Operation Meet Cute (Operation HEA, #1)

by K.M. Neuhold

Every frustrating, impractical thing about him from his tight jeans to his over-styled hair have found a way to become my favorite things about him over the years. He’s ridiculous and endearing, a bit shallow but sexy as hell, unaware of his own absurdity and yet somehow in on the joke all at once. I can still remember the exact moment I fell in love with him four years ago, and I haven’t managed to shake his hooks out of me since. Too bad he doesn’t see me as his leading man.

Two years ago, I made a comment about how I wish I could find a man to write poetry about me. Teddy decided it would be hilarious to start leaving terrible poetry all over my apartment, often shoved into my pockets. How or when he hides them is a mystery to me. He must leave work early some days to do it. I unfold the paper and read the hasty scrawl. Roses are red, Violets are blue, Your pants are way too tight. But you already know that, don’t you?

I’m not sure why I care, except that Teddy is basically the most amazing man on the entire planet and deserves more happiness than this world even has to offer.

“You’ve spent the last decade of your life fixated on the idea of finding your leading man, and somehow you don’t recognize him when he whips his dick out for you? How is that possible, darling?”

Is it normal for a person’s heart to feel so heavy and so light at the same time? Or is that just how it feels when you’re in love with someone who’s completely oblivious to it?

“Hey, at least my plan worked,” he muses as I use alcohol wipes to clean off the cut and then some gauze to dry it off. “What plan was that?” I ask, smoothing the Band-Aid down. “Getting hurt so a handsome man would save me.” The playful lilt in his voice tugs at everything inside me, unraveling and loosening things that shouldn’t be unraveled or loosened when I know he doesn’t really mean it. “Sorry it wasn’t the right handsome man,” I say wryly, looking up and offering him a crooked half-smile.

Because you saved me today, and you’re not the wrong guy. I don’t say that. I can’t believe I even thought it. Teddy’s not the wrong guy, he’s just…it wouldn’t work.

Okay, I’m starting to wonder if I even knew my own damn type before this moment because I’m on the verge of building a shrine to these thighs.

“Georgia isn’t home. It’s just where I grew up.” “LA is home?” he asks skeptically, arching an eyebrow at me. I scoff. “No. This is home.” I gesture vaguely, a funny jolt going through me when I realize what I’m saying. Teddy goes still, pausing in his attempt to get all the cards neatly stacked and looking at me. “This couch with a belly full of pancakes and way too much coffee,” I joke to ease the moment, and he sags a little, a crooked smile forming on his lips as he returns his attention to the cards.

I should be taken? I already am taken. I just haven’t gotten around to telling Harlow about it. I’m pretty sure relationships based entirely on one person’s detailed fantasies and a couple of steamy blowjobs are very in right now.

I’m fooling myself to think I can get things into perspective with Harlow. I’ve been in love with him for too long to not have my heart broken by whatever this is. I don’t care. If heartbreak is the price I have to pay to kiss him a few more times, then so be it.

“So, there was only one room available for this week. And apparently the Great and Powerful Keanu Reeves in the sky is a fanfic reader because, wouldn’t you know it, there’s only one bed.”

As soon as Harlow’s gone, Marnie gives me another one of those speculative once-overs. “So, how long have you been in love with him?”

There are things on the tip of my tongue that I want to say to him, but when I open my mouth, all I manage is, “Night, Teddy Bear.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Night, Low.” Maybe I’ll be braver tomorrow.

“Don’t throw away an amazing opportunity just to be someone’s backup plan.”

It’s hitting me now that no matter how hard I love Low, I can only keep loving him if he lets me.

Love is taking the leap and trusting him to catch you.

“Stay here in LA, let me take you on a date…let me make you fall in love with me.” He tightens his fingers around mine. “Low…” He shakes his head, and I brace for him to tell me no. Instead, a slow smile spreads over his lips. “I already am.” My breath catches. “You…?” “Four years ago,” he says matter of factly.

“Right. Denver Theodore Mullins.” “Oh my fucking god. That is such a leading man’s name.”

Your perfect leading man was never real, so he could never break your heart. But I won’t either, Low.” There’s so much intensity in his eyes that my heart aches.

“I mean, they always end before the real happily ever after. I thought both characters declaring their love was the best part, the happily ever after, but it’s not. Dinner parties, skinny dipping, fighting over the sheets in bed, and waking up next to you every morning…this is what forever is really made of.”

“You showed me what love really means. You helped me go deeper than all the shallow things I wrote before. You opened up my heart and taught me that real love isn’t something to be afraid of. You make me better, and I’m so glad you were patient enough to let me figure all that out.”