Page 3 of My Grumpy Valentine

Fuck, I’m wondering if her hair is as soft as the rest of her. My mind is in a terrible place right now, and I can’t even recognize the voice in my head.

Every time I force myself to look away, I’m yanked right back.

“You must be a pretty good man,” she muses softly as she stirs the straw in her cup. If she were like the women we normally seek out, she’d sneak glances my way through her eyelashes in a way to test the truth behind her words. Instead, she wastes no time looking back at the man at her side. Looking at the man she’s in love with.

Danny snorts at her ignorance, giving me a mischievous look. If he wanted to, he could reveal what kind of man I really am. I’m not good at all.

Not only do I refuse to settle down with women, but I don’t consider their feelings when it comes to getting what I want. In truth, I’m scum. The worst of the worst.

I don’t want Penelope to know. It’s not like it matters since there’s no chance she’ll become mine. However, lack of relationship aside, I don’t want her feelings to shift.

I want her to keep smiling at me. I don’t want her to turn her nose or think I’m not worth her time.

Fuck, what is wrong with me?

The second shot only makes things worse. I let my mind unwind and crave things I can’t.

I’d never dream of stealing a woman from my best friend. Especially not someone he genuinely wants to settle down with. The thought of it churns my stomach, knowing how much it would hurt him.

This woman doesn’t look like some hook-up. No, she looks like the marrying type. The one to want a kid or two, maybe even a dog. A golden retriever, probably.

Will this tightness eventually waver off? Or will I have to suffer while I watch these two fall so deeply in love that it grows into Danny needing my advice on which wedding tux makes him look the best? God, I’ll be his best man.

Fuck me.

“He’s usually more talkative,” Danny explains softly, eyeing me. “Can’t ever get him to shut up on a normal day.”

Scoffing at his words, I don’t deny them. “Just giving this lovely couple the limelight. Don’t worry, I’ll annoy the hell out of you two during our second date together.”

Joking mostly, I’m not sure how in the hell I’m going to survive another moment like this. Maybe once the shock is nolonger a factor and my heart beats normally again, I can pretend everything is alright.

Everything has to return to normal eventually, right?

2

Penelope

Seven Years Later

As I catch the flicker of headlights from the corner of my eye, I leap to my feet. My heart flutters in my chest as a silent wave of desperation threatens to come crashing down.

“This one is all mine!” Calling out the claim before any other bored worker tries to take advantage, I’m on the move before anyone can even blink.

As I step out of the small building that reeks of burger grease and peanut oil, a wave of fresh, crisp air washes over me, causing goosebumps to rise along my arms and legs.

I don’t have time to stop and fill my lungs with a heavy inhale. Not when I’m paid to jog out toward the newest arrival.

A Jeep with two adults in the front and two kids in the back. One glance toward the back, and I can see a huge stuffed teddy tucked between two identical faces. Twins. Now that’s adorable.

A smile transforms on my lips, one big enough to make my jaw ache. To ensure a good tip, my voice lifts an octave higher.

“Welcome to Tee’s Drive-In! Have you been here before?”

I have to ask the same question every single time. Most of the time, people are simply passing through Hope Peak. This little place, crammed with tourists grabbing quick bites and checking maps, serves only as a brief respite before they reach their destination.

To those who aren’t familiar with the way we run things around here, I quickly go over the script each employee has memorized down to the last period. Attached to my hip is a small pocket of menus. With this car, in particular, they need some, as this is their first visit.

“Flip your headlights off while you decide and turn them back on when you’re ready to order. I’ll be back out before you can blink,” I explain as I stick a ticket beneath their wiper. Sending them away with a wink and a grin, I spin on my heel, and my expression drops.

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