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Happy Valentine's Day:) When I was in my teens, I was always envious of my friends with boyfriends. They sported teddy bears, chocolates, or even jewelry. In college, roses, 1st Promise rings, or even engagement rings were given. I had only two V-days while seeing someone, and received a red rose from one, and a vase of yellow roses from the other.
The man I ended up marrying later got me not only a huge Hershey Kiss, but took me out to dinner. Since then, I've pretty much bought my own chocolate, and focus mainly on the kids. He's taking me to lunch today, and then I'll fix him a good meal tonight before we watch Big Bang Theory.
Not very romantic, but after 22 years, I've come to realize any day can be special. It's your attitude, not just the fact 'Oh, it's the 14th. I must get him/her XYZ....' He says 'I love you' whenever he pays for my promo items; deals with the kids when I'm trying to meet a deadline; and brings me pistachios during March Madness. Oh, and doesn't complain about how many boxes of Girl Scout cookies I order!
Anyway, only one of my books has a Valentine's Day scene in it. It's not your typical 'Happy Valentine's Day, I love you.' scene. Enjoy:)
Two weeks later, on Valentine’s Day,
Kevin drove Tammy to a quiet restaurant in the next town, reputed for its
tender, flavorful steaks and succulent seafood.
“I know this is a little cliché.” Kevin
paused as the waiter poured their champagne. “But I thought, what the hell.” He
pulled out a tiny blue velvet box and set it in front of Tammy.
Her heart nearly stopped. “Oh,
Kevin…you sent me flowers, you brought me a box of chocolates…the dinner….and
now…?” Shaking, her fingers opened the box and revealed the beautiful sapphire
and diamond ring. Eyes brimming with tears, she raised her head and looked at
Kevin, her mouth trembling.
He took it from her. “Tamara Renee,” he
removed the ring from the box and reached for her left hand, “will you do me
the honor of marrying me?” He slipped the ring on her finger.
She couldn’t speak. Thoughts swirled
around in her head. The first time she’d laid eyes (and lips) on him; meeting
him in his classroom, after purging him from her thoughts; the first time
they’d made love in a bed; the fact he didn’t raise a fuss over her craft fair
booths; hearing Melanie claim he was hers; standing up for him in the face of
sexual harassment charges; the issues with her son’s anger management. And her
own insecurities toward relationships.
“I can’t.” Tears splashed on her
cheeks. “I’m sorry…I just don’t feel ready.” She continued to study it on her
hand, until she removed it and put it back in its box, placing it back in front
of Kevin. “Excuse me.” She dashed for the ladies’ room and locked herself into
a vacant stall, muffling her sobs with her fists and toilet paper. Eventually,
she calmed and washed her face at the sink and did her best to repair her
makeup. Putting on a brave face, she returned to the table, where the little
blue box was nowhere in sight. Kevin was drinking his champagne with a somber
expression. He looked up when she reached the table.
“Tam.” He stood and slid his arms
around her. “I was afraid maybe you’d tried to run off.”
“We came in your car.” She indicated
the table. “What’s this?”
“I ordered you some stuffed mushrooms.
That’s all you talked about, all the way here.” He took her hands in his and
took a deep breath. “Maybe I rushed things a bit. Can I just retract the offer,
and we enjoy a good meal?”
Tears threatened to fall again. “And
here I was worried you wouldn’t want to see me anymore.” She slid into her seat
and was startled when Kevin knelt down.
“I love you, Tammy. I want to spend tonight and the rest of my life with you, and if the thought of a formal commitment freaks you out, then I’ll settle for the unconventional. You let me know when you’re ready, and I’m sorry I rushed you.”
Teacher's Pet available at Freya's Bower, Amazon, and B&N.
Want to read more? Tell me if you've ever been proposed to on V-Day or broken up with someone. I'll draw a random name for a free copy of Teacher's Pet:)
9 comments:
Never lol I'm watching the Big Bang Theory right now lol
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com
Hubby has to work tonight, so our Valentine's Day will be tomorrow. We'll probably just have a nice dinner at home.
Oh, wow, she had better grab him; he's a keeper. My husband got me yellow roses on our first wedding anniversary-- they're my fave. Good luck on the hop.
Never, nothing dramatical, neither negative or positive, has really happened on Valentines day for me.
tessa dot bamberg at kolumbus dot fi
Nope neither has happened to me on valentines day.
susanmplatt AT hotmail DOT com
Thanks for the giveaway! Sometimes I wish I was swept away by someone's love especially on Valentine's Day. Being young, I have yet to have the opportunity. If I could choose any man in the world to sweep me away, I would certainly choose Alexander Skarsgard. He's nice, funny, polite and well educated. If I could pick a fictional man, I would choose Jamie Fraser from "Outlander." With his rough physicality, loving sensibility, and fierce passion, I know I would be happy for the rest of my life. I wish I could be swept away to New Zealand or Scotland, somewhere beautifully green and primitive.
Enough with my epic daydreams…
Happy Valentine's Day!
mestith at gmail dot com
Haven't done either but I think breaking up with someone would be cruel on that day
xo_veronica16[at]hotmail[dot]com
Thank you for the awesome hop and giveaway!!! :)
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
No, I haven't had either one happen to me on Valentine's Day.
sstrode at scrtc dot com
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