Page 51 of Nerdy Dirty Valentine

“My God, Phin. I’m so happy right now!”

“Me too.” My smile widened.

His tears weren’t concerning to me because I could read the joy on his face, and I understood how much this meant to him. How much it all meant to me. I opened my arms, and he spooned into me. We were sticky and sweaty, and I had no desire to move.

Later, as James slept, curled in a ball against my chest, his breathing slow and deep, I held him. And I hoped he was dreaming of me—of us.A quiet certainty washed over me that happiness wasn’t out of reach. It was right in front of me.

CHAPTER

EIGHTEEN

Valentine’s Day.

It was finally here. When I’d seen James on that disastrous date in the diner, I never imagined by Valentine’s Day, we’d be a couple. Weird how life could be monotonous in one moment and life-changing in another. But the moment I’d proposed our practice dates, everything in my life transformed.

Standing in my living room, lips buzzing from the kiss we’d exchanged when James had walked in, I watched James and Ginsberg playing tug-of-war, my heart full. I rocked onto my heels, anticipation thrumming through me, eager to get this night started.

Now, I had planned to finally tell James all that was in my heart with a special night of romance. But first, I was honoring a gift that I’d made. I’d finished it just in time for the holiday, and I knew that he’d wear it proudly.

Hands clasped behind me, I shifted as James rose from where he’d knelt beside Ginsburg. James had tied my gift around Ginsberg, mindful of his floppy ears.

And Ginsberg gave me a doggie grin, wagging his tail. The hot pink scarf I’d made him looked amazing against his brownfur. He lifted his head as if he understood my present was special.

“He looks so stylish,” James said. “But I thought we’d promised no gifts. Too much pressure.”

“We did, but Ginsberg wasn’t a part of that. Were you, fella?”

He gave a loud, happy woof.

“Food only, otherwise,” I vowed. “And I have booked us the most wonderful place for dinner.”

“Food only,” James agreed. He took out a small box from his coat pocket. “Candy before dinner?”

He placed a candy heart in my palm.

Be Mine, it read.

I already was.

“’Course you can’t resist candy with words on them.” I grinned. Chomping on the hard candy, I gave him a kiss. “If you want real dessert, I have some homemade chocolate-covered strawberries in the fridge.”

“I’ll have some when we return from dinner.”

I rubbed my hands together. “You might be too full. This place is awesome, the food to die for. I got lucky that we have a table.”

I couldn’t wait to give James the perfect romantic night. We’d eat in the most beautiful restaurant in Phoenix, overlooking the entire city. Each table had not only the view but also the candlelight dining. Special for Valentine’s, they also had roses for each couple waiting upon arrival. James had insisted on our no-gift rule, declaring it too stressful, but what was Valentine’s without chocolate strawberries and flowers? It was the best place I could think of to tell James what was in my heart: how I loved him.

The only reason I’d not told him the other night, while I held him in my arms, was because I knew the holiday was coming,and I desperately wanted my first “I love you” to James to be epic.

“How was your shift?”

“Slow and boring,” I said. “Wyatt made me eat this seafood stew he claimed was a family recipe, and we only went on one call.”

“Was the stew any good?”

“Not terrible. But he’s finally settling into the team and is pouting less often, so I had a bowl.”

“Aw, you’re good to the newbies. And to dogs.” He straightened Ginsberg’s scarf.

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