Probably is okay. Like you, I would start in the middle & Criss-Cross my way to the outside. Since the tightening torque is only 10 N-m, I didn't do a 2-step tightening process. I just applied the 10 N-m to each screw. But I did go back & re-apply the tightening torque a 2nd time since some screws could loosen a little as adjacent screws are tightened during the 1st pass. (Note: I do this also when tightening lug bolts or lug nuts on wheels.) Below is the torque sequence for the Cylinder head (for reference).