Page 22 of Texting My Valentine

Alex:Then maybe this slightly obsessed man would ask— translation: demand—for you to meet him for a romantic midnight beach stroll.

I gasp.

“What?” Lily asks.

“Nothing,” I mutter.

She’ll start talking about destiny, sweet surrenders, and soulmates if I tell her.

“You can’t make that noise and then not tell us,” Lily demands.

“What noise?” I say, trying to play it cool.

Cleo throws her hands up like a heroine from a Regency drama, letting out the most over-the-top gasp, straining so that the veins on her neck bulge.

“Jeez, relax,” I say, wiping a tear from my eye, laughing. “You’re going to burst a blood vessel.”

“How was that?” Cleo says.

Lily grins mischievously. “Perfect.”

“It’s nothing,” I say, waving my hand at them to settle down. “He just suggested a beach walk, that’s all. But we’re in Miami. It’s not like it’s unusual to suggest going to the beach, is it?”

Right on cue, Lily says, “Duh. Fate.”

“There’s only one thing for it,” Cleo says. “Rush to the bathroom, whip off your top, show him some cleavage to keep him interested…”

“She doesn’t want to give the wrong impression,” Lily interjects.

“But this is the right impression!” Cleo exclaims excitedly. “She wants him to know it’s casual. What’s more casual than that?”

“I’m not doing that,” I say.

“But you want to,” Cleo teases.

She’s not entirely wrong, which is just plain crazy. There’s a part of me that wants to do it, especially because I’m a little stunned that he wants me.

I’ve had attention from guys before, but not a lot, and nobody like Alex. My body still tingles from when he stood up for me, his muscles straining, his intense eyes looking ready to fight for me.

I take a breath. I can do this. I can have some casual fun. I’m not an alien. I’m a twenty-one-year-old woman, just like Cleo, like any other girl in this place. I don’t have to be so serious all the time.

Dad’s death didn’t stain me. Mom’s irresponsible attitude toward relationships hasn’t ruined me.

I can be normal.

Tori:That sounds perfect, but don’t expect any rumpy bumpy.

Alex:You made fun of me for typing ‘laugh out loud’… I think you’ve got me beat with ‘rumpy bumpy,’ Tori.

I smile.

Tori:Maybe I’m just an old soul.

South Beach is still busy with people spilling out of the bars. A few joggers pass me by as I wait anxiously. My arms are wrapped across my middle, but not because of the weather. It’sa relatively warm night, plus I’ve got this bubbling excitement-nerve hybrid to heat me up.

I keep thinking about backing out. Lily’s at home with her man. Cleo is somewhere withhernew man… at least for the night.

I could leave, walk to one of the bars, wait inside, and call a taxi. Two lovers walk by, arms wrapped around each other, so close it’s like they want to sink into each other.

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