Page 8 of My Grumpy Valentine

My teeth grind at the information. Maybe I should track Danny down to hear him give me his side of the story. I want him to be the one to tell me how he cheated on this woman and broke her heart. Then, I’d want to grab him by the scruff of his shirt and knock some fucking sense into him.

If I’d stayed, would this have played out, anyway? Could I have been there to console her through the divorce?

As if sensing my anger, she sighs softly. “I don’t hold it against Danny, not when we were both unhappy. He made the whole thing pretty easy.”

I want to console her. I’d do anything to make a smile return to her lips. Even if it means offering her my shoulder.

Penelope sucks down her drink to avoid talking for a minute to collect herself. “Anyway, what’s done is done. He left Hope Peak, and I stayed. Instead of giving me the house as we parted ways, he was a dick and sold it off before heading south with some woman. Now, I live in an apartment with loud neighbors who keep me up all night. Wild how life turns out.”

Wild indeed.

“Okay, enough sad talk about the past.” She swats her hand and straightens up. “Explain the beard. You’re looking wild out here. Like you should live up on the mountain instead of in town with us normal folk.”

Her smile is returning, and if I have to talk about my new look to amuse her, then so be it.

I’m going to have to take my sweet time because I’m in no rush to put an end to this get-together.

4

Penelope

It is absolutely freezing when we get out of Willow Hope. My skin prickles the moment the cold air nips at my cheeks. No matter how much I hug myself with my coat, it’s not enough to keep me from shivering.

The individuals huddled against the building’s exterior project an air of indifference, despite the visible puffs of breath escaping from their lips. They chat casually, punctuating their conversation with deep drags from their vapes or cigarettes, clouds of smoke swirling around them as if to mask the chill of the night.

Fortunately, snow isn’t falling from the sky, so the drive shouldn’t be too difficult, even at this late hour. I’ll need to watch for ice and drive slowly. Hopefully, traffic won’t be too bad, either.

“You’re sure you’ll be okay?” Asher doesn’t try to hide his concern as we reach his truck. He must be able to see methinking about all the possibilities of getting home in one solid piece.

Thanking my past self for parking next to him, I don’t have to walk far to say my goodbyes. After tonight, I’m already dreading the thought of letting him go again.

“Oh yeah, this is nothing.” Offering him a smile, I bundle my arms closer to my body to trap whatever heat I can. “I was born for this weather. In a past life, I bet I was a race car driver. Speeding in dangerous conditions, you know how it is.”

He snorts, and it’s like a breath of fresh air. He always had the richest laugh.

“I should head home, though. Work early in the morning and all that.” Pursing my lips to keep my teeth from chattering, I shift from one foot to the other.

As badly as I want to slip into my warming car, a part of me is afraid to say goodbye. The last time I let this man go, he disappeared. It’s foolish to worry about it happening again. Asher is a grown man who can make his own decisions, but that doesn’t mean I like them.

Turning toward my car, I pause. “Oh, and thank you for letting me talk about all that sad stuff. I don’t really have many people to lend that kind of ear. My social circle has always been kind of small. Lately, it’s been pretty nonexistent, so this was nice.”

His mouth slants, and he nods. Automatically, his arms lift, and his offer for a hug is all too welcoming. My heart flutters as nostalgia hits me all at once.

We’d hug in the past, and I’d never think twice about it. Not with Danny at my side.

However, when I step into his embrace, something is different. Has Asher always been this warm? Has he always smelled like crisp leaves? Has his heart always pounded so slow and deep?

Sighing against his chest, I breathe in deep.I really missed this.Counting the seconds until he pulls away to end this bliss, I realize he must be doing the same. He holds me tightly in his arms, showing no intention of moving.

At this rate, we may never part. I have to be the strong one here. Pulling away, I wish him a good night.

“You have my number,” he reminds me as he opens his door. “The next time you call, I’ll pick up.”

There’s promise in his voice. My stomach tightens as I nod. With the cold air seeping right back into my limbs, I make the escape to my car.

Asher doesn’t leave until I do. We part ways as soon as we hit the street, and I’m left looking at the glow of the red lights in my rearview mirror as I make my way back home.

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