Page 72 of Texting My Valentine

“My problem?”

“You think way too much,” Lily says.

Once the call ends, I think about what she said. Perhaps she has a point. Maybe I’m in danger of overthinking my way out of my chance at real happiness.

I go to the window and look at the street and the security cars watching over Mom and me. Then I turn around and look at the wall, at the framed photo of me at the poetry slam.

I look so confident in that picture. I wish I felt that way right now.

CHAPTER 24

ALEX

Iopen Elliot’s door, looking in on him as he sleeps on his side. His forearm has a small bandage with a splint, but it didn’t require a cast. He breathes softly. I smile, thinking about how he led the way with the fun in the hospital, how brave he was, and how much closer he brought me to my girl.

Something magical happens, too. As I stand here, it’s like I can let go of the unfair resentment I’ve clung to since the crash, since the affair, since all that pain. I’m able to be a proud uncle-slash-guardian-slash-father figure.

Closing the door softly, I go to the front window. The security car flashes its lights at me, letting me know everything is as it should be. I’m restless and pacing despite the day’s events, knowing that I should probably try to get some sleep before work tomorrow.

My shift starts at ten. It’s already one thirty. But I can’t sleep as I think about last night, the date, the dinner, my woman in her mouthwateringly stunning dress.

When we said goodbye this evening, I felt her clinging to me as though she wanted to stay, as if she didn’t want to let me go. But then she pushed herself away like she was forcing herself.

Does she still think we have any chance of being distant and casual?

When my phone buzzes, I grab it up quickly, feeling like an overeager teenager. But screw it. I’m done pretending her texts don’t mean a lot to me. They make my day.

Tori:I know you won’t get this until tomorrow morning, but I just wanted to say, Alex, that last night meant something to me. The date was incredible, the beach after is something I’ll never forget, and, as weird as it sounds, even the hospital was nice.

Alex:That doesn’t sound weird at all.Pretending to be Elliot’s parents was funny and touching.

Tori:Do you ever sleep?

I smirk, walking to the back door and onto the porch, looking out at the ocean. About twenty feet away is the rock formation where Elliot often leaves his bike. I’ve got no cameras that far out, but the fact that the wheel was loose has my hackles raised.

Would Damien do that? Loosen a kid’s bike wheel? Then again, it’s not like he hasn’t done worse.

Alex:Before I met a specific poet, I slept like a baby.But now I can’t stop thinking about the date, the kiss, the hunger I feel every time I touch you.

Tori:Hunger, huh? Are you a vampire?

Alex:Judging by how I was biting you earlier, I think I might be.

Tori:Don’t start talking about that. You’ll make me go crazy all over again.

Alex:The way you were moaning had me going crazy.It was so damn beautiful, my virgin, voluptuous Valentine.

Tori:I need to think of a nickname for you. How does ‘sexy surgeon’ sound?

Alex:Haha, I could get used to that, though I’ve never thought of myself as sexy.

Tori:What?Have you ever looked in a mirror?

Alex:I’ve never given a damn about how I look. I know how that sounds—like a load of bull—but it’s true. I work out because I like how it makes my body feel, stay relatively clean-shaven because I don’t like the feeling of stubble, and keep my hair trimmed because it’s better for work.

Tori:Well, let me express serious gratitude for all those factors. Because, newsflash, my sexy surgeon… you’re a hunk.

I laugh.

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