Chapter 12

As I drive past the Valentine Veterinary Clinic, Cash stands outside of his truck with a stethoscope around his neck, carrying his medical bag. He turns toward me, but I know he can’t see me because the windows of my Mustang are too dark. A smile touches my lips.

I want to turn my car around, but I continue forward.

We agreed to wait to see one another until my birthday. It’s been over three weeks, and I don’t know how I’ll survive the next four days, but I’m trying. It sounds wild, but the distance allows us to grow closer. I’ve learned things I’ve never known about him, and I love how raw he is with his words.

Is it possible to fall for him harder without sex? Yes.

I turn onto the country road and head toward our condo, ready to read the letter he left me an hour ago. Each day, he rips himself open and pours words on a page before he starts his day. It’s love letters I never knew I wanted.

As I walk in the door, our notebook sits on the counter. I sit at the breakfast nook and open it to the last page he wrote. My eyes slide over it, and my heart flutters with each word.

Even though you’re not here, the ghost of you is, and it always haunts me.

I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to get enough of you, Rem. Your heart. Your mind. Your soul. I love everything about you.

That’s when my emotions take over, and tears fall down my cheeks. I don’t deserve him. I glance at the dollar signs he wrote on the bottom and smile before closing the notebook with him on my mind.

He’s all I want, all I’ve ever wanted. I crave seeing Cash—smelling, kissing, and touching him—and I can’t wait to see him on my birthday.

* * *

I wakeup at four and need to be at work by five. After I’ve filled a mug full of coffee, I sit in the chair and open the next page in our notebook. I grab a pen and write to him, knowing he’ll read it when he gets home.

My Valentine,

I woke up this afternoon wishing you were home so I could talk to you directly.

Before I fell asleep, you were on my mind. I hoped I’d dream while I slept, but I didn’t.

Yes, I know you asked me what I wanted for my birthday, and I didn’t answer because I didn’t know what to say.

So I’m just going to be honest: I want you. Nothing else.

I want your lips.

I want to have you buried between my legs.

I want every part of you.

Imagining his touch,the way he makes me feel, me squeezing my thighs together. I continue.

Now, you asked what my favorite memory of us is.

Easy, the night we escaped the crowd on my twenty-first birthday.

We snuck away and laid on a blanket and made wishes upon the stars that fell, leaving glittery trails.

Do you remember what you told me?

I smile,thinking about it.

You told me you were falling in love with me, kissed me for the first time, and stole my breath away.

I never wanted the night to end.

I was already stupidly in love with you but was too scared to admit it was more than a fling and a stupid crush then.

What I’d quickly felt for you ran much deeper, and it happened so fast that I think my head is still spinning.

I still remember the sound of your laugh and how you tasted like chocolate cake and tequila.

You held me in your arms, and we watched the Milky Way rise. That night was magical, one I will never forget. It was the first time I imagined my life with you.

Sometimes, that summer replays in my daydreams chronologically.

Another memory that plays in my mind is our last goodbye. It fucking hurt to let you go.

I know I told you to leave and didn’t want you to stay, but I secretly hoped you would. It’s one of my regrets.

The past seven years without you have made me appreciate the small things.

I’ll never wonder if I was with you because you were my first love. Now it’s confirmed that you’re my one and only.

Time apart allowed me to grow up, learn what was out there, and face my fear of losing you forever.

You’re my end-all, be-all.

I hope you know that.

I’ve always wanted you, Cash, and always will.

The words scribbleacross the page like a confession, but I keep going.

We’ll see how July goes.

Today, I cried to Beckett about breaking up with Eric. The tears were real because I thought about life without you.

It was fucking awful, and I never want to relive that again.

Beckett was ready to ride at dawn. It’s another reason I think this plan will work great.

While I’m grateful for brothers who care about me and have my best interests in mind, I want them to stop.

You’re an incredible man, smart and strong, and you love hard.

They should be honored that you want me when you could have anyone.

You’re a catch, and you’re also mine. ;)

Anyway, my question of the day:

1. What does your dream life look like?

I can’t wait to see you—only four more days.

Also, I’m happy we’re pen pals. I love being honest with you and reading your thoughts each day.

Your story is my favorite.

Can we keep doing this even when we’re on the same schedule? Pretty please?

Oh, and before I go, I love how you look at me. The intensity makes the world around me disappear.

It’s why I believe we can exist without constraints. I’ll wish for that when I blow out my twenty-eight candles.

Will you be my birthday present?

You’re all I want.

Please say yes to it all,

—Your Valentine

I finish my coffee,pull my hair into a ponytail, and head to the BB.

As soon as I walk in, Summer approaches me. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she says, nearly bursting into tears.

“Oh, goodness. What’s going on?”

“It’s my hormones. I cried over a plant dying at lunch.”

My eyes widen. “Summer, you kill plants daily.”

More tears fall. “I know! This pregnancy is going to be awful if this is where I already am. I’m a plant murderer!”

I chuckle and place my hands on her shoulders. “Didn’t you just buy some new bath bombs that smell like strawberry cobbler? You should go home and take a nice relaxing bath, and I’ll throw a middle finger to every dead plant I see today just for you.”

She sniffles.

“Okay?” I ask.

“Yes, that sounds nice.”

“It will be, especially in that tub.”

She covers her face with her hands. “What if these plants are signs telling me I can’t raise a kid?”

“You’re given what you can handle. My ma always told me that.” My face softens. “Also, you’re gonna be a great mom. You’re caring. You’re smart. And you know what? Sometimes, you kill plants. My mom raised ten kids and started popping them out at nineteen. She had five kids by the time she was your age. Trust me when I say you can handle one.”

“You’re right,” she says.

I make a mental note to text Beckett to let him know Summer is in pregnancy meltdown mode today. “Anything I need to know before you go have that incredible bath?”

“Yes, Andrew Callo will be here in about an hour. I wrote some notes on the pad next to the phone. I’ve decided I’m still making him pancakes in the morning because it’s nice to do, especially after paying fifty thousand dollars for the BB.”

I nod, knowing there is no reasoning with her. “If I need anything, I’ll call you without hesitation.”

I grab her purse and keys from the counter and hand them to her. Then, I walk her through the common area and everything that happened during my shifts over the past week. Summer has been more emotional than usual, but this is the first time I’ve seen tears. I’ve been a friend, but I’m also walking on eggshells because I know I can be blunt and don’t want to hurt her. I can control what I say about work, so I do that instead.

After she’s gone, I read over the note she left about Andrew Callo.

He will have guests with him and would like his privacy. No housekeeping is needed.

“Perfect,” I whisper, then I check each room to ensure plenty of towels and toiletries are stocked. The beds are made, and every surface is clean.

I walk to the kitchen, grab some cookies from the fridge, and preheat the oven. Fresh-baked cookies can make the unhappiest of people smile. I’ve tested it.

Once the oven is heated, I place the cookies on the tray and set a fifteen-minute timer. While I wait, I scroll through social media, then I text Haley.

Remi

How’s work?

She immediately texts me back with a picture of herself sitting in one of the comfy chairs, reading a book.

I laugh.

Remi

We have the best jobs.

Haley

Heck yeah, we do. Are you excited about your birthday?

The question has me smiling wide.

Remi

You have no idea. I’m more excited about this one than any of the others.

Haley

Ooh, you’ve missed beer pong that much?

Remi

Ha! I’m mainly excited because it will be my first day off all month, and then I will switch to the day schedule. Let’s hit up some of those painting classes. I’ll bring the wine.

Haley

Yes! I’d love that! I haven’t been to Spirit Painting in a long time.

It’san adult painting class that’s B.Y.O.B. I walk since it’s only a few blocks from my condo and drink an entire bottle of wine. I’ve gone alone several times but have not visited since I moved to the night shift. My schedule is shit, but it’s almost over. I’m happy to do whatever Summer needs because she gave me this job when I needed it the most.

Working at the BB is the easiest job I’ve ever had. My sister-in-law is an incredible boss, letting me do whatever I want. In my last job, I was micromanaged to death until I was nothing but a corporate corpse. It’s why I stopped coding, even if I was damn good at it. Now, I read romance books and bake cookies all night and day with the occasional towel delivery or sheet change. Most people who visit deny room services.

Remi

Have you been chatting with Emmett?

As I waitfor her reply, the timer beeps. I remove the cookies and place them on top of the oven. The sweet smell wafts through the room. Even though they’re still warm, I put them on a decorative platter. Just as I’m taking the last one off, the bell Summer placed on the counter dings. The sound pierces the air as it travels through the quiet house.

I grow nervous, not knowing what to expect from a man who offered an excessive amount of money for five nights here. It’s suspicious, but it’s not my business.

I grab my plate of cookies and leave the kitchen to greet him.

Moving toward the counter, I see my good friend, Lexi. The woman Harrison almost married, Stephanie, is her cousin, but we’ve never held that against her.

“Oh, my goodness! What’re you doin’ here?” I ask, so damn excited to see her and in disbelief that she stopped by to visit. She’s supposed to be in New York. We texted last week, and she told me she might have someone for me to meet. I didn’t think she was serious, though.

“Surprise!” she says, and she hugs me tight. “Happy early birthday!”

I laugh and step back, and then I notice the tall, dark-haired, handsome man beside her. My eyes trail from his shoes, up his suit pants, to his stark white button-up shirt rolled to his elbows. Detailed tattoos are inked to his wrists and stop precisely where his shirt sleeve would fall. Everything about him screams power and money. I meet his blue eyes, and he’s stone-cold.

“Damn, you’re intimidating,” I say, not sure how I should respond. I’m not sure he’s real, as he gives off protective German shepherd energy. “Wow.”

“I’ve been told that on more than one occasion. I’m Easton Calloway. And you are?” His tone oozes with confidence.

“Remington Valentine.” I hold out my hand, and we exchange a firm handshake. I continue, “But call me Remi. Anyone who uses my full name gets punched in the dick.”

I shoot him a grin but playfully hold up my fist. I glance at Lexi; she looks at him like he roped the moon for her.

“Noted. Well, it’s very nice to meet you, Remi.” He chuckles. “We’d like to check in, please.”

I shake my head, and my ponytail swooshes. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have a reservation in either of your names, and we’re currently booked until Sunday.”

He glances at Lexi and then back at me. “It should be under Andrew Callo. It’s an alias I often use when I travel, so I can’t be tracked.”

Lexi turns to him like this is new information.

“Wow, you’re the guy who rented the entire BB through the weekend?” I ask, shocked. I wonder how long they’ve been together.

Easton nods. “I like my privacy.”

He knows what he wants. I can’t say I’ve met many men who confidently do.

I move behind the counter and login to the laptop. “I’ve got a note about that right here. No one will bother you, guaranteed. I’ll pretend like you don’t exist.”

He may think I’m joking, but I’m not. My favorite guests are the ones who don’t want to be bothered.

“That’s appreciated,” he states as his cell phone rings. He pulls it from his pants pocket and glances down at it. Lexi’s eyes meet his.

“I need to take this,” he says.

“Sure,” she tells him as he strolls to the common room. His voice is inaudible.

I lean across the desk, grinning. “He’s the one you texted me about, isn’t he?”

Last week, she texted me asking how I knew if she was in love. Hilariously enough, we’re in the same place in our relationship. I saw the way Easton looked at her. The twinkle in her eye is undeniable.

“Yep. That’s him, in the flesh.”

She glances over her shoulder at her man. He checks his watch and meets her eyes as if she summoned his attention. A smile meets his lips, and he nods but continues his conversation. That man is fire, and together, they’re an inferno. He’s older, too. If I had to guess, he’s mid-thirties. Maybe they have the same age difference as me and Cash, but it doesn’t matter. They look great together.

“You didn’t say he looked like that. My God. I’m moving to New York.” It’s a joke, but damn, he’s made different.

“I know,” she whispers, shaking her head. “I’m so screwed.”

“I can tell.”

Another tall, dark-haired God enters through the front door.

“Oh, who is he?” I ask.

“Brody, the bodyguard.” She snickers.

I have so many questions for her but now is not the time. So, instead, I turn and grab all the keys from the locked cabinet.

“He rented all the rooms. Do you need all of these?” I ask, setting the ten keys on the counter.

“How did he pull it off?” she asks, looking down at them.

I tilt my head at her. “He made an offer Summer couldn’t refuse.”

“I bet he did,” she says.

“But now that she and Beckett are expecting?—”

“What? I didn’t know. I bet she’s so happy. Oh goodness, that means you’re going to be an aunt. Congrats!”

I smile about Beckett and Summer, who are adding a baby Valentine to the family. They are going to be so spoiled. “Thanks. I’m excited about it, but Kinsley has already claimed the favorite aunt title.”

They’ve been best friends since they were kids, so I’ll let her have this one. I log in to the laptop and type into the reservation system to log what time they checked in. I glance over to see Easton still on his phone, and then I meet Lexi’s gaze. “There are other things that have been going on, though. Recently, I’ve noticed a lot of outsiders visiting.”

“It’s my fault,” she whispers.

“I know. They offered me a hundred bucks to talk about you. I told them to get fucked, though. So did Kinsley. Pretty much everyone has.”

“Beau didn’t,” she admits.

Beau is her ex-boyfriend who cheated on her and knocked up another woman. He’s a bastard, and if he were on fire, I wouldn’t piss to put him out.

My eyes narrow. I don’t like it when people mess with my friends. I’m loyal to a T.

“What the fuck?” I ask.

Before she can continue, Easton and Brody walk over.

Lexi turns to Easton. “Here are our keys.”

“Which goes to the suite?” Easton asks.

I sort through them and hold up the keys to our largest room. “This one.”

“And which room is the farthest away from that one?”

I pick them up, and Easton gives them to Brody. He places them in his pocket, not once cracking a smile. They’re all serious, except for Lexi, who’s like Southern sunshine.

“Thank you. We don’t need any others,” Easton confirms.

I chuckle, knowing he paid fifty grand for two rooms. “I already like you.”

Lexi grins wide. This man already has my stamp of approval. I can get on board with someone who’s no bullshit and likes to be left alone. The two of us may be cut from the same cloth.

“And do we contact you if we need anything else?” Easton asks.

“I’ll be here during the night shift today, tomorrow, and Friday. Summer will arrive in the morning around seven, and breakfast will be served at eight. She loves to make pancakes. Just eat them, okay? She’s pregnant, and she’ll cry at the drop of a hat if you refuse,” I explain. After how emotional she was today, the last thing she needs is a man like Easton refusing to eat her food. She might go into full meltdown mode.

“I don’t like pancakes,” Easton says, and Lexi elbows him. “I’ll learn to love them. Thank you, Remi.” Then, he turns to Lexi. “Ready to go to our room, darling?”

“Yes,” she says. With one glance, they’re lost in one another’s world.

“Thank you,” Lexi whispers to me over her shoulder.

I give her a thumbs-up as they approach the narrow staircase. When I turn my head, I realize Brody is still standing there.

“You’re just as intimidating as him.”

He laughs. “He’s not intimidating.”

“Okay, you won the prize,” I tell him, my eyes slide up the tattoos on his arm. “You were a Marine?”

“Yeah,” he says.

“Do you like cookies?” I ask.

He snags a few with a nod.

“If you need anything else, let me know,” I say.

He lifts his duffel over his shoulder and moves to the stairs. Once I hear his door snap closed, I pull my phone from my pocket and move outside to sit on the rocking chair on the back porch to enjoy the early summer evening. The crickets are out, and I love how warmth floats in the fresh breeze. I open my texts with Haley and see she never answered my last text message asking about Emmett. I’ll ignore it this time.

Remi

Lexi is in town!

After the breakup that had her questioning everything, Haley, Lexi, and I were three peas in a pod. When she moved to New York, I was sad. I’ve missed her.

Haley

Omg! Is she coming to your party? I want to see her!

Remi

She better! She’s staying at the BB this week.

Haley

Finally, the three musketeers are back together again.

Remi

Wait until you meet her boyfriend. We are not worthy.

I siton the back porch for five minutes. I hear a door close and walk through the house to see Easton standing in the common room, flipping a key in his hand.

“You need some help?” I ask.

“Sure,” he says with a smile. His demeanor has spun one-hundred-and-eighty degrees since I saw him ten minutes ago. I narrow my eyes at him. “Why are you so happy?”

He chuckles. “Where is my room located?”

I stare at him for several seconds. Something is off about him. “You’re not Easton.”

Brody comes down the stairs and sees him, then shakes his hand.

“Which room?” he asks Brody.

“Upstairs at the end of the hallway to the left,” he tells him.

I glance at Brody. “Who was that?”

“Family business,” he says.

“I don’t care what you say. That man wasn’t Easton.”

“How do you know?” he asks with a brow lifted. For a moment, I nearly gaslight myself into believing it is Easton.

“That man wasn’t the same,” I explain. “He had a unique energy. I can sense that.”

I hear knocking on the door upstairs. Brody and I listen.

“Open up!” he says, in the same voice and tone as earlier.

Was that Easton, and then Lexi just locked him out?

The door squeaks open and is followed by yelling. I move past Brody, and he grabs my wrist, not letting me go.

He shakes his head.

“Let me go. If my friend gets hurt, you’ll regret it.” If he doesn’t, I’ll take him down like I’ve taken down my brothers, with a knee to the junk.

“Lexi is fine,” he confirms, his expression unchanged. “I promise. Don’t get involved.”

Brody releases me, and I narrow my eyes at him. Moments later, Easton walks down the stairs and out the front door. I follow him and see the white vintage Mustang in front of the house. I admire the Shelby Cobra Mustang, and my mouth falls open as I stare at it. From above, the window slides open.

I turn and look at Lexi, who’s grinning wide.

“Are you kidding me?” I yell, and my voice echoes in the distance. “This is … oh my God!”

Lexi laughs. “I drove it.”

“No way. Let me, please,” I beg as I look inside at the red interior.

Easton shakes his head and speaks loud enough for me to hear. “Absolutely not.”

Lexi snickers. “You’ll have to ask his brother. He’s the only one who gives the keys away.”

“Brother?” I ask as the guy I spoke to minutes prior steps off the porch and walks toward me. “Twins. I knew it. You seemed … different.”

“You might win the record of the person who figured it out within the first few minutes. I’m Weston Calloway. Nice to meet you,” he says, holding his hand out to me.

I take it, and he kisses my knuckles, meeting my eyes. “Remi. I also have a twin. I see through that shit.”

“Ah,” he asks. “That’s how you knew. Are you identical?”

“No, I have a brother, but you’re not as transparent as you think. It’s a different vibe.”

He chuckles and lets go of my hand. “It’s not the first time I’ve heard that. Lovely to meet you, Remi. I’ll be staying while they’re here. Can you give me a set of keys to my room?”

I glance over my shoulder at Easton and Lexi, who are lost in one another.

“Are they always like this?” I ask him.

“Always. I’m responsible for them getting together.”

I laugh. “Really, you’re a matchmaker?”

“You better fucking believe it,” Weston says.