Page 2 of My Grumpy Valentine

“Wanted to make sure she was the one first.” He sighs as he rests his cheek against his hand.

Does this guy hear himself when he talks? He sounds like a sap. I’m definitely going to be the third wheel now.

He spends the next ten minutes filling me in on the little pointless facts about the woman. Whenever she arrives, I’ll know her favorite color is blue, and that she does puzzles as a hobby. Never one with less than a thousand pieces, of course. She likes a challenge.

Because puzzles areexciting. Okay, Danny.

As time continues to trickle by, I can’t help but wonder if there is any chance of him getting stood up. It would probably tear his heart in two. Might need Ashley to bring us both a round to fill the cracks.

The likelihood of him being left behind diminishes when I see him sit up straight, his face lighting up like the sun erupting from the horizon in response to the hurried sound of footsteps.

“I amsosorry.” A sweet, song-like voice apologizes from behind in soft gasps. “My boss would not let me leave. I swear, he’s going to make everyone quit at the rate he keeps overworking us.”

Already feeling a tease form on my tongue for making us both wait for plenty of minutes now, I plan on giving her a little bit of a hard time. Smiling, I turn to get a look to see what little bird has gotten Danny twirled around her finger.

Wavy brown hair caresses round, freckled cheeks coated in the pinkest flush I’ve ever laid my eyes on. Apologetic green orbs gaze at us behind long eyelashes. Full lips form a hesitant smile as she takes us both in. Panting from running, she catches herself on the corner of the table, her hand landing right next to my empty bottle.

One look at this woman and my smile is gone. My heart clogs my throat, and every swallow feels like a lead weight as my pulse races. Suddenly, I can’t remember what words I want to say.

I can’t even remember the day of the week.

Danny’s on his feet before I realize I’m gawking at this woman.

“Asher, meet Penelope. Pen, this is the guy I was telling you about.” He’s drawing her into his arms, and she looks so relieved to see him. She’s short enough that her face nestles against his chest, and I watch her lips part to release a sigh.

When she smiles more confidently at me as she releases him, I know something is wrong with me.

This sensation in my chest is unfamiliar. There’s a sudden tightening around my lungs that makes breathing feel impossible. What is this? Why does my tongue feel like it’s swelling and making speaking an impossible feat?

“Asher?” Danny sounds concerned, “you alright man?”

Clearing my throat, I force a smile and nod my head. Needing to collect myself fast, I inhale the rest of my beer and blame how my head spins on the booze. “Sorry, I’m just trying to understand how you managed to win over such a beauty with your looks.”

He scoffs, rolling his eyes with that happy smile. “Fuck you.”

Penelope giggles. The grip on my lungs grows tighter. As she settles in the seat across from me, her foot brushes mine, and she apologizes again.

Ashley brings her a glass of tea with a slice of lemon. I order two shots of tequila, and Danny gives me a look. First impressions mean a lot, and I get it. He doesn’t want his girlfriend to think his best friend is an alcoholic who tends to act too loose when he’s had one too many.

Well, I’m not loose. I’m freaking out. If I’m drunk, I don’t have to think about what I’m currently feeling. I don’t have to acknowledge what I’m horrified to guess is jealousy.Jealousy.

What the fuck.

While they tell me how they met, I shoot one shot back. Oh yeah. I’m going to need a few of these if I’m going to have to listen to a story about them bumping into each other at the grocery store.

She’s new to town. Of course she is. Hope Peak is too damn small not to know everyone and their kids.

“Asher is practically my brother,” Danny boasts with that proud grin of his. “About all the family I have. I don’t know where I’d be without him. Met him in high school, and we’vebeen inseparable since. We’re nothing but troublemakers. Ask any of these employees.”

I hope she doesn’t. Right now, I’d rather she not learn about my behavior. Even if Danny and I are alike, I’m the one who can’t keep his dick in his pants. He’s the one who seems to have his life together.

His words should make me feel all warm and gooey inside. Instead, it’s more like a knife to the chest.

All because I can’t stop looking at this woman. Even with a fuzzy mindset, I’m staring like she’s available. Taking in every inch and wishing I was the one next to her instead of across from her. She’s filling my mind like any beautiful woman would.

No, that’s not right. I’m not picturing fucking into a mattress or imagining what her mouth would look like if her lips were wrapped around my cock.

Instead, I’m wondering what it would look like if I awoke to find her curled against my chest after one of the best nights of sleep. How would she look if the sun cast its golden glow on her, illuminating her silhouette in a warm embrace? Or what kind of face would she make if I told a joke she found hilarious? Would she toss her head back and laugh loud enough to catch every eye in the room or try to stifle her giggles so they’re left just for me?

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