Page 27 of Fake Dating My Valentine

"I haven’t, but what does that have to do with anything?"

Instead of answering, I flipped the switch on her coffee maker and nodded at the mug on the counter. "Go on."

She gasped when she saw two brown sugars and a dash of cream inside. "How did you know?"

"I pay attention," I told her simply.

"You made coffee." She went to the gurgling pot and stuck her mug under the drip until it was full. It wasn’t until shereturned that she found the note under her mug. "Had to go to PT, see you after."

She was beautiful when her cheeks flushed bright pink. "It’s after. I’m here."

"Sorry," she murmured into her mug, smiling around the rim. "Strong coffee. Thank you."

"You’re welcome." I found that I was becoming addicted to that small smile of hers, the one that was without sass or sarcasm, but full of sweetness. I liked them all, to be honest, but that smile felt like it was just for me.

"So, are you back for round four?"

I grinned as I filled a mug for myself. "Don’t you mean round five? Six if you count?—"

"Okay, fine!" Both of her hands went to her blushing cheeks. "Back foranotherround?"

"Always," I assured her. "But not yet. Get dressed."

She frowned. "We have karaoke tonight."

"Yeah, but that's hours away." I nodded towards the stairs. "We’ll be back in time. I promise."

"Fine." She finished her cup and rushed upstairs, leaving me smiling after her.

The feelings I had for Torey were anything but casual, which made me feel like a special kind of prick. I knew I wasn’t staying, not even if I couldn’t get back in the field. The Army was my life and my career, and all morning, as I watched her sleep and kissed her goodbye, as I got put through my paces in PT, I realized that I was going back no matter what.

"Ryan? Everything okay?" Torey stood right in front of me and snapped her fingers. "If you’ve changed your mind,"

"I haven’t. Come on." I took her hand in mine, palm to palm, and guided her out to my truck where I might have helped her in with my hands firmly on her fantastic ass.

"So where are we going?" She turned in her seat, watching me closely.

"I don’t get home often and since I’m here now and we’re doing karaoke tonight, there’s something I need to do." I realized after about twenty minutes on the road that I might have handled this all wrong. "Shit. I’m going to see a friend, and she’s—" I sighed, unsure how to explain it without drawing her pity.

"You’re taking me to see an ex?" Her tone was sharp.

"No. She’s not an ex. I wouldn’t do that." It was actually far worse than that.

"Okay. Let’s go see your friend."

Like a coward, I took the out she gave me until we stopped in front of a large Victorian with green doors and shutters and flowerboxes beneath the windows. "We’re here."

"This place is beautiful." She hopped out of the truck and started up the walkway to me.

I knocked and shoved my hands deep in my pockets. My heart pounded as I waited, and luckily, I didn’t have to wait long. The door opened, and Vicki’s eyes went wide, and then a smile came. "Vicki, you look beautiful as always."

She rolled her eyes and pulled me in for a one-armed hug since she had a toddler hanging from her hip. "I’m tired and fat and in need of a week-long nap. But thanks for trying." She turned to Torey with a smile. "You brought a friend. Come in."

Torey went inside and scanned the area all around her. "Your home is gorgeous, Vicki. I’m Torey, by the way." She slid a confused glare in my direction.

"Nice to meet you, Torey. You must be special if he brought you."

Torey shrugged. "I’m not sure where we are other than Vicki’s house. Vicki who is not an ex."

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