Page 89 of Fresh Canvas
My jaw dropped with an audible pop. I swung my eyes to Val’s humiliated form, which was shrinking against his backrest.
“You aresogoing to pay for that,” he spat.
Camilla bounced up and down on the plush couch. “Isodon’t care. Our mom was obsessed with Saint Valentine, and since her sweet boy was born in February…”
“Valentine?” A full laugh bubbled up my throat before I could stop it. Another one took its place. And another one. Wiping theunexpected laughter from my eyes, all it took was one glance at Val’s grim expression for me to completely lose it.
After a moment, I rushed over and threw my arms around his neck. His rugged cheeks were still flushed with embarrassment.
“Oh, Val, I don’t care what your name is. I’m just thrilled it’s as bad as mine!”
“Har. Har. Har.” Val’s lips twitched, though his chocolate eyes forgave me instantly.
Camilla pressed both of her hands to her heart, watching us like we were the leading stars of her favorite romcom. She slapped the cushion beside her, gesturing me back over.
“Enough about old Valentine! Get over here and tell me all about you!”
I sat back down and chuckled. “Uh, I don’t know where to start. I’m a mom with a ten-year-old son, and I work at the museum withValentine.” I waggled my eyebrows at Val’s eye roll. “And… I kind of like your brother?” I stage whispered, “Don’t judge my poor taste in men.”
Camilla doubled over at that. “Val,” she said with a laugh. “She’s amazing.”
“I know.” He leaned forward in his chair, a subtle spark blazing as his gaze met mine.
I swallowed.
“Besides the fact that you are obviouslywaytoo good for my brother”—Camilla took me by the hand—“I’m happy for him. To be honest, I’m shocked you didn’t run screaming in the other direction when you met him.”
“Actually, you’re not far off.” I turned sweetly to Val. “Do you want to tell her? Or should I?”
“Maybe we leave that part out?”
“Youwish.” I launched into the tale. Camilla sat enraptured, laughing, cursing her brother, and asking approximately a million questions.
Eventually, we were interrupted by our actual food delivery. Val took the opportunity to literally shove his sister out the door as sheprofusely promised to see me soon. The door clanged in the frame as Val leaned against it in relief, clutching our Thai food to his chest.
I grinned, kissed his cheek, and took the bag of food from him. “Ilikeher.”
Val chuckled wearily. “Well, she clearly likes you too.” He trailed me to the kitchen, where we unpacked the food. “I still can’t believe you told her about our interview.”
“And I’d do it all over again just to watch your face. That was a really interesting shade of red,Valentine.”
Later that evening, my eyelids stirred as Val’s lips pressed to my forehead. Faint strands ofWhisper Harbordrifted from the illuminated TV. As I blinked in the dim light of the living room, Val’s handsome face came into focus.
“What time is it?” My voice was thick with sleep.
“A little past eleven.”
The strands of my hair ruffled slightly as Val placed another light kiss on the top of my head. I allowed Val to extract me from the cushions. Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes and groaned.
“Ugh. I’m always falling asleep here.” I pulled him onto the couch beside me. Snuggling against his broad chest, I rolled the soft cotton of his shirt between my thumb and forefinger. “I guess I’m getting too comfortable with you.”
“Or you’re just obsessed with my couch.”
“Or that.”
Val slipped a rosy paper from the pocket of his shorts and placed it in my hand. The darkened living room made it difficult to read the faint scrawl.
“What’s this?” I asked.
