Page 4 of My Perfect Valentine

Logan

I’ve been on pinsand needles since this morning, and sweating over the stupid decision I made to reach out to Addie. Of course, she wants nothing to do with an old man like me.

The only saving grace I’ve been feeling is that she hasn’t out right declined my offer. She’ll probably want to talk about it in the morning.

Fuck. What the hell am I doing?

I throw my tool onto the ground, get up, stretch, and move around the garage. I’m working on a custom bike for a loyal customer, and I can’t get my head in the game. The little beauty has my head in a trap and I can’t get out.

Elijah lifts his brow as he watches me pace. “What the fuck has gotten into you?”

I flip him off. “Nothing.”

“Yeah, sure. Seems like nothing.”

I scowl at him and walk over to my workbench and straighten up something that is already in line with everything in its place. I hate working in chaos. Things have their place and need to stay that way.

Exactly like with Addie. I have my place, I’m a member at the gym, she works there, and never shall the two meet.

“Man, come on what gives. I hate how you’re bringing down the vibe of the place.”

I scoff and shake my head. Leave it to Elijah to want everything to be calm and easygoing. He hates tension and any sense of discomfort.

“I did something stupid and now I’m waiting for the rejection,” I say.

“Ah, this has to do with Addie.”

Shocked, I snap my head toward him. “What are you talking about?”

“Dude, it’s not a fucking secret. I watch you both at the gym, neither of you can keep your eyes off each other. Well, when you think the other isn’t looking. It’s fucking puppy love, and a little nauseating. You finally asked her out?”

I wipe my hands on the rag and lean against my workbench and shake my head. “Not exactly.”

Elijah lifts his brow. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? You either did or you didn’t?”

“It’s complicated.”

“No, it’s not. You’re only making it complicated.”

My phone dings with a notification and the conversation has me distracted. I just look at my phone, not expecting to find analert from the site. I swipe as fast as I can to see what she has to say.

She accepts my invitation to discuss further.

Holy shit.

The biggest grin appears on my face and I can’t help it.

“Well, shit, see you’ve been worried over fucking nothing. Now get your head out of your ass and stop bringing the vibe down.”

I flip him off again while I stare at my phone. I can’t believe she agreed to discuss further. Not wasting a moment, I tap the message icon. I could send an email, but I much rather chat. Her post showed she needs a date starting the 14th, meaning there’s only tonight and tomorrow to get her to agree to be my fake girlfriend.

Damn, the term makes me feel old. A girlfriend — I can’t remember the last time I had one of those. I haven’t even had a hookup in over ten years. The desire to be with anybody vanished. I had tried to pick up some women at a bar at one time, but I was more annoyed than turned on and left it. Best to just focus on building up my business and living an easy-going life.

It’s been damn peaceful until I walked into the gym one morning and spotted the beauty known as Addie and I was a goner. My peace vanished as I haven’t been able to stop obsessing about her.

Me: Hey there, stranger.

Addie: Hi, surprised to see you pop up here.

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