How To Be A Heartbreaker

by serafina67

When Scarlett Browning, former international pop sensation, is invited to come back to Hollywood and record at Rocque Records, she decides to give the music business another chance. Only downside? She has to work alongside her ex-boyfriend, Logan Mitchell, of Big Time Rush. Sequel to Scarlett Fever.

6. Chapter 6: Out of LA

Chapter 6: Out of L.A.

"Thanks again for picking me up." Scarlett had just hopped into the passenger seat of her friend Mercedes' vintage baby-blue convertible. "I just really needed to get out of L.A." She and Mercedes were headed to her beach house in Malibu, her car trunk packed with all the crap Scarlett planned on dropping off there.

"Oh, no problem," Mercedes assured her. "You would have done the same thing—you know, if you could drive." Mercedes didn't bother to hide her smirk.

Scarlett lowered her vintage Lolita sunglasses, giving her BFF a look. "Okay, I could drive if I wanted to," she retorted.

"And I'm sure you could…," Mercedes trailed off in a tone that suggested that she thought exactly the opposite. Scarlett rolled her eyes, leaning against the opened window. Tall, skinny palm trees blurred as they flew by.

Right then, a tinny version of "Viva La Vida" sounded from inside of the tote lounging on Scarlett's bare thighs. She pulled her cell phone out, cringing when she recognized the number flashing on the screen.

Mercedes' head snapped towards Scarlett's phone. Her tinted Ray-Bans teetered precariously atop her artificially honey-blond head. "Who is it?"

"My aunt," Scarlett answered unenthusiastically. She buried her face in her free hand. "God, I can't talk to her. She'll make me feel bad for leaving." The phone continued to play Coldplay's "Viva La Vida", which was beginning to get annoying.

Mercedes stuck out her free hand. "Give it here," she ordered, her eyes drifting away from the road. "I'll handle it." Reluctantly, Scarlett surrendered her iPhone.

"Hi, Nova," Mercedes chirped in a perky voice, "Yes, this is Mercedes. Scarlett's kind of busy right now, but she's just fine, so don't worry…Uh-huh…Yeah, we're headed to the beach house right now…"

As Mercedes spoke, the car would start to swerve slowly and Scarlett would have to keep reaching over to turn to steering wheel. When the phone call finally ended, they had arrived at the house. The beach peeked out from behind.

After hauling some bags out of the car, Mercedes led Scarlett into the ridiculously large vacation house. Even inside, the house was brightly lit because of the floor-to-ceiling windows. "I'm gonna marry this house someday," Scarlett breathed, dropping her luggage on a leather couch. "With your blessing, of course."

"We got a new pool, too," Mercedes trilled excitedly. "It's shaped like a guitar." Scarlett shook her head disapprovingly.

"This huge hunk of house is literally, like, two feet away from the beach," Scarlett pointed out. "What's the point of a pool?"

Mercedes stood there for a second, wracking her brain for a response. Finally, she said, "Ugh, screw you and your logic. Let's go change into our swimsuits."

"Viva La Vida" started playing again and Scarlett let out a groan. "Go ahead, I'll catch up with you." Mercedes left the room and Scarlett plopped onto the creamy leather futon, rooting through her bag for her phone.

Scarlett held it in front of her face, frowning at the foreign number. She suspected either Lucy or Kelly, being the only ones who had her number. She pressed the "accept call" button and held the phone to her pierced ear. "Hello?" she asked expectantly.

"Hey," a deep voice replied, clearing his throat. Anger bubbled up in Scarlett when she realized who the called was.

"Logan!" she exclaimed. "Who gave you my number?"

"Lucy," he answered hurriedly, "Listen, Scarlett, don't hang up on me. I just want to know why you left the studio."

"I don't want to talk to you," Scarlett spat, turning over onto her back. "Besides, it didn't have anything to do with you."

Scarlett could hear Logan struggling to stay calm. She spiteful grin spread across her face. "Look," he began in a measured voice, "You can't just leave because you don't agree with something. It's disrespectful…and most of the media already thinks you're a bitch. You don't want Arthur Griffin thinking that."

Scarlett wasn't going to lie: that had stung. "You don't know what they said to me! You weren't there!"

"What happened?"

"Logan, no offense, but you're the last person I'd want to talk about this. I don't even know why I'm talking to you now."

"…I just want to help—"

"How can you even say that with a straight face?" Scarlett interrupted angrily. "You can't claim that you care about me when, just last year, you…" Scarlett stopped, swallowing the lump forming in her throat.

"Scarlett, I'm—"

Scarlett hung up before he could finish, chucking her phone across the room. It landed on the carpet with a soft thud. Scarlett pulled her knees to her chest and gazed out the window. Suddenly, it felt as if the beautiful, warm sunlight streaming through the windows was cruelly taunting her.

Scarlett could feel a presence behind her. She whipped her head to face Mercedes, who was awkwardly standing at the top of the staircase in her vintage kimono wrap. "Was that Logan?" she asked innocently.

"Yeah," Scarlett choked out, pressing her palms against her closed eyes. Mercedes pranced down the stairs, her Lanvin sandals pattering against the hardwood. She sat down on the arm of the couch and reached out to squeeze Scarlett's shoulder reassuringly.

"Come on, you," Mercedes said, sounding upbeat. "A dip in the pool will get you out of this crappy mood. I'll make us some frozen daiquiris, it'll be all good."

Scarlett smiled good-naturedly at her friend who knew her better than anyone. Alcohol sounded really great right then. "You always know just what to say."

BTRBTRBTRBTRBTRBTRBTR

"Jesus, would you quit kicking her teeth in?" Mercedes exclaimed in an irritated tone. "You're acting like a child."

Scarlett tried not to giggle as her pedicurist painted her toes. She couldn't help herself. The combination of the hot water her feet were soaking in and a random pair of fingers groping her feet made her extremely ticklish. Which made her kick unintentionally.

Kelly Wainwright had invited Scarlett, Mercedes, and Nova to the spa to meet up after the disastrous event that had occurred the day before. Scarlett had been a bit suspicious, but she accepted gratefully, eager to get her chipped nail polish re-painted. After finishing her manicure, Kelly still hadn't shown.

"I think I may have to hold you down if you don't control yourself," Scarlett's aunt, Nova, joked. She blew softly on her polish-slicked nails, checking the time on her wristwatch. "Is Kelly going to be here soon?"

Scarlett shrugged. "I calmed her a few minutes ago. She said she'd be here as soon as she could."

Right then, Kelly burst through the red doors of the spa. As usual, she looked put together and professional. Not a hair was out of place. "Hey, sorry I'm so late," she apologized frantically. "My schedule's just so hectic…" She thumbs moved like lightning across the keyboard of her phone.

"Aren't you off today?" Mercedes asked, confused. Kelly fussed with her necklaces, looking away. She had told the girls that she (and the rest of Rocque Records) was of today, but it wasn't technically true. She'd had to pick up BTR early that morning without Scarlett noticing. Lying was the only way to get Scarlett to talk to her again.

"Um, yeah, but you know Gustavo," Kelly stammered, "He's a tyrant wrapped up in a slave driver." Kelly dragged a rolling chair over in between Nova and Scarlett. "Scarlett, I wanted to speak to you again about reconsidering work at Rocque Records."

"Kelly, I don't want to hear it," Scarlett protested. "I'd never been more insulted before. Yesterday was just humiliating." Scarlett ran a hand through her pale hair, closing her bright green eyes.

This didn't stop Kelly. "Big Time Rush had to go through the same things when they started out," she insisted. "Look where they are now: making their own decisions about their own careers."

"She's right," Nova added in agreement, "It isn't going to be smooth-sailing the whole way." She wrapped an arm around her niece's neck, but she shook herself out of her aunt's grasp.

"I don't want to be taken advantage of," Scarlett sighed exasperatedly. "I know what happened in the past was my own fault, but I'm not risking it happening again."

"Scarlett, trust me," Kelly said, putting her hand on Scarlett's knee. "I won't let anyone make you do anything you don't want to do."

Scarlett smiled, making everyone else around her smile with her. "That's really nice to hear."

"I'm scheduling a re-negotiation for tomorrow as we speak." Kelly texted feverishly, her bracelets jingling on her tiny wrists.

"I'll be there," Mercedes said, "I can convince my dad to do anything." She threw her head back and sighed dramatically. "He's such a pushover when it comes to me."

"I'd love that," Scarlett gushed, "But I'm still going to make sure your dad signs me because he actually appreciates what I do."

Mercedes nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, yeah…but if he doesn't, I'll get him to." Scarlett rolled her eyes up to the ceiling fans, giving Mercedes a hug anyway. She shrugged in a what-are-friends-for way.

"Well…" Kelly said in an excited tone, "If we're done discussing this, I've got something I want to show you." The girls crowded closer to Kelly as she removed her iPad from her bag. She faced the screen towards them, the Apple logo facing her body.

A blurry, out-of-focus photograph of Scarlett leaving the Rocque Records building graced the front page of a popular gossip blog. Below, there was a caption that read, "Who is this mysterious blonde bombshell we spotted fleeing Rocque Records? Could it be who we think it is?"

Scarlett grabbed hold of the tablet in shock and gaped at the screen. "How come I didn't see any paparazzi?" she squeaked.

Kelly retrieved her iPad, tucking it back into its case. "They can be very sneaky. The good thing is that from the photo, you're pretty much unidentifiable. Unless, that is, you want to be identified."

Scarlett raised an eyebrow, clearly interested. "What do you mean?"

"Well, Gustavo has a friend who's opening a dance club in LA," Kelly began, reeling Scarlett in, "And Rocque Records just happens to be invited." Mercedes screeched loudly. Various customers around her clapped their hands over their ears, Scarlett included.

"I've already got an outfit made up in my head," Mercedes squealed. Scarlett found it difficult to get as excited as her friend.

"I don't know…" Scarlett murmured, staring at the tattoo on her wrist. Mercedes shot her a look.

"You're not obligated to perform," Kelly mentioned. "BTR's all over it." Scarlett found herself slowly being tempted. Clubs meant free booze, which was always good. "All you've got to do is answer a couple of questions for interviewers. It's purely business."

"Okay, I'll do it," Scarlett decided. Mercedes hugged her excitedly. Scarlett giggled, shoving her away.

"Is it okay if I come, too?" Nova asked, sitting up in her massage chair. Kelly nodded.

"So when's the party?" Mercedes asked, bouncing up and down in her seat.

"It'll be on Sunday," Kelly replied briskly. She rose to her feet and slung her Kate Spade bag over her shoulder. Then she turned to Scarlett. "Hopefully, you'll have made the decision to stay by then."

Scarlett nodded as she watched Kelly tell the cashier to put the expenses on her tab and turn to leave. Was there really anything that could convince her to stay in LA?

BTRBTRBTRBTRBTR

"Do you want me?"

Logan looked around the empty, white room he was in. Everything was a bit fuzzy, but Scarlett was completely visible. Perhaps a bit too visible. Logan pulled at his collar uncomfortably as his eyes traveled up and down her scantily clad body.

Scarlett was wearing a lacy red lingerie set that obviously had no trouble fitting to her long, lean, and tattoo-decked frame. Her blonde hair was back in its curls and it was pouring down her sides. Her lips were deep red as well, contrasting with her pearly-white Chiclet teeth.

"Do you want me?" she asked again, her dark eyebrows raised expectantly.

"Yes," Logan blurted, surprising himself with his response. What was he doing? Why was this happening? Logan gulped as Scarlett approached him, feeling unbearably hot.

Scarlett took his hands and placed them on her naked hips. Logan felt a chill go down his spine. She wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning in slowly. "Then have me," she breathed. Their lips were nearly touching.

"Logan…"

"Logan."

"Logan!"

Logan woke up with a start, shooting up in his bed. His heart was racing and he was struggling to control his breathing. Kendall stood over him with a concerned look on his face. "Dude, are you okay?"

Logan immediately pulled his comforter over his thighs, worried that his body might be giving him away. "I'm fine," he murmured. But he wasn't. Logan felt sweaty, guilty, and aroused all at the same time. "What happened?"

"Well, I woke up and heard you mumbling in your sleep," Kendall explained quickly. "You were tossing and turning like a maniac."

Logan felt heat rise to cheeks. "Could you, um"—he looked away in embarrassment—"Did you hear anything I was saying?" If he had even whispered Scarlett's name in his sleep, he was in deep shit.

Kendall frowned and shook his head. "Uh, no, it was mostly just a load of gibberish. Why?"

"No reason," Logan replied, kicking his sheets away from his legs. "Is the bathroom empty?"

"Yeah, I think James just finished his"—Before Kendall could finish, Logan had left the bedroom—"…shower."

Logan raced into the bathroom across the hall, slammed the door behind him, and locked it. Kendall probably thought he was a lunatic, but he had had to get out of there. Logan hunched over the sink and stared back at himself in the mirror. As always, he had dark circles under his eyes and a weary look on his face.

Logan glanced up at the clock hanging on the wall. There was almost half an hour until Kelly came to whisk them away to Rocque Records, so he could take a nice long shower. He jumped into the bathtub, adjusted the shower head so it faced him, and let his troubles go down the drain.

It wasn't working. He still felt guilty. "I didn't choose to have that dream," Logan muttered, pulling the shower curtain out of the way. "It just happened." He wrapped a towel around his waist and yawned. Just try to relax.

Logan unlocked the bathroom door and pulled it open. He gasped when he collided with the literal "girl of his dreams", Scarlett.

Scarlett yelped, latching onto Logan as the stumbled backwards, knocking over a few bottles of James' hair-care products.

For a second, Logan just held Scarlett in his arms, keeping her from falling. Then he shoved her away. Before he could stop himself, Logan exclaimed, "What the hell are you doing here?"

Scarlett stepped back. She was a bit shocked, not only by the fact that Logan had actually raised his voice, but also because he wasn't wearing anything. She couldn't stop thinking about how easy it would be to pull away the towel loosely hanging from his hips. "S-sorry," she stuttered, feeling foolish.

Logan pulled his towel tighter around him. He had never felt so exposed. "No, it's okay. You just scared me."

"Um, Kendall, he told me to, uh…" Scarlett stammered nervously. Her eyes surveyed Logan's muscular stomach and shoulders against her will. Holy hotness! "He wanted me to, um…come and get you."

Scarlett pulled off her glasses, sighing in relief when Logan's image blurred. "He invited me over for breakfast, since we're both headed to Rocque Records."

"Well, I'll be out in a sec," Logan said. "Um, would you mind…leaving?"

Scarlett sprang to life, stepping out of the cramped bathroom. "Right, sorry." She pulled the door closed and continued down the hall. That moment could only be described as awkward. She could still feel his strong biceps around her.

Katie glanced up when she heard someone walking into the living room. Scarlett had appeared out of nowhere, wearing a mint-green romper that was belted at the waist with a ribbon. It had black lace on the shoulders and cutouts in the sides.

Her long legs were clad in grey socks pulled up past her knees. Spiked wedge boots were laced up to her ankles. "Hey," she greeted, sitting up.

"Good to see you awake," Scarlett said, sitting down next to her on the orange couch. "Did you wake up just to see me?" she teased.

"Don't flatter yourself," Katie scoffed jokingly. "But yes, I did." Scarlett smiled and suppressed a yawn. The Knight household felt so awake compared to Lucy's, yet she felt super sleepy.

"So where are the boys? Isn't this their apartment?" Scarlett asked. She fingered at her beaded Peter-Pan-collar necklace absentmindedly, glancing around.

Katie hopped off of the couch to grab the television remote. "They went to grab some snacks from the vending machine in the lobby. Our mom might not be able to finish breakfast in time for you guys." Scarlett felt her stomach growl and tried to ignore her hunger.

"Maybe I could help out," Scarlett offered, standing. "Where is your mom anyway?"

"Right here." Scarlett swiveled around and almost backed into Mrs. Knight.

"Oh!" Scarlett exclaimed, grinning sheepishly. "Hi. It's so nice to see you again, Mrs. Knight."

"Oh, you too, dear," Jennifer replied half-heartedly. She crossed her arms and surveyed Scarlett uncomfortably. She had heard that Scarlett had returned to California, but she hadn't actually seen her until today. Mrs. Knight wasn't really sure if she wanted her there.

Scarlett hadn't exactly shown herself as a great role model the year before. She had gotten drunk, crashed a car, and tackled a girl all in the same night. Mrs. Knight normally wasn't one to judge, but Scarlett had given her plenty of reason to. Her present appearance wasn't helping much either.

Tattoos covered her bare arms and the cutouts in Scarlett's top exposed parts of her alabaster skin. She had so many piercings in her ears; there was barely any ear left. What did her mother think of this?

"Hey, do you need any help with breakfast?" Scarlett asked eagerly. "Kendall was sweet enough to invite me here, so I should really return the favor."

Mrs. Knight smiled, feeling a bit ashamed of her thoughts. "It's alright. I'll call you all in when I finish."

As she exited the living room, three members of Big Time Rush reentered, along with Camille Roberts. Carlos was hauling an armful of Fruit Smackers, looking as if he were about to drool all over them. Kendall and James followed behind him.

"Don't worry, guys," Scarlett assured, grabbing the Ralph Lauren bowler hat she'd left on the couch and perching it on the back of her head. "Kendall, your mom's almost done."

"Are you kidding me?" James laughed. "We just bought enough Fruit Smackers to last us the whole year."

"And the one after that," Kendall added, adjusting the beanie on his head.

"I'll eat them," Carlos murmured, staring at the fruit snacks lovingly.

"Oh, no you won't," Kendall warned, "I paid for all of those.

Camille knelt down next to him and tightened the straps on her ballet slippers. She looked up, meeting Scarlett's gaze. "Hey. You look so cute! Did you just step out of an American Eagle catalogue?"

Scarlett smiled and did a curtsy in her romper. "Thanks. I like your—"

"So where's Logan?" Camille interrupted, popping up to her feet. Her perfect dark curls bounced in slow-motion, held back by a peach-colored headband.

"Uh, he overslept. Probably still getting ready," James guessed. He reached his arms over his head in a stretch. Scarlett watched his large muscles flex, biting on her pinky nail absently. James' eyes drifted over to her and caught her staring. His eyebrows raised and he grinned cleverly. Scarlett felt her whole body heat up in mortification.

"Like what you see?" James whispered, brushing past her to get into the kitchen. Scarlett rolled her eyes and blushed simultaneously. She followed everyone else into the kitchen, leaning against the doorway.

Katie was placing a plate of scrambled eggs on the kitchen table. Kendall ruffled her hair playfully and pecked his mom on the cheek. Scarlett smiled wistfully at the scene. His family was so adorable…it made Scarlett wonder where the father was. And what her own father was doing.

"Sit with me," Katie ordered, pulling out the chair next to her. Scarlett snatched the pitcher of OJ by the handle and placed it on the table before taking her seat. James slid into the chair on the opposite side of Scarlett before she could stop him.

Just as everyone had begun to join around the table, Logan waltzed into the kitchen. Scarlett discreetly marveled at how good he looked in the morning. His dark hair was still damp and he was wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt that read "Trust me, I'm a Doctor" in big, bold letters over a thermal shirt.

Scarlett tried not to smile. Only Logan would wear a shirt with a Doctor Who reference on it. Camille looked up from her breakfast plate and squealed upon seeing her boyfriend, knocking Scarlett straight out of her daydream. Camille jumped out of her seat and flung her arms around Logan's neck.

Camille all but ambushed Logan, running her fingers through his dark hair and practically swallowing his face off.

James leaned towards Scarlett. "Is she cleaning his teeth with her tongue?" he asked with a gleam in his eyes. Scarlett lifted her hand to cover the smirk she was wearing.

"Okay, split up, you two," Mrs. Knight snapped, shaking her head. Logan pulled away from his girlfriend with a dazed look on his face. His cheeks were flushed and his hair was sticking up in all directions. Scarlett bit on the inside of her cheek in frustration. Even then, he looked sexy as hell.

Logan sat next to Kendall and Camille. He poured himself a glass of orange juice and tried to remain unnoticed.

"So, Scarlett, you're staying at the Palm Woods now?" Mrs. Knight asked, breaking the silence.

"Um, for now," Scarlett replied, "I have a place at a friend's, but I may not be staying here in California. I guess we'll see what happens…" Mrs. Knight smiled politely and lowered her eyes.

"Why don't you want to stay here?" Camille asked. A smile passed upon her face. "Is there a boy back home?"

Scarlett made a face. "As if."

"Why not?"

"The entire male population is a pain in the ass," Scarlett answered. Mrs. Knight's eyes bulged out.

"Scarlett!" she scolded. Scarlett slapped her hand over her lips.

"Oh, gosh, I'm sorry," Scarlett apologized, "I guess I've been in New York too long." Scarlett's cell phone vibrated angrily in her pocket. She quietly excused herself and crept out of the kitchen. A text from Mercedes lit up her screen.

Thank God for Mercedes, Scarlett thought. She'd felt as if she were being suffocated in that damn kitchen.

I'm here. So is Kelly. Hurry :)

Scarlett shoved her phone back into her pocket and peeked into the kitchen. "Kelly's here, guys. We gotta get going." Immediately, all four boys shoveled the remainder of the food into their mouths and pushed away from the table. Logan kissed Camille lightly on the lips before racing out past everyone.

James slowed his pace. Soon, he and Scarlett were walking in unison. "Are you going to join us in the limo?" James asked casually.

Scarlett shook her pretty blonde head, much to James' disappoint. "Mercedes is picking me up. She's helping negotiate with Griffin today." James nodded slowly.

"We'll miss you."

Scarlett smiled down at her shoes. "No, you guys'll find a way to survive without me. Besides, I don't think the others will really notice." James' arm brushed against Scarlett's. Her skin went all warm and tingly.

"I'll notice," James uttered softly. Their eyes locked together for a moment and then James jogged away to catch up with his buddies. James smacked Kendall's arm as he passed him. He'd been deep in conversation with Lucy until James shouted, "Would you two quit flirting and go out already?" The two teenagers blushed furiously.

A couple seconds later, Scarlett was in the shotgun seat of Mercedes' car, slipping on the pair of mirrored teashades.

"Ready to go?" Mercedes asked, wearing a matching pair.

"Ready as I'll ever be."

Meanwhile, in the BTR limo, the guys had just finished singing along to the radio. Blondie's "One Way or Another" faded away and an announcer took over. James reached up to the ceiling, decreasing the radio volume.

"I think Scarlett likes me," he said randomly, smiling to himself.

Logan snorted. "What gave you a crazy idea like that?"

James reached across the aisle and flicked Logan on the forehead. "Something in the way she looks at me." He stared out the window with a dreamy expression on his face.

"Well, you can't ask her out," Carlos pointed out. "Gustavo's gotten super strict on dating coworkers ever since she showed up."

"You all know I've never been very good with rules," James murmured, closing his eyes. Logan suddenly felt irritated, but why was beyond him.

BTRBTRBTRBTRBTR

Scarlett stepped out of Griffin's conference room, taking a deep breath. Things were actually going well. It was just taking a while. Her aunt kept butting in with suggestions, trying to do what was best for her niece. Mercedes would keep arguing with her father for him to agree. Scarlett had asked if she could grab some coffee…by herself.

The blonde wandered through the never-ending halls of Rocque Records, set on taking the longest amount of time she could to get back.

Logan, who was in the break room, held a foam cup underneath the spout of the coffee maker. He inhaled the sweet smell of Folgers and let his eyes flutter shut.

He opened one eye, hearing someone coming down the hall. Without turning around, Logan sighed, "Kendall, I told you I could get it myself."

"Oh, so now I'm a boy?" Logan straightened up, realizing that the person in the hall was not in fact his golden-haired friend. No, this voice was a bit higher, a bit sweeter, and a millions times more playful.

Logan turned around. Scarlett was leaning against the doorway, whose arms crossed over her chest. There was a whisper of a grin on her lips and her eyebrows were raised challengingly. Logan temporarily forgot how to speak.

"I mean, not only am I a boy, but I'm Kendall?" Scarlett continued, walking slowly across the white-tiled floor. "I mean, I love the guy, but I'm pretty sure my eyebrows are way nicer than his."

Logan returned his attention to the coffee. Coffee. It was uncomplicated. If coffee had a gender, it would definitely be male. "I thought Kendall followed me," he muttered, grabbing a couple of straws.

"He didn't," Scarlett said, coming even closer. "I just came down here to grab something to drink." Scarlett came up behind Logan and reached over his arm to get a cup. She pulled back abruptly, accidentally sending a scalding hot cup of joe onto Logan's shirt.

"Shit!" Scarlett exclaimed, retreating. She reached into the napkin dispenser and pulled out more than the necessary amount. "I'm so sorry. God, I'm such a klutz."

"It's okay," Logan chuckled. Scarlett desperately scrubbed at the humongous, totally-noticeable stain, standing dangerously close to Logan's body. She could smell the wax-scented balm that kept his hair so perfectly spiked. "Um, I think you're making it worse," Logan laughed.

"I think you're right," Scarlett giggled. Her eyes suddenly widened in alarm. "Oh shit, I didn't burn you, did I?"

"No, I'm fine," Logan protested. Scarlett pulled up his shirt just a smidge, swallowing hard. His abs up close were tanned and well-defined. She noticed an angry, red bruise forming just above his navel. Without thinking, Scarlett ran her fingers over it in concern. Logan breathed in sharply.

Realizing she'd overstepped her boundaries, Scarlett let go of his shirt. "Sorry about the burn," she whispered, her neck getting warmer. She kept her eyes on the tiny blue box on his shirt. "I hope the TARDIS still works with coffee in the engine." The TARDIS was a spaceship on the show—-

Logan's eyes lit up like flashbulbs. "You watch Doctor Who?"

Scarlett pushed her glasses back up the bridge of her nose. "Occasionally. I tend to geek out in private." She paused for a moment. "I can get your shirt dry-cleaned or something, if you just give it to me."

Logan gave Scarlett a strange look. "Don't you think it would look a little strange if I just stripped off my shirt and went back to the studio?"

I certainly wouldn't mind, Scarlett thought. "That would make it the second time I've seen your shirtless today."

Logan cracked a smile, his cheeks turning pink. Scarlett smiled back and cocked her head to the side. Logan's smile then faded and he turned back to the coffeepot.

"So I think James likes you," Logan said after a long pause, his back facing Scarlett.

"Really..."

"Yeah," Logan answered, sipping from a new cup. "Um, do you…like him?"

Scarlett seized the coffeepot and poured herself some. "Maybe," she replied mischievously, placing her cup on the countertop.

Logan held his breath. "Are you gonna act on it?"

Scarlett tossed her hair back and made eye contact with Logan. He didn't look away. "No, didn't you hear? No fornicating with the coworkers," Scarlett hissed, staring hard at Logan. He squirmed under her gaze. "Besides, how would James and I dating concern you?"

"James is my friend," Logan said calmly. "I'm just trying to look out for him."

Scarlett's eyes darkened. "What are you saying? Are you suggesting that I'd be the one doing the heart breaking?"

"What?! No, I—"

"That's ironic being that the only cheater in this room is you!" Scarlett cried, her eyes welling up with tears. "God, why does this happen whenever I'm around you?!"

Logan stepped towards her, placing a comforting hand on her arm. "Scarlett, hold up—"

"No!" Scarlett exclaimed, ripping away from him. Logan felt an overwhelming sadness come over him as Scarlett's face turned red. "Next time you see me, just keep your mouth shut, okay?"

Scarlett raced into the hall and stopped in her tracks. She'd never even gotten any coffee.

A/N: What did you guys think? Sorry this was so long. The next chapter is gonna get pretty wild, just so you're aware. I hope everyone had a great New Year. Thank you to each and every reviewer/favorite/follower. TTFN!