Closed Doors, Open Windows
November 2016
London
After their talk, Logan and Odette's immediately set out to officially begin their "uncoupling". Odette started out by informing the Claude, wedding coordinator, who because he always sided with Logan's mother and her stepmother, was a person she grew to hate with a passion. It took every ounce of her being not to be gleeful when she informed him that the wedding was canceled and that after he informed all the vendors, his services were no longer needed. Next, they informed their immediate families, who received the news with mixed emotion. As expected, both sets of parents were upset and angry, both demanding further explanation than, "it just wasn't right." Both sets of parents implored them not to be hasty in their decision, citing cold feet, wedding jitters, and all other cliches associated with canceling a wedding.
"Logan don't be so hasty. You and Odette are perfect for each other. Perhaps maybe you can go to therapy." Implored Logan 's mother. "Mom, there isn't anything a counselor can do. We've made up our minds." Logan replied.
"We've put so much time, energy, and money into this wedding..." Shira continued.
"Mother! It's over, let it go and be thankful for wedding insurance."
"You can tell me Logan", Mitchum asked when Shira left the phone conversation, "is there someone else?"
Logan sighed, partially because he knew this line of questioning was coming and partially because the truth was complicated, "No, there is no one else. We realized that it wasn't right. You should be happy that I am saving you from a potentially expensive divorce."
Logan's sister Honor received the news with a bit of relief, "Honestly Logan, as nice as she was, and as well as you got along, there was something not quite right about you two."
"I guess your instincts were right," Logan told his sister.
"Yes, but it is sad nonetheless."
"There is more. You have to promise to keep this to yourself."
"Ok, what is it."
"There's someone else."
"Really?
"Odette has been having an affair for the last two months. I caught them together; nothing too traumatic, just kissing the kitchen."
"That bitch."
"Hold on, before you make your judgments I have to confess, I have been seeing someone too."
Logan heard nothing but silence.
"Honor?" Logan asked, "are you there?"
"I'm still here, I'm just in shock. Despite my doubts, you seemed so into Odette. So who is this woman you found so irresistible?"
"Rory Gilmore."
More silence.
"Honor?"
"Oh! My! GOD! Logan! What were you thinking? That woman hung you out to dry! You were so heartbroken when you broke up!"
"I know but..."
"How long?"
"What?"
"How long have you been seeing each other?"
"For about a year."
"Oh dear God. How?"
"We reconnected by chance in Hamburg last June. Nothing happened that day, but there was definitely still a spark between us. We started talking on a regular basis when her grandfather died. Then she came to London on assignment, and well the rest is history."
Sighing in frustration Honor said, "I give you credit. At least you had the intelligence to not marry Odette. So what is Rory waiting in the wings? Are you waiting the proper mourning period until you can make your debut as a couple?"
"Actually, we are no longer together anymore. The last time I saw her was in mid-October."
"Logan, you're giving me a headache. So what, you are now free and single aaannnddd..."
"...I'm going to try to win her back. I love her Honor. I want her back."
Again, Honor was silent.
"I'm still here, just processing. I knew there was something about her. Even Odette could not get that woman out of your system." Honor said.
"Yes, she is it for me."
"Well then go get her Logan..."
That evening, after dinner and a heartfelt goodbye, Logan moved to the Dorchester, where he stayed for the next two days before taking off to India for his next business trip. During his time away, Odette packed up her belonging and moved back to Paris. A week later, Logan came home to an Odette free flat (while the contents of the flat were not terribly depleted, her presence was noticeably gone.) Logan wanted to call Rory right away and tell her about the change in his situation, to tell her how he felt and how he wanted her back in his life for good, but out of respect for Odette and also to protect Rory from any gossip or accusations, he decided to let matters regarding his botched engagement die down before contacting her.
Somehow, Logan's parents found out about Odette's affair with Benoit, garnering from them some understanding and sympathy. Logan used those emotions to his advantage, telling his father that he needed a clean start and that moving back home to the States was the best option for him. Logan knew that his New York-based counterpart was looking to transfer to their China office in order to follow her husband who got a faculty position at the New York University Shanghai. After agreeing Logan worked with his dad to find his replacement in London. It was not very hard, as Logan's number two was perfectly capable of taking over. Logan projected it would take about a month taking his return to The States around the middle of December. Being back in The States permanently gives me better chances of winning Rory back, Logan surmised. He did it before and he could do it again, he told himself. Only he hoped that she was receptive to trying. Nevertheless, he was going to try. He was going to say and do all the things he should have the past two years, since that day in Hamburg. No more being scared, no more doubt. He was going for broke.