Page 6 of My Forbidden Valentine

"I know, but I can." He steps back. "I'll take you home so you can rest."

"I'd rather stay here and organize this."

"And who's the workaholic now?" I hear the smirk in his voice and I cannot not turn to look at him. He’s smiling slightly. I was right. He's even more handsome now, even with just a hint of a smile. But I decide to be honest with him, to talk about something that's been nagging in my brain.

"I had such a shitty night, organizing makes me feel in control. But being stood up on Valentine's Day? That's a whole new level of awful. I mean, being stood up on any day is humiliating, but on Valentine's? That's just too much. What if the guy actually came, saw me, and decided it would be better to spend Valentine's alone than with me?"

"Anyone who would see how you look tonight would stay."

I widen my eyes. Does that mean he likes my dress? But I continue, not wanting to put too much emphasis on his comment. Because I can't, not when I've been thinking about how I'd love him to kiss me and do everything to me on this desk.

"I'm just so tired of these dating games. Why can't people just be honest and send a message instead of ghosting people? It seems no matter what you do, you're going to get burned."

"You deserve better than some idiot who doesn’t show up. Anyone with half a brain would’ve been there early, waiting for you."

"You think?"

"Of course." His gruff tone softens slightly as he mutters, “Not everyone’s smart enough to see what’s right in front of them.”

I love to see him like this, enraged for me. It's nice to be able to talk to him. This has been weighing on me all night, even though this night ended up being special. It was so much easier to lean into my old insecurities, but now that I’ve got it off my chest, I feel so much lighter. And it makes me want to tease him even more. So, I stand up and take two steps towards him. He takes a step back and leans his back against the bookcase.

“Are you calling yourself one of the smart ones, August?”

He stammers and looks the other way, “I didn’t say that. Don’t put words in my mouth.”

"Do you think I look good in this dress?"

"You look perfect."

He just said I looked perfect. Not good. Not pretty. Perfect.

I see a part of his neck turn pinker, realizing what he said.

"We should go." He is avoiding me, but that's okay for now. I don't want to push him that much, not when I want to be here tomorrow.

"Can I come in tomorrow? I didn't finish and you sure need my help." Can I be with you tomorrow? That's what I want to ask, but this seems safer.

"And you're going to spend your Saturday here organizing my paperwork? Don't you have better things to do?"

"Consider it a payment for rescuing me."

"I told you, it's fine."

"Well, I want to spend my Saturday here."

He doesn't reply and instead marches to the door, signaling me to come with him. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he’s afraid of seeing me again, or at least that’s what I hope it is.

Chapter 5 - August

She is stubborn. But I'd be lying if I said part of me isn't looking forward to tomorrow. I drop her off at her house and there's hesitation between us, how to say goodbye and whatnot. I'm way out of my comfort zone, especially because I sense her hesitating for the first time tonight.

"Can I come and pick you up at eight? We open up the garage early since we close at noon."

"I'll be waiting." She leaves the car. She moves her mouth back and forth. "Hey, I know I've been kinda of a pain for you, calling you in the middle of the night, picking on you just for fun, ruining your plans, but I want to thank you. You've made this day so much better." And she greets me with a smile, that beautiful smile of hers that makes me want to turn into someone else. Someone else who is bright like her.

I'm glad she's feeling better now. I could tell how much it hurt to be stood up on a day like today. Every part of me wanted to shelter her from it.

"You're not a pain." I say and she just keeps grinning and waves me goodbye as she closes the door and runs to the front entrance to her place. It's not snowing that much anymore, but it's still cold. I wish she wouldn't run with those heels. I'm afraidshe'll break something. But she doesn't. She opens the door and waves back again like she actually enjoyed being with me. I let her close the door before I drive off.

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