Page 85 of Mr. February

Jenny goggled at him.

“What? How did you carry all this stuff by yourself?”

“They gave me a drink carrier for the coffees—I got two for each of us, so no need to ration it—and they boxed everything else up and put it in a bag. I could tell you didn’t like the in-roomcoffee even though you didn’t complain. Since I wasn’t quite sure what treats you like, I got a little of everything.”

He shrugged like it was no big deal that he woke up before her and went in search of something to make her happy.

“It’s Valentine’s Day,” he said, “but since this whole relationship was unexpected, I don’t have anything planned. I still want it to be special for you.”

Battling the moisture in her eyes, Jenny set down her cup before she got up from her chair. She took Wade’s coffee cup from his hand and put it on the table too before she straddled his lap. Once there, she wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him. With her head on his shoulder, she cleared her throat.

“Thank you. This is already the best Valentine’s Day I’ve ever had.”

Wade scoffed, but his face softened when he realized she wasn’t exaggerating.

“Next year.”

Jenny lifted her head and searched his eyes for clarification.

“I told you.” His voice was quiet but firm. “This is real for me. It’s not a fling or a convenience. I want to be with you, but I understand you need time to trust it.”

This time, Jenny couldn’t hold back the tears.

“I got you,” he said.

Wade rocked her in his lap as she cried for the woman who’d been told again and again that she wasn’t enough. She tried to let that woman go so Wade wouldn’t have to pay for the sins of past boyfriends, but she knew it wouldn’t be that easy.

“Oh, God, what a terrible girlfriend I am,” she said with a gasp. “I’m crying all over you when you did this lovely thing. Don’t be so nice to me.”

Instead of being annoyed, his face was wreathed in a huge smile.

“That’s the first time you’ve referred to yourself as my girlfriend when we were alone.”

Jenny blushed.

“But it’s time to tell you about the other surprise, though I’m not responsible for it. Go to the window and look outside.”

“Did it snow?”

“You’ll have to see for yourself.”

Jenny gasped when she looked out the window. It had more than snowed. No wonder the roads were closed and all events canceled. She turned to him with eyes full of wonder.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Yup. The guys messaged me earlier to ask if we’d be interested in winter games like sledding and snowball fights. What are your thoughts?”

“That sounds awesome. I haven’t played in the snow in years.”

“I’ll let them know.”

While she admired the snow, Wade grabbed the bacon and pulled scrambled eggs out of thin air. Jenny giggled and rushed back to the table. She sat in her chair and piled eggs and bacon on her plate.

“Hey, aren’t you going to sit in my lap again? I liked that.”

Wade fake-pouted at her, and she laughed. This was the best Valentine’s Day ever, no matter what he thought.

“I need to face the table to eat.”

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