Unknown Suitor: The Holidates Series, Book 25 by Shayna Astor

Author:Shayna Astor [Astor, Shayna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-12-02T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Valerie

Lincoln has been a good sport all night. I’m really impressed, considering we didn’t meet under normal circumstances, and he has no skin in this game. He doesn’t like me, doesn’t even really know me, yet he’s here and sticking it out, even having been interrogated by nearly every member of my family.

And he has such a positive attitude about it all, keeping me laughing and smiling, even though at times I want to crawl beneath my own skin.

But now the questioning is done, and he and I can spend some actual time together, getting to know each other, because I really do want to know him.

Why? I couldn’t tell you. But it goes beyond just wanting to know the man I brought to Gram’s house.

Yet somehow, I feel like I do know him. We shared a lot in the car, some heavy things and some not as much. Going through the loss of your parents is something that brings you closer to a person, even if unintentionally. You’ve both joined a secret club. You never know who’s a part of it until you find out that they are, in fact, a card-carrying member.

It’s not a club I’d wish anybody to be a part of if I had my way.

“I’m glad everybody was kind. But now we seem to have some time together. Want to chat?”

“Of course.” He leans against the table with his butt, which I’ve taken a peek at a few times, and it’s quite nice, and crosses his arms. “I’m an open book. Ask me anything.”

“When’s your birthday?” That seems like a silly question, and I regret asking it immediately. But I work with kids, and to them, that’s one of the most important things to know about a person.

Yet his face stretches into a warm smile, and I find myself giving one in return. “July seventeenth. How about yours?”

“September nineteenth.” It’s usually shortly after school starts, and the kids love to sing me happy birthday every year. Jennifer always makes sure that they know when it is so they can be prepared.

“Is Christmas your favorite holiday? I mean, you have all your family around.” He extends his hand in the direction of the living room.

“To an extent, yes. But I really love the Fourth of July. I know that sounds silly, but the fireworks just get me every time. When I was a kid, they always seemed so magical, and my parents loved taking me to see the shows. We went to as many local ones as we could. And…I don’t know, I guess they still hold some of that magic for me.” It sounds silly and childish. Maybe I’m really a kid trapped in an adult body, and that’s why I enjoy working with kids so much. They’re like my peers versus my students, at least in my heart.

“I get it. There’s a lot of wonder to them. They’re beautiful at the same time so you get a show too. Makes sense to me.” He’s the first person who doesn’t laugh when I explain it like that.

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