Page 50 of Texting My Valentine

The next time I see Alex—if I even let there be a next time—I’ll demand to know the truth about ‘Elliot.’ Or maybe I’ll just let this Valentine’s crush fade.

When I walk onto the street, the night is dark, the air cool. I wrap my arms around myself, constantly looking over my shoulder. For Damien, yes, but also to check if Alex is following me.

This stupidly romantic scene plays in my head: Alex rushing down the street, sweeping me into his arms, kissing me passionately, and declaring that he’d never betray me.

Yeah, right…

Yada yada yada.

Real life doesn’t work like that, Tori.

CHAPTER 16

ALEX

When I wake, and Tori is gone, panic sets in. I call her. She rejects the call and sends a text in response.

Tori:Can’t talk right now. Having breakfast with Mom.

That seems remarkably blunt after what we shared last night.

When she told me she was a virgin, it took every shred of self-control I possessed not to leap on her, glide my hands all over her body, and tear her clothes off.

I had to make myself cold so that I didn’t snap. I was so close to the edge it hurt. But later, falling asleep with her in my arms was something else. It was goddamn perfection. That was something I could quickly get used to.

Alex:Are you okay? Have you seen any sign of him?

Tori:No.

I look at the clock. It’s six-thirty AM. She must’ve gotten up early to sneak out without saying goodbye. Maybe it had something to do with my response when she told me she was a virgin.

Alex:About last night, Tori… you know I haven’t got a problem with what you told me?

She doesn’t reply. I quickly get dressed, waiting for my phone to ping the whole time, and then head home. Still no text…

Catelina is asleep when I walk into my beach house, but Elliot is sitting at the kitchen table. I look over his shoulder as he bites on his tongue, concentrating on drawing a picture of himself holding a bow.

“What do you think, Uncle Alex?”

I grin, grabbing his shoulder. “Very, very impressive. You’re quite the artist.”

“Are you taking me to school today?” The hope in his voice is heartbreaking.

“I can’t, I’m afraid. Work.”

He lowers his gaze quickly, but not before I catch the disappointed look on his face. “Okay. Yeah. That’s cool.”

Guilt stabs me in the gut. His tone is just like Robin’s used to sound when he was disappointed about something. Before hopping in the shower, I check my phone again—still nothing.

Alex:Let’s meet this evening, Tori. I’ll book us a table somewhere. A proper date like you deserve.

Tori:I’ve got that thing late this evening, but I could meet earlier for a coffee or something casual.

I grind my teeth, staring at the last word. ‘Casual.’ That’s been her goal from the start. Perhaps that’s why she left before I woke up. I wonder if my reaction to her virginity hinted too much at the fire inside me, making her uncomfortable.

This was never casual for me. The moment I laid eyes on her, any hope of that was gone. What if she wants to work up to losing her virginity and then end it? Can I live with that?

Alex:I finish at six. Are you free after that?

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