says, leaning in to whisper her dirty thoughts into his ear.

November 2012

Logan slips away from the one-year anniversary party and heads to the balcony. He has been shaking hands and smiling for hours, but he's exhausted and he needs a moment to decompress.

Obviously, I'm proud of the company and what we've accomplished. But the best part about this party is forcing Mitchum to publicly acknowledge how well we've done.

When he steps outside, he is surprised to see Odette standing there, smoking a cigarette.

"Haven't you heard those things will kill you?" he asks, causing her to turn around in surprise.

"You. Isn't this party for you? Shouldn't you be inside so people can kiss the ring?" she asks sarcastically.

He closes the gap between them. "I needed a break from being told how amazing I am. I knew you would set me straight."

She drops her cigarette and grinds it with her heel.

"I'm sorry. Apparently you've done something incredible here. I shouldn't make fun."

He smiles. "Are you just in for the party or…"

"Yes. Papá wanted our whole family here. Somehow, my brother got out of it, but… I needed to get out of Paris for a bit anyway. I had a big fight with my boyfriend, and… never mind. You don't care."

"Not particularly, but I've been told I'm a good listener. Try me."

"Just… Henri is a painter, and he's moody. Sometimes very depressed. Sometimes… how do you say… up? Very up?"

"Manic?" he offers.

"Yes. But he's down right now. He hasn't sold a painting in a few months, and… he just mopes," Odette says. "I like to be happy. I didn't want him to come here with my parents if he was going to be depressed. They hate him anyway... Because he's not rich. I can't give them any more ammunition. So I told him not to come to London, and we had a fight, and he broke up with me."

"I understand the appeal of dating someone your parents hate. Trust me. But if you're serious about him, make up as soon as you get home. Tell him you don't care what your parents think," Logan offers.

"Thanks. I think you are right. I'm an adult. He makes me happy, and it doesn't matter what they think. But that's enough about Henri. Tell me who all these people are."

He runs through the guest list, praising some, eviscerating others. They laugh steadily until Logan remembers that he is in fact the guest of honor and needs to show his face again.

"Will I see you again before you head back to Paris?" he asks her.

"Probably not. I'm going to go home tomorrow and make up with Henri."

He smiles at her, and she suddenly leans forward to quickly kiss his lips.

"I thought you didn't like anything about me," Logan says.

"I don't, but you are a good listener. And you have pretty lips." Odette smiles one last time before she returns back to the party.

Logan waits a few moments before following her. He is quickly joined by his colleagues, and they make the rounds again.

Back to work.

A/N: Have any of you watched The Handmaid's Tale (Starring our girl Alexis Bledel) yet?