(Song for this scene Anthem Lights – Love you like the movies)
Logan double checked his appearance before he left the car and felt his heart racing as he walked up the stairs to collect Veronica. He was bursting with anticipation, he was nervous, he had been over-analysing tonight all day. He really hoped she would enjoy his date night idea and that it wouldn't just turn out to be a total disaster. If he hadn't been planning to drive he could've used a little bit of liquid courage right about now.
"Hello Logan" Keith Mars said as he greeted him at the door.
"Mr Mars" he smiled nervously. Her father wasn't the tallest man, about 5 ft 9 inches but the 35 years of being on the police force as Sheriff and his reputation of being Neptune's number one Private Investigator gave him a formidable presence, even if Logan did tower over him at 6ft.
Keith Mars was not a man to underestimate; he was stocky and muscled and had a glare that demanded respect. He was also the most important person in Veronica's life, even after the amnesia, so Logan wanted to get off on the right foot.
"Veronica… sweetheart, your friend is here" Keith called out but he never stopped glaring at Logan. "I expect her home no later than 10.30pm" he warned.
"Yes sir" Logan promised.
"I think we could stretch that to 11pm" Veronica teased as she kissed her father on the cheek.
"Alright... but I'm just a phone call away if you need anything" he told her as he surveyed Logan.
"So is Daisy" she smiled before she pet the brown pitbull and stepped outside onto the porch, closing the door behind them.
Logan stared in awe at the petite blond in front of him, she wore tall black boots over dark blue skinny jeans, with a pale pink button up blouse and a black jacket.
God I am already trying to figure out how to take all of this off of her…
"Hi" he smiled as his brown eyes drank her in.
"Hey" she grinned back, score one for Wallace and Daisy… wear something you can feel sexy and confident in.
"Uh… these are for you" he said timidly as he handed her small bouquet looking object.
Veronica raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"A bouquet of kitchen utensils?" she frowned as she unwrapped the fabric on the outside of it. "And an apron?" she asked as she looked at him in confusion.
"I uh… thought we might try a cooking class tonight… we could make each other dinner… there's this little Italian place just opened up on the Neptune Plaza near the Boardwalk… they do these couples lessons.." Logan explained nervously. "Mine are in the car… but if you'd rather we go someplace else… we can…"
"A cooking class?" she repeated incredulously.
"Yeah… it was that or a Trivia night… but I figured since I'm mostly a Mac-n-Cheese kind of guy when the family chef isn't around and you've pretty much forgotten how… it might be fun…" he smiled back.
We can learn together… I don't care what we are doing as long as you are here…
Veronica was genuinely impressed; it was so unexpected and thoughtful, and it made her feel more relaxed...
"That sounds perfect" she smiled, her blue eyes sparkled with warmth at him and Logan felt the tension release as he reached out and took her hand.
"Alright.. let's go" he replied nervously.
Keep your hands to yourself Echolls… just breathe… Logan reminded himself as he opened the car door. Being this close to his back seat made it a struggle not to pull her to his body and kiss her again.
The Aroma Grove was a new Italian run family business that he had heard about from Nadia Alonso his families personal chef, there were couples classes on every weekend and he really hoped this went well. The ridiculous apron's he'd picked up he hoped would distract from his complete lack of experience in the kitchen.
"Mr Good Lookin' is Cookin' huh?" she smiled as she stared at his apron.
"Hey, it was either this or 'I turn Grills on'" he joked.
"Classy, Sassy and a bit Smart Assy? Wow.. I am amazed and a little impressed… you refrained from getting the one that makes it looked like I'm in sexy underwear" she teased as she put on her own apron.
"Yeah… I don't need the extra temptation" Logan admitted as he stared as she pulled her blond hair up into a messy bun.
"Okay everyone… tonight we are going to be making a few simple dishes, Panzenella for starters, this is a Tuscan bread salad followed by Chicken Cacciatore and Grapefruit Zabaglione over Mixed Berries for dessert" Anselma Padovano the instructor told them.
"We will be working in teams of 4, so some of our more experienced class members will be joining some of our new faces… if anyone has any questions or concerns please raise your hands" she smiled.
"Hello, I am Mage and this is my husband Daniel" an older woman in her 50's said as they approached the counter where Logan and Veronica were sorting through a small basket of vegetables.
"Veronica.. and this is Logan" she smiled as she shook her hand.
"Have you been to a class like this before?" Daniel asked politely.
"Uh.. no.. it's our first time" Logan said nervously.
"Well, don't worry.. Mage will keep you right" he smiled back.
The class was fun, although they had spent most of it feeding each other the ingredients by the time they were finished so they weren't very hungry by the time the group all sat down together to eat their meals when they were finished, they just sat across from one another stealing glances as the others in their class shared stories. Mage and Daniel Hartnett were regulars at the Murano restaurant cooking class in San Diego but they were spending a few weeks in Neptune for their holidays.
They had seemed very interested in passing on relationship advice when they found out that this was a first date.
"You should keep a man who knows his way around the kitchen" Mage had winked and Logan was amused when Veronica blushed nervously.
She looked so damn kissable as she focused on her work in the kitchen.
Being around her was just… so easy… so comfortable...
"I had a great time" Veronica smiled as they left the restaurant and carried the small leftovers Tupperware box in her hands.
"It's not over yet" Logan grinned as he glanced at his watch. "It's only 9.47pm… I still got some time"
"Okay.. what did you have in mind?" Veronica laughed.
They went to Java the Hut for some hot chocolates to go along the Neptune Plaza Pier and left the Tupperware box in his car while he grabbed a small basket from his trunk and he walked her down to the beach. The hot chocolate kept her hands warm as they walked along the sand, it was a little cold and the sky looked like it had exploded with stars as the moonlight danced off the water. The smell of the salt and sand filled the air as they made their way towards a large ring of driftwood seats near a large fire pit.
"They have these beach fires you can rent out… I got us one for an hour" he explained as he pulled out a bag of marshmallows and chocolate sauce. "You probably don't remember this… but S'mores and chocolate sauce is one of your favourite things" he told her shyly as he lit up the small bonfire and joined her under the large blanket that he pulled from the basket and sat beside her, putting his arm around her waist and pulling her closer.
Veronica moaned softly as he kissed her deep and slow, his mouth tasted of chocolate, she put her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.
"I think you just found one of my new favourite things" she whispered as he cupped her face and his brown eyes looked like they were ablaze as the fire danced in them. "Being here with you…"
"Yeah? You taste like marshmallows" he teased as he lifted a s'more stick and popped a chocolate covered melting marshmallow in her mouth.
Logan couldn't quite explain the lightness he felt while he watched her giggle as she tried to stop the giant marshmallow in her mouth from falling out, the emotions building inside him made him feel like his heart was on a whole different planet…
I am completely smitten…
He couldn't find a language to describe these feelings, not even poetry could explain them. Logan wanted to lay her back in the sand and explore every part of her… he wanted to stay there under the stars with her in his arms. The sounds she made when he kissed her neck were so unbearably arousing.. he was hot for her...
"I have to get you home" he rasped, his voice was husky as he forced his hands to stop playing with the buttons on her pink blouse. His heart was pounding in his chest as her blue eyes gazed into his.
God it would be so easy to undress her right here in the sand… the thought almost did him in.
Leaving her back to her house that night had been torment, he ached for her.
"Goodnight Logan" she said as she kissed him on the cheek and went up to her apartment.
Logan couldn't sleep that night, he just on the sun lounger in his garden that night under the stars with the blanket wrapped around him. He knew for certain now… he was in love with Veronica Mars… and maybe just maybe… she felt the same way about him too.
"I think you just found one of my new favourite things… being with you…"
Dear Diary,
Tonight had been completely unexpected... If there was such a thing as a perfect night I never want to forget… it was tonight.
Logan Echolls… you are stealing my heart.