Page 86 of You're To Blame 2

Later that night, we stepped inside the condo.

The huge chandelier brightened the first floor.

“Oh my god, what have you done?” Her hands framed her face.

She ran toward the sofa. “He’s so cute.” She wrapped her arms around the large tan bear with a big red bow around his neck.

Chelsea peeked at the array of candy on the glass coffee table.

“Tate, I can’t eat these huge boxes of chocolates alone.”

“You don’t have to. Take them to school Monday. Share them with Connie and Megan.”

“They even stamped my name in gold on the big red heart-shaped boxes. Nice touch, babe. Thank you.”

I stepped closer, kissed her hair, and peeled off her coat. “It’s nothing.”

This was our first Valentine’s Day together. I wanted the day to hold a special place in her heart. We had many more Valentine’s Days to come. I had to save the rest of my creative ideas for the future.

After I ditched our outerwear, I snaked my arms around her waist, and pushed her with my body toward the wooden steps.

“There are chocolate covered strawberries upstairs in the bedroom,” I whispered against her neck.

Her hands rested on mine as she walked up the stairs.

The second we were through the door; I unzipped her velvet dress. The girl I’d loved since kindergarten was here in my arms. I was the luckiest guy in the world. I was fortunate to get a second chance with her. After blaming her for my brother’s death, she never had to forgive me.

“Thanks for taking a chance on me.”

She turned in my arms and I caressed her soft skin.

Chelsea stared into my eyes. “I can’t say you didn’t make it hard to forgive you.”

I sighed. “Yeah, I was an asshole.”

She laughed. “King asshole.” Chelsea pecked my lips.

“But you were the only boy I ever loved.”

My eyes widened. “Yeah?”

“How could I not love the boy who poured glue in my seat?”

We laughed.

“That was my signature move, baby.”

She laughed hysterically.

“Alexa play our song,” I ordered.

The classic tune bellowed from the speaker.

“And darling, darling stand by me. Oh, stand by me.”

We swayed to the beat.

That night was truly one of a kind. It wasn’t about the sex. Our connection was important. And the bond between me and the only woman I ever loved was what mattered.

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