He's So Not My Valentine (Cataloochee Coffee Shop Romances, #2)

by Savannah Scott

Middle-of-the-night crises shrink back to right-sized annoyances in the light of dawn.

her eyes unflinching, suddenly makes me feel alive in places that seem to have been numb for some time now.

any man who hasn’t pursued you like the first batch of apple cider donuts in fall is a fool if you ask me.”

A beautiful young woman should believe in romance. Not only believe, she should experience it.

She seems to enjoy coming back to life as much as I enjoy being a witness.

Talk about a straw breaking the camel’s back. This camel has all the straw she can handle.

She’s probably forgotten she’s an irresistible woman, and not merely because of her looks.

Heather’s a woman. And she deserves to remember that

She’s beautiful in a way only a woman who has no idea of her appeal can be.

Women who pour time and effort into their appearance have a certain allure. It’s a practiced image, one built to draw the eye. But a woman who throws herself into motherhood and serving others has a different level of desirability. Heather’s looks are naturally captivating. Her heart only magnifies her raw beauty.

she doesn’t have a person of her own who is simply there for her—someone to put her first, to treasure her, to share life with her in the way a devoted boyfriend or husband would. I can’t be that man, but I can help her know one exists, and I can encourage her to see that she’s worth giving herself another chance at romance.

Being an adult is mostly being exhausted, wishing you hadn't made plans, and wondering how you hurt your back. ~ Unknown

That could be my life-motto, come to think of it. Woman: in search of someone reliable. What a low bar I’ve come to set for myself. But, then again, who knew reliability would be such a rare commodity?

Be young while you can. Life keeps rolling by and one day you won’t be able to bend to tie your shoe without letting out some sort of noise or another. Now’s the time to grab up the fun.”

It’s a heady experience to be on the receiving end of all that smolder and attention. And he gives it so freely and casually, but with such sincerity.

I heard nothing but her words. I saw nothing but her beauty. I felt nothing but her indecision and that ever-present fire beneath the surface. Tonight, she is a woman who needs to be noticed—to be the sole focus of a man’s appreciation and respect. And she had mine from the moment I opened the door to greet her in the driveway. That red dress might be the death of me. In another lifetime, I’d be the man pursuing her.

the mountains pale in comparison to his sister-in-law.

I’ve been avoiding naming it, but after talking with Tasha, it’s clear Rene’s not just flirting for sport. I feel the tug between us. It’s exhilarating—nearly intoxicating at times. And I can’t afford to be under the influence.

“You know I want you. You see how I am drawn to you. I might be flirtatious, but I do not flirt with every beautiful woman.

look of intensity and wonder that threatens to undo me.

“Cher,” he coos. “Come here.” His hand, now on my hip, gives a tug to emphasize where here is. Oh. There. Right there. Nestled in his arms.

“Thank you,” I kiss her temple and draw her into another hug. “For what?” “For allowing me to be the one who took you on a date. I am honored.”

“Thank you for taking me out. You reminded me I’m more than a mom and a woman running a business.” “You are so much more.”

I felt like he was holding me together and somehow setting me free at the same time.

I should have known Rene would handle everything, including my nerves. He beamed a smile at me that was tinged with longing. But that smile managed to smooth out all my jagged thoughts in an instant.

He stepped near to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder and softly placed his lips to my temple. It was the sweetest gesture, not a trace of playfulness or desire was involved. I felt like I was his to hold, his to kiss, his to comfort and support. It’s a heady experience when a man like Rene harnesses all that charisma and care, and chooses me as the sole recipient. I’m still floating around the shop—from a simple French greeting and a kiss to my temple.

I’m no angel, and I’m not his, but for this week … I’m pretending.

I can’t wait to spoil you like you deserve. How does he see me? And how did he ever get me to start seeing myself through the same lens as the one he uses? Magic. He is magic.

I’m giddy over a dress in a box and the man who sent it.

I’ll only have these mementos of paper and fabric once February passes me by.

What is it about affection that changes the voice and the eyes?

“No, Cher. I am celebrating you. Only you.”

you are the one who has captured my attention. His loss is my gain. And I am glad he is not here to see how foolish he was to let such a treasure of a woman slip away.”

If I express too much, it will only make it harder on both of us when I leave.

What I wouldn’t give to bring Heather home with me.

I can’t imagine Heather will be single for long. She has lowered her walls. Now she is open to romance. Any man could step in and fill this spot where I am standing.

I don’t know where we will go, but I need to touch her and I need to move, to outrun the reality of our diminishing time together.

“We are the wisest people. Fools would ruin this perfect week with thoughts of what’s to come. We are wise enough to cherish what we have.”

If our lives were different, we would be together. I would be taking you on many more dates, and we would be deciding how serious this thing between us will become. But our lives are not those lives. We are two paths who converged in a beautiful clearing and soon will head in separate directions. Let’s enjoy this shared space while we are here. And when I see you again, even if you are in the arms of another man, I will smile, remembering what we have shared.”

I feel settled now that he’s here.

Our hearts will have to be content floating together somewhere over the ocean between our two homes.”

I am safely home, but my heart remains in North Carolina. Take good care of it, since it is yours.

“She is like a woman whose heart has flown away.”

too? I might be able to endure my own misery, but I can’t stomach the thought of hers.

You will live the life of a man divided.”

When we kissed for the first time, I could swear that I heard our souls whisper, ever so quietly, “Welcome home.”

I don’t think I’m the happily-ever-after type. Some of us just have to work harder at everything. And then we get a really good life, but it’s always a bit lumpy and precarious.”

France. I thought I had to love America more than France to move here. It turns out I only had to love you more. And I love you so much more.”