Page 18 of V is for Valentine
“So this isn’t a message or anything?”
He grinned at her as he pointed out the words on the cookie.Be Mine.
Felicity gave him a sour look. “Never mind.”
“Did you think I was asking you to be my valentine?”
“The thought never occurred to me.” She bit into the cookie with a snap of her teeth. A rather aggressive snap that was obviously meant to quell any errantBe MineValentine’s Day sentiments.
“Not a fan?”
She chewed as she contemplated what was left of the cookie, which now readB Mi. Pretty impressive bite.
“Not my favorite holiday.”
He regarded her for a long moment. “I will not ask.”
“Thank you. That’s why I mentioned it. Don’t waste your money buying heart cookies for me.”
He reached into the box and handed her the raspberry filled donut. She set aside the cookie and took the donut with a smile of thanks.
“Are you sore from all the lifting?” he asked again.
“What makes you think that?” She bit into the raspberry jelly center, then wiped the extra off her lower lip with her index finger.
“Something about the face you made when you took off your coat.”
“I’m sore,” she admitted as she crossed to where the construction aprons hung. “How about you?”
“Not really.”
“Tired?” She held the donut in her teeth as she tied the strings of the apron behind her.
“No.”
They’d already established that he was a morning person, and she was not, so it seemed an odd question.
“Your house was dark when I went to bed. Did you sleep…” The question died on her lips as he met her gaze.
“Somewhere else?” he prompted.
“You said you had a fixer-upper.”
“I slept at my parents’ house.” He’d rolled in around midnight, which wasn’t that late.
“I wasn’t keeping tabs, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“That’s exactly what I’m thinking.”
“Well, stop,” she said. “I happened to notice your house was dark when I shut out the kitchen lights after my dad fell asleep.”
“Maybe I was already asleep.”
“Were you?” She spoke as if she was certain he was not—probably because his car hadn’t been parked in the drive. The Evans’s house had been dark when he’d finally pulled in after spending a couple of hours at the warehouse, cleaning up debris and making stacks. The city wasn’t due to provide him with a Dumpster until later that week, so in the meantime, he was doing his best to contain the debris to specific areas.
“No. But speaking of the fixer-upper, I’m meeting with a contractor on Thursday morning, so I’ll have to take off for an hour or so. I’ll either arrive early or work late that day to make up the time.”
“Earlier than this?” She sounded horrified.
