Chapter 16
My heart pounds as Valentine’s fingers gently lift my chin, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine.
I’m not supposed to feel like this–I came here to tell him off, to put him in his place. But now, standing this close, my resolve is slipping, melting under the weight of his touch.
“You’re trembling,” he murmurs, his voice low and teasing a grin spreading across his face as if he can read my thoughts. “What’s the matter, princesst Afraid of what might happen next?”
My breath catches. I should be furious, not flustered. But his confidence, the way he calls me princess with that sug smirk, makes it impossible to think straight.
I shake my head, stepping back just a little to regain control. “Im not scared of you,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.
His eyes sparkle with amusement. “Oh, I think you are.” He leans in close, his breath warm against my car as he whispers, “And I think you like it.”
My face flushes with heat. This isn’t how I imagined this meeting would go.
1 straighten my back, pushing his hand away from my chin. “You’re wrong, Valentine,” I say firmly, even as my pulse quickens. “I’m not playing your games. I don’t care how confident you are or how much you think you can charm your way out of everything”
He raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by my sudden defiance. “Is that so?”
“Yes,” I cross my arms, trying to appear unbothered. “You don’t get to decide things for me, I’m not your girlfriend, and I’m definitely not going to be your friend with benefis
Valentine chuckles softly, running a hand through his hair as he looks at me. “Alright, alright, I get it.” He pauses, his grin softening into something almost sincere. “But for the record, I’m not giving u
I stare at him, my heart still racing. And a small idiotic part of me is hoping he’ll kiss me.
Cah!
I turn to storm off, but then remember something “Um Valentine. There was something cbc.
He raises an eyebrow. “Yes?”
“My dad um he.” I stammer.
“Yes?” he repeats, looking ammused.
“He wants you to come
come over for dinner tonight, I sigh, feeling the heat rise to my face.
Valentine’s eyes widen. “Your dad wants me to come over for dinner?” He enubcutes each word, like he can’t quite believe it.
I nod, my face flushing even deeper. “Yes. It’s no big deal. I told him you were taking me to the prom, and he said he can’t let me ego meeting you first. He’s very protective
without
Valentine runs a hand through his hair, looking thoughtful for a moment. “Alright, I can handle that,” he says finally, his confident smirk returning. “I’ll come over, charm your dad, and we’ll be good to go.”
I sigh, feeling a knot of anxiety tighten in my stomach. “Just don’t push his buttons, okay? Promise me.”
Valentine gives me a reassuring smile, stepping closer. “I promise. I’ll be on my best behavior, princess.
My heart skips a beat at the stupid nickname again, but I force myself to look away. “You’d better be,” I muner, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest. “Or this could turn into a disaster.”
He chuckles sofily, leaning in again. “Guess we’ll find out tonight.”
The evening creeps up faster than I expect, and soon I’m pacing in front of the mirror, checking my reflection for what feels like the hundredth time. My nerves are a mess, partly because of Valentine and his talent for getting under my skin, and partly because my dad has a knack for making things sense. I can’t decide what would be worse–Valentine charming my dad or ticking him off.
“Relax, it’ll be fine.” I mutter, running my hands down the fabric of my dress. 1 picked something simple but classy, hoping to strike the right
balance.
1/2
Chapter 161
A knock at the door jolts me out of my thoughts, and my heart skips a beat. It has to be Valentine. I take a deep breath and head downstairs, rehearsing the words I’ll need if things go sideways with Dad.
As I reach the bottom, I see Dad’s already at the door, pulling it open with his usual commanding presence. Valentine’s standing on the porch, looking slightly more put together than usual, but that trademark grin is still firmly in place.
Dad sizes him up, his voice neutral but laced with an edge. “Valentine Reed”
Wait–did I tell Dad Valentine’s last name? He must’ve looked him up beforehand
“Nice
Valentine glances u
to meet you, sir,” Valentine says smoothly, stepping inside as Dad moves aside. I hang back on the stairway, watching as Dad shuts the door.
sup at me, flashing that annoyingly gorgeous smile, and I feel a flutter in my stomach that I wish I didn’t.
Dad clears his throat. “Scarlet told me about prom. What makes you think you’re good enough to take my daughter?”
“River!” comes Emma’s horrified voice from the dining room. She strides over, giving Dad a disapproving look. “Don’t be rude to our guest
“I most certainly am not good enough for Scarlet, sir. But I’m willing to work my way up to get there,” Valentine replies, and I almost trip over my own feet as I make my way down the stairs. I’m not sure if I should be impressed or nervous at how he’s handling Dad’s intensity.
Dad raises an eyebrow, clearly unamused. “Work your way up? You think this is a game, boy?”
Valentine holds his ground, his grin fading into something more serious. “No, sir. I don’t take Scarlet lightly. I respect her
Dad’s eyes narrow, that familiar protectiveness flaring “see”
Before I can step in, Emma places a gentle hand on Dad’s arm, stepping between them. “Dinner’s ready, and we can all sit down and get to know each other better,” she says, her tone cheerful as she looks at Valentine. “It’s nice to meet you, Valentine!”
I let out a breath. I didn’t realize I was holding as Emma guides everyone into the dining room. The tension is thick, but Valentine doesn’t seem fazed, his confidence intact as ever,
Does nothing scores him! I wonder.
As we settle around the dining table, I steal a quick glance at my dad, whose expression is still unreadable. My stomach twists with worry—I have no idea how this evening is going to play out, and the thought of it going wrong makes my nerves spike even more.
Emma, trying to ease the tension, smiles warmly at Valentine. “So, Valentine,” she begins. tell us about yourself. What’s your family like!”
Valentine takes a moment, wiping his hands on his napkin, looking thoughtful. “T’s just the two of us at home. My mother and me. I don’t have any siblings.
“But you had one. Dad interjects, his voice calm yet somehow loaded. I feel my eyes widen, shooting him a startled look
Valentine’s head snaps toward him, his expression turning to confusion. “I’m sorry
“You had a Lidle brother who died when he was two. Dad says, as casually as if he were mentioning the weather.
Valentine stares, clearly taken aback. “H–how do you?” he starts, but Dad just raises his hand, stopping him mid–sentence.
“You’re Shelly Reed’s son, aren’t you?” Dad continues, his tone cold and unnervingly casual. “Nobody knows who your father is, not even Shelly henell, considering she was barely conscious around the time she got pregnant.”
I feel my heart drop, and I glance at Valentine, whose expression has hardened. “How do you know all of this?” he asks, his voice low and tense
I sit there, feeling like I’m watching something I shouldn’t–like this is a moment that should be private. But it’s too late to stop now; the words are out the
tara kondina hasina lai tha ale nad 1 has no idea -kas akin to mine in land
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AD
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