Page 15 of Valentine's Kisses
I glance at my name in his masculine handwriting again. My heart beats rapidly. I want to believe. I so badly want to believe that he could love me that way.
I take the letter with shaky hands.
Dearest Gabrielle,
I’m not the best with words. I wish I could be better. I wish I could be better at everything for you because you truly deserve the best. That’s what you do for me, sweet girl. You make me want to be a better man.
I knew the first time that I saw you that you were meant to be mine. I’m not a romantic man. I’ll admit many (I promise not all) things that you read about me on the internet are probably true. There was a time when sex was merely an act for me. It wasn’t special. No one was special. But from the very first day I knew you were different. I knew I would want you forever.
Maybe there are a lot of things I still need to know about you. I want to know them all. I want to know more about your beloved sister and why you seem so shy all the time. I want to know why you don’t see the true beauty in yourself like I see when I look at you. I want to know what foods you like, what makes you happy, what makes you sad…everything.
Today is Valentine’s Day and I’ve never had a Valentine. To be honest, I’ve never wanted one. But I want you, sweet one. I want you for the rest of my life.
Do you know the story of the gazebo on campus? A soldier promised his girl he would meet her there after the war, and even though he was wounded in battle he never forgot his promise. He met her there, years later, on Valentine’s Day, and proposed. Legend is that they lived happily-ever-after. The legend also says that any couple that shares a kiss under that gazebo is destined to marry. Hence the reason you see most boys on campus avoid the place like the plague.
I don’t want to run from my future. I want to run to you. I want to be yours and for you to be mine.
So, if you agree, if you love me even a little in return, meet me at the gazebo at seven tonight. Please, sweet girl. I promise you won’t regret it. Be my Valentine.
Always yours,
Flynn
My tears start dropping onto the paper before I realize it.This man. This incredible man.I look up at Hanna who is watching me from her bed nearby.
“So?” she questions quietly.
“So, it looks like I need to find a dress so I can meet my Valentine tonight,” I say with a broad smile.
I laugh as she does a dance around the room and whoops with joy. I can’t blame her though. Love is joyous. Love is to be celebrated. And tonight, I’ll take a chance and celebrate it.
Chapter Seventeen
The Gazebo
I’m more nervous than I was when we were two points down with only minutes to go competing for the Stanley Cup. -Flynn
Flynn
I pace the length of the gazebo a thousand times. I study the initials of lovers before my time. The gazebo was recently renovated, but someone thoughtfully tried to keep much of it intact including the initials carved so long ago.
I was being truthful when I told Gabrielle I’m not a romantic man. This is the first romantic gesture I’ve ever done for someone. My heart is beating out of my chest waiting for my love.What if she doesn’t show? What if she didn’t believe my words?
The light footsteps on the gazebo make me lift my head up from my musings. My Gabrielle is here, finally. She’s beautiful. Her red dress emphasizes her curvy figure. Her delicate features light up when she smiles at me.
“Sorry I’m a few minutes late. Took forever to find a dress to wear,” she says shyly and smooths a hand over where the dress flares at her hips.
I run a shaky hand through my hair. “You look beautiful, sweet girl.” I stalk over to her, my footsteps echoing on the wooden floor of the gazebo. I take her hands in mine. “Thank you for coming. I know you probably had doubts, questions. I know you aren’t sure of what I want from you. I know you probably think I’m some kind of player, but…”
I break off when she puts a finger to my lips. “I believe your words in your letter. I know that I’m special to you.” She glances down shyly at her feet. “But there are things you should know. You should know who you think you’ve fallen in love with.”
I cup her chin and lift her face. “I know exactly who I’ve fallen in love with, regardless of any secrets you may have.”
She licks her lips and I follow the movement with my eyes. I want my lips on hers. I want to taste her again. “You should know the good, bad and ugly of it all, Flynn. I want to tell you.”
“Okay, if that’s what you want, but it won’t make a difference in how I feel.” I take her hand in mine and lead her to the wooden seat in the gazebo.
She glances down at her hands and twists them in her lap. “I’m not sure where to start,” she says slowly.
