Logan watched as they drove past Callum's apartment building and even further from Logan's home. "Uh, my place is back there."

"I had another idea," he said sheepishly. "Hope you don't mind the detour."

Logan hummed. "This sounds like the beginning of a murder movie."

Callum scoffed. "What, you don't trust me?"

Logan didn't argue; instead, looking at the different shops and apartments lining this part of town. He hadn't done much exploring in the months he'd been here and never really had a motive to do so. He knew that he'd like to one day but never got around to it. He admired the different and often clashing architectural styles that varied so different from what he was used to back in New York. It was nice not staring at a bunch of skyscrapers or hordes of tourists. Los Angeles had its fair share, but this part of town felt more relaxed.

Logan finally caved after the radio played a few songs. "Okay, really, though. Where are we going?"

Callum mimicked Logan's hum from earlier, not saying anything until they reached a red light. "You said you haven't really explored yet."

Logan frowned. "And?"

"And," Callum said. "I know just the place you should check out."

Logan had no idea what Callum could have meant, except maybe some other restaurant that he might know the owners of, but they just had brunch. Around them were just houses, shops, and apartments, and Logan knew that even if he opened his maps app, there was no telling where they were headed.

Logan didn't question him further; instead, taking in the sights of places Logan's never heard of. It wasn't until they drove past the airport did Logan begin to speculate again. "Are you taking me to the beach?"

Callum bit his lip as if to suppress a smirk. "Maybe."

He found it hard to contain his excitement. "I haven't been to a beach since I was a kid."

"Seriously?"

"I mean, I've seen the Great Lakes, the Falls, even the harbors in New York, but never an actual beach while I was there." Logan could spot the Pacific Ocean as they made a right turn. "The water is never that color."

"I still can't believe you haven't visited the beaches here yet."

"It always seems so hectic. Plus, I've yet to get used to the streets here."

Callum nodded. "Well, welcome to Santa Monica Beach. It's surprisingly not that crazy today unless we get closer to the pier."

Logan's eyes widened. "Pier? Like the one in the movies? With the amusement rides?"

"That's the one."

As Callum pulled up to the parking lot, Logan sat at the edge of his seat, in complete awe of the view. "I really underestimated how big the beach was."

"It's not that bad," Callum said as he put the car in park. "Come on."

***

Callum and Logan ordered ice cream from one of the food trucks lining the parking lots before walking to a quieter part of the beach. It was surprisingly empty for a Saturday, but Logan wasn't about to complain. He didn't like being in crowded places, even in open spaces like a beach, but he did feel at ease that nobody really would care if they saw them together. Most of the people there were tourists or busy working out to pay them any mind.

About halfway into Logan's ice cream, he said, "doesn't this feel awfully like a date. Or two dates, really. First the brunch, and now ice cream at the beach."

Callum nearly dropped his ice cream cone. "I didn't think about that."

"Oh, come on." Logan gestured to the oversized clothes he had on. "I'm even wearing your clothes."

"Well, when you put it that way," Callum trailed.

Logan took another bite of his ice cream. "Would it really be any different if we did—you know...date?"

Callum turned to him as if Logan had grown another head. "I—"

"I mean, after all, we already passed that line, right?" Logan balanced his spoon between his fingers, bouncing it up and down as he spoke. "Obviously, it would be different at work, and that's something we'd have to talk about. But going on these brunches or ice cream rendezvous, I mean, that could still be a thing."

"It would change many things," Callum said slowly and deliberately. "There'd be the rumors around the office, possibly the press. That and dealing with Charlotte more."

"If I can manage dealing with Chris for years, I think I can handle the rumors and Charlotte. She's lovely."

Callum made a face. "There's also the chance my exes might say something. Or my father."

Logan sighed. "Is this you trying to convince me it's a bad idea again?"

"Again?"

"Being involved with you," Logan said matter-of-factly. "Or are you just trying to convince yourself?

Callum stiffened. "I—"

"Especially with how convinced you are that I'll run back to New York, right? Do you still think that after you've met my asshole of an ex?" Logan shuddered. "I thought you'd think otherwise by now."

"Was I that obvious?"

Logan rolled his eyes. "You mentioned the wonders of New York every chance you got around me; you're not exactly subtle."

Callum grimaced. "Yeah, Charlotte's mentioned that a few times."

They let out a soft laugh as they finished their ice creams, walking closer to the water. They remained on the dryer part of the sand, neither willing to get their feet wet even after removing their shoes. Occasionally Logan leaped over the layer of seashells that divided the warm, soft sand and the damp sand, something Callum found amusing. A few kids would run past them on their way to the water, but the fewer people there were as they further walked from the pier. Logan didn't mind the other beach-goers, but it was easier for them to talk without getting interrupted by screaming children.

After a few minutes of roaming, Callum found a spot with less shells and debris before sitting in the sand. Logan dropped his shoes down next to him and sat beside him.

"This morning," Logan said. "I couldn't help but notice the picture frames."

Callum looked down. "Ah."

"I didn't mean to snoop, but—" Logan closed his eyes. "I'm assuming that was Tess?"

He nodded. "Yeah. I've only ever got married to her."

Logan pursed his lips. "Is it true she was pregnant?"

Callum turned to him before laughing out loud. "Gods no. She faked it."

"Faked a pregnancy?"

"Yeah. It's hard to believe, but it was a part of her scheme," Callum said. "Used it as leverage for court. Still accused me of cheating anyway. Not like she really cared; she was cheating before we even got married."

Logan let his words sink in. "And I thought Chris was an asshole."

Callum scoffed. "They might get along, those two. You think it's weird I still have that photo?"

Logan shook his head before reaching for his phone. He opened his photo album, scrolling through the photos of him and Chris to show Callum. "I don't think so. I still have pictures of Chris on my phone. There are still some good memories from the number of years we've dated. Completely erasing it would mean getting rid of the past six years of my life. And he wasn't always like that, especially in the beginning."

"You make it sound so eloquent. I assumed I was insane for keeping that photo and the rings. Especially with the damage she's done." Callum shook his head. "Everyone asks why I haven't thrown everything of hers away. And, well, yeah, I'm mad about what she did, but I still remember all the good things we had, as brief as they were."

"You did look happy in that photo."

"I was," Callum said. "From when we first met till our marriage, I felt genuinely happy. She was easy to talk to, kind and had a sense of humor. Being around her had been easy at the time. She didn't mind that I was busy with work a lot or that I had to travel for work. And she got along well with my father. I thought she'd be the one. Get my father off my back about settling down and inheriting the company. We'd have maybe a couple of kids—not that I was ready or prepared for that—but it seemed perfect. I couldn't deny that I was attracted to her, and I could see something more with her. But it wasn't even a couple of months when I noticed her demeanor change."

"It was a farce," Logan filled in. "The things she did."

Callum nodded before sighing. "I should've known. Really went downhill when I expressed how I felt. About my past relationships—mainly the men I've dated. She didn't seem bothered by it initially, but whenever a new rumor or scandal went around about me being even remotely close with a coworker, she wouldn't let me explain. Doing things like paying for lunch or sharing an elevator, for example, would start an argument."

"She'd have a field day with us if you were still married."

Callum laughed. "Oh, definitely."

"Is that why you haven't dated since the divorce?" Logan wondered if he said too much, but Callum didn't seem fazed. "Why you're so hesitant to?"

Slowly, he nodded. "You've figured me all out, have you?"

Logan smiled. "Maybe."

"It's just after Tess; dating just seems like a hellscape. I guess I'm just more afraid of it ending the way it did. Or afraid of the pain of ending a relationship. They're never fun," Callum said as he turned to the rest of the beach. Couples and children were playing, making sandcastles. "I shouldn't be; all these people have it figured out, right?"

"It's scary," Logan echoed. "But I think it's worth it. I think marriage is scarier."

Callum laughed. "Oh, for sure. You should've seen me proposing to Tess. That was the real mess. I nearly lost the rings. Not to mention the wedding costs and arrangements."

Logan rolled his eyes. "You were with her almost a year, right?"

Callum nodded. "After we divorced, I decided I didn't want to marry a woman again, especially with people's expectations. Having children with someone and treating them as heirs and successors just seems cruel and outdated. I wouldn't want that kind of life for them or have that kind of expectation for a wife. It would be too burdensome for them, and I don't think that's fair." He frowned. "And seeing how so many people only look at me because I'm a CEO or my father's company just makes everything more complicated."

"You'd want children?"

Callum pursed his lips. "Honestly, I don't know. Even if I promised them they could do and be whatever they wanted, the expectations would still be there. And if my father's still around, who knows what would happen."

Logan nodded along. The waves continued to crash on the shore as Callum sighed.

"Truthfully, I don't think I can see myself with a woman long-term anymore. That probably sounds weird and crazy. I—I'm still attracted to women, don't get me wrong. I just see myself being with a man long-term. Marrying a guy and not worrying about people asking about children—of course, there's always adoption or surrogacy—but it wouldn't be this big expectation from anyone. I could just assign the company to someone else and not have to push it on my child like my father did—" Callum stopped himself as his face flushed. "Not that I'm suggesting marriage or thinking about that right now. It could just be a lifetime boyfriend, and I'd be happy."

Logan laughed aloud enough that a kid had turned to look at them. Callum bit back a laugh as the kid slowly went back to making his sandcastle.

Logan hesitantly put his hand on Callum's shoulder. "Who cares what your father thinks. He has no right in who you love, marry, or even date, to cry out loud. You're not a kid anymore; you're the freaking CEO of the company. Sure it was his at one point, but now he's not; you are."

Callum chuckled. "Yeah, I know that. It's just hard to remember that."

Callum's words held this raw and vulnerable tone, much like the tenderness he had shown when he was drunk last night. Words so honest that was rarely something anybody would've been comfortable sharing like this. But Logan knew those words, knew the thoughts and sentiments behind each word Callum spilled from his lips. He knew the feeling all too well. "Sorry about my rambling nonsense."

"It's not nonsense," Logan reassured. "I spent years with Chris because it was easy, convenient even. I was so used to being complacent and ignoring all the red flags because I hated the idea of change. I was so used to listening to what he wanted, what he didn't like, trying to appease him. But for what? He never listened to me about what I liked or disliked. Yet I stayed because I hated the idea of being...of being alone and on my own again."

A few waves crashed against the shore as Logan gathered his thoughts, Callum staring intently and patiently at the horizon. "But change is a good thing. Sure being alone sucks; it absolutely feels shitty at times, but it can be eye-opening. See the things you couldn't see before. Learn some things about yourself, or unlearn the things someone else has made you believe."

Logan wasn't sure if he was projecting or actually giving advice at this point, but Callum didn't seem to mind. He turned to Logan. "It took me a long time to unlearn things after Tess. I'm still unlearning those things and still learning about myself as well. I've recently learned that I'm not as subtle as I'd like to be."

Logan laughed; first, Callum joined in after.

Logan leaned closer to Callum then. "Being subtle is boring. Be loud, proud, and whatever else you'd like to be. It's your life. Choose what makes you happy, not what makes other people happy."

Callum nodded. "You're really surprising; you know that?"

Logan shrugged. "I've got a few tricks up my sleeve. Those could just be some cheesy quotes from some famous person I don't even know."

"But really," Logan continued. "Divorcing someone or getting out of a terrible relationship should be something you're proud of—instead of being stuck in a relationship that doesn't work. I learned that the hard way. It took me a long, long time to realize that. Relationships—or love, shouldn't feel like a trap. It should feel—feel...."

"Freeing?"

Logan looked at Callum, seeing the gentle smile he had seen last night. He smiled. "Freeing."

"Thanks," Callum said. "I think I needed to hear that."

"I think we all need that sometimes." Logan shrugged. "Frick, I think I needed that too."

They let the sound of the lapping waves continue, occasionally glancing at the small crowds of people scattered along the beach, a few kids playing in the breaking waves, while a few swimmers ventured further out.

After a few moments, Logan turned to Callum with a slight smirk. "So about dating?"

Callum bit his lip, failing to contain the grin on his face. He wasn't sure what to say—or how to say what he wanted to say. He stared down at the sand between them, Logan leaning on the palms of his hands as he looked at him expectantly.

Slowly, Callum inched his hand closer to Logan's, cautiously closing the gap between them before resting his hand on top of Logan's hand. His eyes trailed slowly up Logan's arm, up to his neck, before finally looking at the kind regard Logan always shown him.

Logan smiled back, adjusting their hands so that Logan could intertwine their fingers.