A Valentine's Wish (16 page)

L
ori fiddled with the strings on her apron as Bella breezed out of the shop, unable to do more than call a faint goodbye in her wake. Andy held the door for his aunt and then turned, sending a sad smile in Lori’s direction. The depth of emotion in his eyes made Lori open her mouth, eager to stop him and apologize for her outburst at the church Wednesday night. Then Jason cleared his throat, and the reminder of her decision hit full force. She couldn’t go into business with Jason now if she and Andy had a chance together.

Lori looked back at Andy, but he was gone. The door shut behind them with a snap, and a thick silence fell over the shop.

Jason joined Lori on her side of the counter, slipping off his coat and tossing it on the shelf. “Alone at last.”

“Actually, Monny is still in the kitchen.” Lori tapped the pages of her proposal together although they were already pretty straight. Hopefully Monny wouldn’t leave for lunch before Summer arrived for her shift. Lori didn’t feel comfortable being alone with Jason, especially not with that eager gleam in his eye. Should she get rid of him, cancel the whole deal? But what if Andy refused to give her a second chance? Part of Lori wanted to run after Andy and beg forgiveness for
overreacting. The other part of her—the logical, realistic, soon-to-be unemployed part—feared his rejection and whispered doubts laden with insecurity.

Lori forced a smile through the turmoil. “What’s the first step?” She wanted to draw up papers or go real-estate shopping. Something. Anything to convince herself she was making the right move.

A slow smile quirked Jason’s lips. “I think the first step should be a hug—and maybe a kiss.” He held out his arms and moved toward her with an enticing smile. “What do you say? For old time’s sake?”

Lori ducked away from his reach, and Jason’s arms fell to his sides. A frustrated frown marred his features. “Come on, Lori. We’re a team again. What’s the big deal?”

She jerked as if he’d slapped her. “It’s a very big deal. You haven’t earned my trust back. This is a business to me, Jason. Business
only.
I’m not interested in being partners with benefits, regardless of our past.”

His expression hardened, then softened as if he’d flipped a switch. “I’m sorry. You’re right.” He straightened and edged away, respecting her space. “Let’s take a look at that proposal you have and see what kind of goals you’re after.”

Lori pressed her lips together and took a deep breath before handing over the proposal.

Jason flipped open the first page. “This looks great. Very professional.”

“Thanks.” Her shoulders straightened. “I did it myself.”

“You did a good job.”

This was new—compliments on her efficiency from the very man who once ruined most of the confidence she’d ever had. Lori’s defenses melted a little further. This was the smart choice. It had to be. She smiled. “I just might have to celebrate my new business with some shoe shopping tonight. I can use my gift card.”

Jason nodded absently as he kept flipping pages.

“The gift card you got me.”

“What?” He looked up, eyebrows scrunched together in confusion.

Lori reached for her purse to show him. “You know, the one you sent when you were my secret admirer.”

“Oh, right. That one.” He smiled, distracted, as he looked back at the proposal. “Hope you enjoy it.”

Lori tucked the gift card back in her purse. Something didn’t feel right. Was Jason that preoccupied with her proposal? He almost sounded like he’d never seen the present in the first place.

Time for a test. Lori tugged the proposal from his hand. “That was really romantic, you know, playing the role of secret admirer. It was what helped convince me to forgive you and give you a chance with this business deal.”

“Glad to hear it.” Jason reached for the papers, but Lori held them back, forcing him to keep eye contact.

“What was your favorite of the presents you sent?”

His cheeks colored. “The gift card, of course. I remembered how much you love shopping.”

“Second favorite.”

Jason sighed, clearly growing frustrated. “Why does it matter?”

“Just curious.” Lori kept the proposal out of reach and waited.

“The, uh…the teddy bear.” He sniffed and snatched at the document in her hand. “Now can we get back to work?”

Lori let the papers slide through her fingers as anger fused with shock. She’d never received a teddy bear. A fact that could only mean one thing—Jason wasn’t her secret admirer.

Her eyes narrowed at Jason’s profile as rage and a fresh burst of regret reeled her senses. He’d lied to her, again. He hadn’t changed—if anything, he’d gotten worse. She didn’t want anything to do with this man. Not with his money, or his time. How could she have ever considered going into business with him? Her stomach rocked at the close call, and she grabbed her proposal. “Get out.”

“What? Lori, are you insane?” Jason stared in surprise. “What’s wrong with you?”

“You are.” She shoved his jacket at him. “My secret admirer never sent a teddy bear. You lied to me.”

“I said what I had to say to get you to talk to me.” Jason stumbled over his feet as Lori kept pushing him toward the door. “I know this is the right decision, if you would just—”

“I said go—before I call the police.”

“The police?” Jason gawked. “Lori, what’s gotten into you? You’ve never been this rude before.”

“Guess I learned from the best. Thanks for teaching me.” She pushed open the front door and held it with a pointed expression. “Goodbye, Jason.”

“You can’t give up on her.” Bella’s tone offered little room for arguments from the passenger seat of Andy’s car.

His fingers gripped the wheel harder as he made the turn onto his aunt’s street. “You don’t understand. She made her decision.”

She
tsked
with her tongue, flapping one hand in the air as if brushing off a fly. “Women change their minds all the time. It’s our prerogative.”

Andy bit his lip to keep back the frustration threatening to pour forth as he pulled into Bella’s driveway. “You know you’re my favorite aunt, but will you please give it a rest?” He couldn’t take much more of the prodding. Bella hadn’t stopped since the moment they’d left the shop. It was like ripping a bandage off his heart with every word.

Bella opened the door as the car rolled to a halt. “I will certainly not give it a rest. My favorite nephew is in love, and I’m going to make sure his heart doesn’t get broken.” She shut the door behind her and walked to the trunk.

“I’m your only nephew,” Andy muttered as he unlatched his seat belt. He joined Bella at the trunk of his car and picked up the largest of her suitcases, her words echoing
through his head.
I’m going to make sure his heart doesn’t get broken.

Andy hefted the suitcase into the house, duffel bags hanging off each arm. Too late for that.

Summer’s eyes grew rounder and rounder. “I’m a measly half hour late for work and I miss all the good stuff.” She shook her head, blond hair brushing fast across her cheeks. “I can’t believe Jason lied like that.”

“I can.” Lori locked the door of the Chocolate Gator and slipped her keys into her purse. “He always did before.” She pressed her fingers against her eyes, wishing she could erase the entire day. Looking back, the whole afternoon seemed surreal. First Bella’s unexpected return, Jason and Andy butting heads, and then discovering Jason’s lies. She wanted to go home and hide under the covers, but maybe an evening stroll would clear her mind. “Do you want to take a walk with me? I need some air.”

“Sure.” Summer fell into step beside Lori, and they walked the first block in silence, enjoying the quiet, cool night air.

Lori tugged her jacket tighter around her, trying not to look in store windows as they ambled through the French Quarter. Red and pink hearts decorated almost every display, a harsh reminder that Valentine’s Day was right around the corner. She’d been single the last few years at the dreaded V-day, but she always had Gracie and Andy to order a pizza with or rent a sappy movie to make fun of together. Now Gracie had Carter, and Andy—well, Lori had lost that friendship along with everything else she thought she was sure of this afternoon.

“Why are men so clueless?” Summer offered the question into the evening air.

Lori shrugged. “Some things we’ll never know.” She let out her breath in a slow huff. “Sort of like how I’ll probably never know who my secret admirer was.”

Summer’s eyebrows knitted together. “I guess that is still a
mystery, huh? I grew so used to the idea of it being Jason, I forgot we still have no idea.”

“I wish I could forget.”

“Come on, you don’t regret the gifts, do you?” Summer paused in front of the window of a music store and admired the display promoting iPods. “Oh, look, the new version is out.”

Lori pulled on Summer’s jacket sleeve to tug her along. “No, I don’t regret getting the gifts, not really. But if I hadn’t gotten them, I would have never agreed to this deal with Jason. I really thought he had changed.”

“Forget about that. Nothing you can do now.” Summer shoved her hands in her coat pockets. “Maybe your secret admirer is a stranger, some random customer that saw you working that first day in the shop and thought you were cute.”

“Maybe.” Lori shivered as a sudden gust of wind lifted her hair from her coat collar. But she didn’t want a stranger, she wanted Andy. “Wait, that’s impossible. The gifts were so personalized, he had to have already known me.”

“Then I’ll tell you what I’ve told you a hundred times already. It’s Andy.”

Lori shook her head. “No way.”

“Why not?” Summer stopped walking and faced Lori, crossing her arms stubbornly across her chest. “You’ve been so determined this whole time that it couldn’t be him. I don’t understand why you’re so adamant about it.”

Because nothing that great ever happened to her.

The truth rocked Lori’s senses, and she stopped beside Summer, a new chill washing over her that had nothing to do with the winter breeze teasing her hair. After Jason broke off their wedding, she’d started looking for the negative in everything. Why waste precious time and energy on something she wanted so badly just to get shot down again?

Summer started walking again. “Quit assuming you know everything and give the idea a chance.”

Lori didn’t want to go there in her mind, not after the emotional drama of the afternoon, but Summer’s silence made it impossible not to. Andy knew she loved chocolate—Wait a minute. The Hershey’s Kisses. She stopped walking again, and her mouth gaped. Andy always kept a bowl of them on his desk in his office at the church. The corny cards—pure Andy. The new leather Bible cover—he’d seen her ripped and faded one at church a hundred times. Of course he’d know her favorite verse. And the gift card for the shoes—well, anyone could have known that.

But the sweet note that came with the last gift…Lori closed her eyes, the words still memorized, lingering in her brain.
To the woman who makes more lists than anyone I’ve ever known—just one of your many adorable qualities. Here’s a supply to get you through the next few pro/con situations.

The truth hit Lori’s heart like Cupid’s bow, and a slow smile teased the edges of her lips until it blossomed into a full-fledged, goofy grin.

Andy really was her secret admirer.

L
ori tried to squelch her excitement as she poured two cups of coffee and took them to the table where Bella waited. The shop owner had called her that morning and asked to meet before the store opened to discuss business. Maybe Bella was going to let Lori stay on a little longer. At least until she could put out her résumé and find a decent paycheck—especially since Lori’s dream of running her own store was no longer possible, thanks to a horde of snobby bankers and her lying ex-fiancé.

She pushed away the negativity that still hovered with thoughts of Jason. Eventually, she’d have to forgive him. If she didn’t, that grudge would only fester and spoil her own life—not his. It was obvious Jason had no true regrets about anything. It was better to brush him out of her life once and all—even if the forgiveness factor still left a bad taste in her mouth.

It sure would be a lot easier to forgive him if she had something positive to cling to—like a relationship with Andy. Why hadn’t he answered her calls last night? Lori tried to focus as she sat in the chair opposite Bella. Now wasn’t the time for wishing. It was time to get to business. She drew a deep breath. “Need any cream or sugar?”

“Black is fine.” Bella took a long sip. “Mmm, perfect.”

“It took a while to get there.” Lori wrinkled her nose. “Your coffeemaker didn’t like me at first.”

“Lucille is ornery,” Bella agreed.

“You named the coffee machine?”

“A monstrosity like that deserves recognition. Don’t you think?”

“Maybe that’s why she never liked me. I didn’t know her name.” Lori grinned around her mug.

“Well, regardless of Lucille’s stubbornness, you rose above and conquered your obstacles. I’m very impressed.” Bella leaned back in her chair and studied Lori with a serious gaze. “I left you in a tough spot. No training, little instruction. Yet you did an amazing job.”

Lori blinked and set her mug on the table. “I did?”

“Certainly. Sales increased from last quarter, and I can’t walk down the street without one of our regulars telling me how much fun they had visiting with you. They also mention how much Summer has changed, how friendly and lighthearted she is now.” Bella shook her head with amazement. “You’re like a supermanager.”

It couldn’t be that easy. Doubt tickled the edges of Lori’s newfound confidence, and she nervously traced the rim of her coffee cup with one finger. Maybe she had made a difference in befriending Summer, but the sales record had to be a mistake. She hated to remind Bella of her many managing errors, but Lori had to know. “What about all my mess-ups? Forgetting to close the freezer and losing a day’s worth of customers, burning ingredients, a flopped three-for-two sale…” Lori’s voice trailed off as Bella waved her hand in the air.

“Everyone makes mistakes. Two months after I opened the store, I nearly burned the place down when I forgot to turn off the oven. Life happens, Lori. It’s what we make of it that counts—and you have made this business something worthwhile over the past several weeks.” Bella smiled. “So I’d like to offer you a full-time management position, under a few conditions.”

Lori’s heart soared so high she thought it might never come back down. She had a job! It wasn’t managing her own store, but that could come in the future after she raised her credit scores and padded her savings accounts. This way she could draw a decent paycheck, pay off her debt and get to keep hanging out with Summer and Monny.

Her hopes danced a little higher. Who knew, if she stayed at the shop, maybe she’d eventually convince Andy to give her another chance. Between church and the Chocolate Gator, he’d have to talk to her eventually. Whatever conditions Bella had up her sleeve would be well worth the benefits. Lori leaned forward in her chair. “What conditions? I’ll do anything!”

“I thought you might.” Bella’s eyes twinkled. “The first condition is that you must implement all the ideas you had in your proposal. Your plan for selling logo merchandise in the store is pure genius. Make it happen.”

“Really?” Lori’s mouth opened in surprise. “The tote bags, coffee mugs, aprons, flip-flops—”

“The works.” Bella nodded. “Just use the company credit card to get started, and I have a hunch profits will pay off in a few short months. The second condition is you have to agree to consider buying the shop from me when I retire. You’ll have about three years to prepare.”

Lori reeled backward. “You’re retiring?”

“Spending time with my family in north Louisiana made me realize how much I miss them. I’d like to move there eventually, and this agreement seems ideal. It gives me a few years to get some affairs in order, and gives you time to save your pennies for buying me out.” Bella winked.

Lori’s mind whirled as the reality of what was happening settled around her. She was not only going to keep managing the Chocolate Gator, she was going to get to own it in a few short years! This was even better than starting her own business from scratch—she’d have instant clientele and little risk of failing. God had answered her heart’s desire, and in an even
better way than she could have hoped for. Lori blinked hard against the sudden onset of happy tears. “Is that all?”

“Yes, on the business end. But I do have a personal request.”

“Anything.”

Bella scooted her mug out of the way and reached for Lori’s hands across the table. “My Andy is quite smitten with you. I know there have been some misunderstandings, but the boy is miserable.”

“I know.” Lori lowered her eyes. “I’ve tried calling him, but he’s avoiding me.” She licked her lips. “I don’t know what else to do but wait.”

“Don’t give up.” Bella squeezed her hands, then released them with a smile. “You’re a smart girl. You’ll figure something out.”

Saturday afternoon, Andy pulled his car into the church lot and parked in his usual spot. The gym would be deserted today, and he could play a little basketball in peace and try to forget the events of the last two days. Lori had tried to call his cell three times since Thursday night, but he couldn’t bring himself to answer. Once she and Jason started a business partnership, it was probably only a matter of time before they fell in love again. He couldn’t stand hearing her talk about how happy she was with Jason and their new arrangement. He also couldn’t stand Bella’s pushing, so he’d ignored her calls the past two days as well. Andy loved his aunt, but one more “Don’t give up on Lori” and he might rip his hair out by the roots.

Andy fiddled with the lock on the gym door until it finally opened, then helped himself to the storage closet full of sports equipment. The steady thumping of the basketball against the hardwood floor felt comfortably familiar, and he swished an easy three-pointer. Now, why couldn’t he play like that when the kids were watching?

He nailed another shot, and then practiced a few layups. Ten minutes later, a fine sweat coated his forehead, and the ball felt slick against his palms.

“Dude, I’m open!”

The deep voice startled Andy away from his game, and the ball bricked against the rim. Jeremy stood at one side of the court, hands out. Andy tossed him the ball. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s Saturday. Haley’s at some cheerleading thing, so I thought I’d see who was hanging out here. I tried your cell to get you to meet me, but you didn’t answer.”

Andy dug his phone from his pocket. He’d silenced it after Lori’s last call and forgot to turn it back on. He turned the volume up. “Sorry about that.”

“Why was it on mute? I thought you only did that during church services.” Jeremy nailed a perfect layup, then rebounded the ball to Andy.

Andy dribbled twice and shot. It hit the backboard and bounced left. “You want honesty, or the easy answer?”

“Honesty.” Jeremy caught the basketball and threw it back.

Andy missed again. “I’m avoiding Lori.”

“I thought you were chasing Lori.”

“Plans changed. She has a new…business partner.” The words left a stale taste in Andy’s mouth. He didn’t want to think about how Lori and Jason would spend Valentine’s Day—cozied up somewhere romantic, to be sure. Jason the Jerk probably wouldn’t even notice Lori would wear her red polka-dot heels like she did every Valentine’s Day. He didn’t deserve her. Andy threw the ball with extra force, and it sank through the net with hardly a swish.

“You should play angry more often.” Jeremy tossed a three-pointer. “So, what are you going to do to win her back?”

“Win her back?” Andy stopped in the middle of the court and bent over, panting. “What do you mean?”

Jeremy hooked the ball under his arm and paused in front of Andy. “Whenever Haley’s mad at me, I always do something nice to win her over. You know, something romantic like flowers or candy.” He rolled his eyes. “Girls like that stuff.”

Andy stifled a laugh at the words of knowledge coming
from this high-school jock. But funny or not, Jeremy had a solid point. Girls did like that stuff, especially Lori. Would Jason keep up the romantic charade Andy had started with the secret-admirer game? Or would he eventually reveal his true colors?

It didn’t matter. Lori had made her choice. “It’s too late for flowers, man.”

“It’s never too late,” Jeremy argued. He spun the ball on his finger and watched it wobble. “One time Haley thought I was into this other girl, but it was a stupid misunderstanding. A large order of fries and a dozen roses later, I was back in the game.”

It would take more than a few French fries to convince Lori he had pursued her because of love and not for the sake of his job. But maybe something a little more creative could work. Would she even listen to an attempt?

Andy had to find out. One more try before he accepted reality and admitted defeat. It was almost Valentine’s Day—a guy could hope, couldn’t he? Andy clapped Jeremy on his shoulder as he jogged past him toward the back door. “I think I know just the thing. Thanks!”

He needed a sheet of paper and a pen.

Lori flicked on the lights inside the Chocolate Gator, checking her watch for the third time since leaving her house. She had just enough time to bag up a variety of chocolates for Andy before church started. She needed to get there a little early, as she’d have her hands full today, helping out in the youth department, fielding broken hearts from teen girls still unnoticed by their crush and convincing the guys it was okay to share their mushy feelings with their girlfriends one day out of the year.

Hopefully before the chaos began she’d have a chance to find Andy and give him a personalized valentine—a bag of mixed chocolates, and her heart. Plus a little something she’d prepared on her new stationery.

Lori worried her bottom lip between her teeth as she slid open
the display case. Since Andy had avoided her calls all weekend, this little V-day delivery of hers could go either way. But she had to try. Whether he took her back or not, Andy had to know that Jason was no longer in the equation and she knew the truth about the gifts. It was his decision how he chose to respond.

She’d better quit thinking about it or she’d chicken out.

Lori grabbed one of the new pink-and-black bags she’d special-ordered for Valentine’s Day and shoveled a mix of Andy’s favorites into the sack. Caramel creams, chocolate-drizzled marshmallow puffs and, of course, a few chocolate crocodiles. She topped the order off with a cherry crème bonbon, tucked the special note inside and stapled the bag shut.

A timid knock sounded on the front door. Lori swiveled toward the entryway and nearly dropped the bag of goodies. Andy peered through the glass, shading his eyes with one hand. She hid the bag behind her back and threw the dead bolt to open the door. “Andy! What are you doing here?”

He stepped inside, shoving aside a shock of sandy hair that had fallen in his eyes. “I got your note asking to meet me here.”

“I didn’t send a note.” Her heart trembled at his nearness, and she edged away a step so she could breathe. No one but Andy had ever had this effect on her senses. She drew a shaky breath.

“Yes, you did.” Andy whipped a handwritten card out of the pocket of his khakis. “It says right here to meet you at the shop before church.”

Lori bit back a smile. “That’s Haley’s handwriting.”

“Haley? How did she—” Andy briefly closed his eyes. “Jeremy. I played basketball with him yesterday.”

Lori couldn’t help but laugh. She should have known better than to tell Haley her plans for surprising Andy. The meddling little matchmaker had begged for an update yesterday. With Lori still soaring high from the good news about her job, she’d confessed more than she probably should have.

Though this particular act of matchmaking might have been for the best. Now Lori could give Andy his gift in private and not risk the embarrassment of being watched at the church. Her grip tightened on the bag, and the paper rustled.

“What’s that?” A shadow fell across Andy’s face. “Something for Jason?”

“No.” Lori swallowed and held the sack out to Andy. “It’s actually for you. I was going to surprise you at church, but thanks to Cupid’s little helpers, this might be a better time.”

“For me?” Andy’s eyebrows arched. “What about—”

“Jason isn’t in the picture anymore.” Lori took a step closer. “I tried to call you and tell you all weekend, but you never answered.”

The Adam’s apple bobbed in Andy’s throat. “I thought you were calling to talk about your new relationship.”

“Relationship?” Lori snorted. “I never would have considered dating Jason again. I was in it for the business angle only.” She sighed. “Although I don’t think he ever got that particular memo.”

Andy frowned. “I thought since you were going into business with him that you two would—”

“It never crossed my mind.” Lori held up two fingers.

Andy gently tugged them down. “You were never a Scout.”

“It’s still the truth.” She smiled, then lowered her gaze. “Listen, Andy. I know you’re my secret admirer.”

“You figured it out, huh?”

She tilted her head to one side. “Why did you let me believe it was Jason all that time?”

Andy reached up to rub the back of his neck with one hand. “I thought you were glad it was him. Then, when he made you that business offer…” Andy shrugged as his voice trailed off. “It was too late. I was too late.”