Page 3 of Texting My Valentine

Okay, that was a mistake.

She throws her arms up, letting out a warbling cry that could shatter glass. She’s an accountant, but with this scream, she’s in the running to be an opera singer.

“What isthatsupposed to mean?” she screeches.

“Mom, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Just explain.”

“Let’s just say you’re not exactly the best example of how to build a functioning relationship!” I tell her.

Crap. There goes my temper.

I wonder who I got it from…?

“And letmejust say.” Mom leaps to her feet, pointing her finger at me. “That it would be nice to have a daughter who supported me from time to time.God. I’m going to the store to buy a gallon of wine.”

“Mom—”

“Just leave it, Tori.”

She marches from the room, slicing her hand through the air.

The door slams loudly.

I return to the bedroom. “Let’s get to this party before she comes home.”

CHAPTER 2

ALEX

“Whoa, theDeath Star!” Elliot beams as I give him his latest LEGO set. He looks so much like my little brother… well, how my brother looked before the crash.

He’s got the same mop of black hair and the same light green eyes.

“Can we build it now?” he asks.

“I’m heading out for the night, remember?” I say. “But another time, champ.”

He frowns. Deep down, there’s a little niggling ball of guilt. I try not to think about my brother, his wife, the crash, or any of it. Instead, I kiss my nephew on the head and then walk out onto the porch of my beachfront property.

I’m not surprised to see Julian has already knocked back two glasses of whiskey, his eyes glassy as he pours a third. Just like in prep school, Julian is the partier, always ready to take things to the next level.

He’s got a hungry look in his eyes like he’s on the hunt for his next romantic entanglement, which inevitably burns hot and then sizzles out just as fast.

“Care for a glass, my old, depressing friend?”

I chuckle wryly. “Who said anything about me being depressing?”

He looks out at the sea. “Alex, old buddy, old pal, you don’t have tosayit.”

“I’ll have a glass. Asmallone.” I emphasize.

He grins. “Don’t worry. I know you well.” He pours the glass as I sit opposite him. “The kid all set up with the nanny?”

“Yeah, I think they’re going to build a LEGO set.”

“Did he ask you to build it with him?”

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