Page 14 of My Grumpy Valentine

“They’re beautiful,” I murmur as I take in the different colors. Looking his way, I watch the way his shoulders relax. “Thank you.”

As I search for something to place these in, I hear him clear his throat.

“I came to talk about last night,” he explains as my movements slow. “About everything.”

A part of me wants to take my sweet time to prolong that conversation. What if these flowers are here to soften the blow?I’m not ready for this man to tell me that he’ll only be able to see me as his best friend’s ex-wife. I don’t want to hear the words.

Unfortunately for me, Asher takes a seat at the table. He’s not going anywhere until he can say what he needs to. I offer him what is left in the coffee pot, and he’s smart to decline.

While I search for a basic glass cup to use until I can purchase a nicer one, I catch a glimpse of the amusement flickering in his eyes as he watches as I place the flowers at the center of the table.

“In my defense, I never thought I’d be gifted flowers. Vases take up space, and in this place, I need all I can get.” Plopping down across from him, my fingers tangle together as my nerves get the best of me. “What would you like to talk about?”

Stupid question, I know. At least I get to see Asher’s mouth twitch in continued amusement. However, that amusement slowly melts away, revealing an unease in those faded honey-colored eyes. It’s not something I’m used to seeing from him.

“Do you regret the kiss?” he asks, surprising me.

Regret it? Ever since I woke up this morning, I can’t stop thinking about wanting to do it again. Heck, all night, I imagined what could’ve happened if we’d continued what we started once we got inside my home.

“Not at all.” Admitting the truth, heat crawls up my throat, and my face gives away my embarrassment. “It was nice.”

Nice is an understatement. I could barely keep up with him, drowning in everything he threw my way. He made my knees weak and my body molten hot, and he barely even touched me.

He stretches out his hand, his touch cautious as his fingertips wander over my knuckles. My fingers stop moving, and I’m left looking into his eyes. Now is not the time to get lost in them, but it happens anyway. He doesn’t have to tell me to relax; it happens all too naturally.

I really love this man.

If he’s going to tell me I suck at something as simple as kissing, there is no way I’m going to survive the blow.

“I have a confession to make,” he starts up as he gives my hand a squeeze. “I lied to you when it comes to why I left Hope Peak.” His brows lower, and he’s back to frowning. “Well, I didn’t tell you the complete truth.”

Sucking in a breath, I don’t dare interrupt him. Not when he suddenly looks so serious. No matter what he says, my feelings won’t change.

“I needed to get away, Pen.” He shakes his head as he grimaces at the memory. “I needed to get away from you two. Seeing your happiness was too painful.”

Taking in his words, I shake my head. “I tried setting you up with–”

“I didn’t want any woman,” he interrupts as his hold on my hands tightens. Catching himself, he sighs before brushing the back of my hand with his thumb. “I only wanted one woman. Onlylovedone woman in my life. And I had to walk her down the aisle and hand her off to my best friend. Talk about fucking torture.”

Now, that is a blow to the gut. I don’t realize I’ve stopped breathing until my lungs burn and remind me how important oxygen is. Once I’m breathing in, my head spins.

“You loved me?” I repeat slowly, “all those years ago?”

I never knew. Never had the slightest clue.

We’ve always gotten along, and I leaned on him for support. Sure, I saw him as a friend all those years ago. All that time, he suffered, and I didn’t know. Did Danny? No, I think he was just as clueless.

“Since the day Danny introduced you to me.” He sighs like he’s exhausted from a sleepless night as well. The truth must’ve weighed him down for so long. “I thought leaving would help get me over these pesky feelings. I thought wrong. These feelingshave clung to me this entire time, reminding me how terrible I am. Reminding me I shouldn’t want you as much as I do.”

My heart soaks in his confession and starts picking up speed. Soon, I can feel it battering against my rib, and I’m smiling without trying to. The butterflies are filling my stomach in a rush.

“Even now?” I’m sounding desperate here, aching to hear the words.

“Even now,” he nods, “I love you. No matter what, that bit will not change. The moment you rushed into my life, you ruined me, Pen.”

Danny loved me, too. However, his love lasted only a couple of years. Will this be different? The two of them seem to be shaped from the same mold. Though they were younger and more careless.

The man sitting in front of me isn’t the same as the one I once knew. He’s matured and looks like he knows what he wants.

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