Page 56 of That Secret Something

She stared at me, her eyebrows pulling together. “Really?”

“That you find surprising? Out of all the things, the way I feel about you shouldn’t be one of them.”

She smiled, and it pulled at my stomach. I was so doomed. Rebecca Lawson would be the death of me—it was official. Write it on my tombstone.

Her smile grew wider. “Speaking of surprises…” She jumped up suddenly and ran for her denim jacket, searching the pockets and pulling something out. She hid it behind her back as she slinked back over.

“What is that?”

“Well, that would ruin the whole notion of a surprise, wouldn’t it?” She handed me a small pink envelope.

I wasn’t expecting that. I raised an eyebrow at her, unease itching underneath my skin.

“Don’t look so afraid, Jess.” She laughed but seemed uncertain too. That was even more odd.

I slid my finger under the envelope, shimmied it along, and pulled out a little red card.

You’re a hot-tea

A cute cartoon picture of a cup of tea smiled back at me, little hearts dotted all over the page.

I glanced back at Rebecca. “What…?”

She gave a shy smile and nodded back at the card.

I flipped it open and read:

Happy Valentine’s Day, Grant

It’s very weird to write this card for you because it doesn’t feel weird at all. Even if this is most definitely breaking the rules. But I’ve decided I hate the rules. I don’t want us to have to follow rules (even if you do make an exceptional cup of tea).

I want the unfiltered you. The watching rubbish TV you. The quiet you that loves to do jigsaws (for some reason).

To summarise (big word), I want you.

Do you want me too?

Please RVSP in the form of a kiss/slap on the wrist.

P.S If you say no, this was just an early April Fool’s

I re-read it three times, just to make sure this wasn’t going to be the punchline to an untasteful joke. I checked my watch and confirmed it was February 14th, too. It’d completely slipped my mind.

When I turned back to Rebecca, she looked as though she was the one about to have a panic attack.

“A kiss or a slap on the wrist. Is there another option?” I asked, waiting for the confusion to roll across her face before continuing. “Can I do both at the same time?” I laughed and pulled her towards me.

“Jeez. Could you make me wait any longer? I’m dying over here.”

I soaked her in, drawing out the intensity of the moment. “There’s some things we need to talk about first.”

She slid her hands up my waist. “Okay, talking. Yep, one of my favourites.”

I took her face in my hands, running my fingers through her silky hair. My lips hovered above hers, and she stilled, her breath tickling my face.

“And we need to figure out something about Lily, too,” I said.

“Of course.” She nodded, lowering her voice to its sexy low register. “Can we please not think about my sister right now, though?” She lowered her hands, grasping my bum.

---