Page 17 of Fake Dating My Valentine

If I could turn back time, I’d slap my stupid mouth shut before I’d uttered those words to her. It wasn’t a mistake—not really—but it never should’ve happened. There was no future for us. As soon as I got the all-clear, I’d be back in the Army, chasing missions across the globe. Torey would stay here in Holiday Grove, building a life that didn’t include me.

A life that would include some lucky bastard who got to kiss her, touch her, and earn her beautiful laughter for the rest of his days.

“Nix. Lee. Don’t you both just havethe glowabout you.”

Krista’s voice cut through the tension like nails on a chalkboard. She appeared with her fake smile firmly in place—the one most people mistook for genuine interest. But I knew better. Krista was a snake who thrived on other people’s misery.

“Krista,” Nix greeted her through gritted teeth, her polite smile barely masking her irritation. It was clear she wasn’t welcome.

Lee, who had no reputation for being kind or polite, simply stared at her, unblinking.

Krista, sensing blood in the water, turned her attention to me and Torey. She arched a brow, cocked her hip, and smirked—a predator circling her prey. “Trouble in paradise?”

Beside me, Torey stiffened. Her anger was a tangible force, sharp and cutting, and Krista had just made herself the perfect target.

“Krista,” Torey said, her voice low and lethal, “why don’t you mind your business? Or better yet, focus on your own marriage before you become the next subject of the Matchmaking Brigade.”

Nix choked on a gasp.

Krista’s eyes widened as she sucked in a sharp breath, clearly stunned.

Lee chuckled, the smug bastard.

I tried to play it cool, but watching Torey put Krista in her place was undeniably hot.

Torey leaned forward, her brow arched in challenge, daring Krista to say more. When Krista turned on her heel and scampered off, Torey’s fiery gaze landed on me. The pub had gone eerily silent, and when Torey noticed, her head swiveled to find half the place staring at us.

She slid out of the booth, her hip brushing mine as she moved. “Excuse me.”

“I’ll come to the bathroom with you,” Nix offered, halfway to standing.

Torey placed a firm hand on her shoulder and pushed her back down. “Not necessary. I’m leaving.” She scowled at me once more for good measure before storming out of the pub.

I watched helplessly as she shoved the doors open with both hands and disappeared into the sunlight. “Dammit.” The word left my lips in a whispered growl, but it wasn’t quiet enough to escape my sister’s attention.

“What. Did. You. Do.” Nix leaned forward, bracing both palms on the table as if to keep herself grounded. “Well? Tell me!”

We locked eyes, the same way we used to during our epic childhood staring contests. Back then, our parents always had to intervene, sending us to our rooms to cool off. But this time, guilt rose within me, and Nix won. I blinked first.

“None of your business,” I muttered, “but I’ll fix it. I promise.” I wasn’t sure how, but I was determined to make things right.

“Good.” Nix leaned back and crossed her arms. “You better. Or else.”

“I hear ya, Nix. Loud and clear.” I waved off her threats and stood, shoving my hands into my pockets. “See you guys around.”

I left the pub at a fast clip, desperate to catch up to Torey. She couldn’t have gotten far. But when I reached the street, it was empty. I looked left, then right. No sign of her.

“Shit.” I picked up my pace, heading in the direction of her house. It had to be where she was going. She’d mentioned having work to do, and even though that was probably bullshit, she’d want to be somewhere she could be alone.

It only took five minutes to reach her little cottage, but I stood on the doorstep for two full minutes, trying to catch my breath and gather my thoughts. At the end of those two minutes, I still didn’t have a fucking clue what to say to her, but I knocked anyway.

And waited.

Shuffling sounds came from inside, so I knew she was there.

“Come on, Torey. Open up. Please.” My voice sounded desperate, even to my own ears. Had I ever sounded so pathetic in my life? I wasn’t in love with Torey—or at least, that’s what I kept telling myself. But I did love her. She’d been a part of my life for decades, longer than anyone outside my Army unit. “Torey, please.”

More movement came from inside, but she didn’t come to the door. She didn’t tell me to go to hell, either.

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