My Phony Valentine (Holidays with Hart, #1)

by Courtney Walsh

And food brings people together in a way that other things can’t. With food, cultures are transcended, walls are broken down, heartfelt stories are seasoned and salted.

There’s a reason that the kitchen is called “the heart of the home.” It’s where love is blended.

“You think she’s pretty?” “Yes, she’s beautif. . .” he blurts that out, and abruptly stops, caught.

It’s not the kind of smile that would alert the paparazzi, but it’s the kind of smile that a person could hold onto. The kind that could make, say, a man in a tough spot hope that things could turn around again. Like an anchor. A safe space to land.

People don’t always let us become who we are. They try to keep us in the box of who we were. We’re all on our way to becoming someone new, aren’t we?

“I actually think you’re kind of adorable.”

That’s the danger of wanting to be loved—you start to see possibilities everywhere. Even where there are none.

Some things are true, regardless of who you are. Saying something kind and from the heart is never a bad idea, and it’s never the wrong thing to do.’”

“I didn’t see you coming, Poppy. You took me by surprise.”

And tonight, just like every other night lately, I found myself missing you.”

“On the couch when we fall asleep. When I hug you when you’re hurting. When you protect me from the world.” I look up at him. “We fit.”

“You,” he says simply. “You are all I want.”

Poppy, Had a few things to take care of in the city. I’ll meet you at the dance. I’ll be the one staring at you like a lovesick puppy. —Dallas

“Everyone gets hurt,” she says. “Until they heal. And then it’s time to try again.”

“Haven’t you ever been that crazy over someone? That you were willing to make a complete fool of yourself?”

“I’m scared of what tomorrow is going to feel like if you’re not there. I’m scared of going another day without telling you how I really feel.”

“I think it’s important to do everything we can for the people we love.”