Page 21 of Texting My Valentine

“Don’t worry, my sweet Liliana. There’s no danger of me ever saying ‘rumpy bumpy’ in my life.”

I chew my cheek for a moment, wondering.

It would kind of be nice to meet him for a walk, but he left. I don’t even know his name.

“Remember.” Cleo nudges me. “Tonight isn’t about overthinking or worrying about tomorrow. It’s about living in the moment. Solive, Tori.”

Before I can text him, my phone goes off. The flood of excitement is similar to the wave that hits me when an audience applauds at one of my performances. Sure, it hasn’t happened loads of times, but that just makes the feeling more addictive.

Flirting with a man? That’s even rarer. I thought I’d lost him.

No, Tori, notlosthim. This is casual. I was never going tohavehim.

Valentine Stranger:Sorry, I was called away for work, Tori. I’m the chief of surgery at Jackson South. They need me for a complex consultation.

Tori:Wow, that’s impressive. But we’re not supposed to know each other’s names.

Valentine Stranger:It turns out my buddy isn’t as averse to playing games as I am. Julian arranged it so thatwe would have each other’s numbers. I won’t be able to text for long. I’m just waiting for a cab.

Tori:I know.Cleo was in on the game, too. I don’t even know your name, stranger.

Valentine Stranger:It’s Alex.And don’t worry. I didn’t leave because I was uninterested, if that’s what you’re thinking.

That’s good because I was worried. But I’m not going to tell him that. That’s the sort of thing Mom would admit, wearing her heart on her sleeve, apparently not caring if it slips and splats on the floor over and over.

Tori:I wasn’t worried, Alex. Your job is very important. Far more important than some silly Valentine’s texting.

Alex:I thought it was silly and pointless until I knew it was you.

I chew on my lip. Then, I quickly stop myself. I need to stop acting like some naïve lovestruck chick in a rom-com.

Tori:Next, you’ll tell me you were struck with a Cupid’s arrow, Alex. Do you use this line on all the girls?

Alex:I don’t use any lines on anybody, ever. How long do you think you’ll be at the bar?

Tori:I’m not sure. Until Lily gets bored and wants to go home to her fiancée, and Cleo goes home either with your friend or her secret Valentine. Or both.

Alex:What about you? Are you planning on going home with anybody?

Okay, this is pushy, right? At least, I’m sure I should find it pushy. It’s the sort of question Damien might ask, overstepping his boundaries.

Tori:What would you say if I said I was?

Alex:I’d tell you I’m going to leave work early to stop that from happening. You see, Tori, you’ve got a lot of responsibility here. You’ve basically become a surgeon yourself.

I laugh.

Tori:How’d you figure that?

Alex:Your reply is going to have a significant effect on the outcome.

Tori:So you’re telling me a man who has worked hard to get where you are would give it all up for a stranger?

Alex:Not just any stranger. The girl with the wild hair and curves in all the right places.

I roll my eyes, trying to play it cool, but Lily and Cleo are watching me knowingly. They both remain quiet as if they don’t want to break the spell.

Tori:What if I told the hunky, somewhat demanding silver fox that I wasn’t planning on going home with anybody? What if I asked him when he would be done with work?

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