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I had avoided talking to Cass for the last few days because I just didn’t feel like hearing her tell me, “I told you so.” But, I guess there was no time like the present to get it all out there.

“No, Cass. He didn’t try anything. Actually, I haven’t been to the office in three days. I’m actually thinking about moving closer to home, too. I have an interview in Chicago on Monday,” I informed her.

“You what? What the hell happened, Brooke? And, why am I just now hearing about this?” she shot back.

“He’s still too busy with that blonde bimbo, Janine, from reception. I never told you, but I heard him tell her that he loved her when I came back after Christmas. Well, it was over the phone, but I know now that it was certainly her. In fact, I overheard her tell him she was pregnant earlier this week.”

“Shut up! That really sucks, Brookie, but you sound pretty bitter for the girl who told him on more than one occasion that she wasn’t interested,” she said with an arched brow. “I mean you know you could be getting laid right now, instead of talking to us about his pregnant girlfriend?”

“Mommy what does ‘getting laid’ mean?” I heard a little voice ask in the background.

“Oh, nothing honey … why don’t you go play in your room and let mommy talk to Aunt Brookie, OK?” Cass suggested to her daughter.

“Crap, I always forget she can understand me now. She’s probably going to repeat that to her grandmother. I swear she’s a little sponge,” Cass said, after Kaitlyn had scurried to her bedroom.

I shook my head and tried to muster a laugh before answering her previous question about Rich … “I knew the ‘I told you so’ was coming, I guess I just thought you’d be a little less harsh about it, Cass. You know that I tried to tell him I had changed my mind about us when I came back after Christmas. Remember, my grand idea for New Year’s Eve that exploded in my face? I know it’s my fault, but yeah, I guess I’m a little bitter. But, it’s time to dust myself off and move on. He clearly has – again.” I explained regretfully.

“Are you trying to convince me, or yourself?”

“Whatever, just let it go, will you? None of it matters anymore. I know I messed up, but there is no happily ever after for us. That shit just doesn’t exist in my world. I couldn’t let it.”

“Whatever, it will happen, Brooke. I just want you to be happy. I saw that sparkle in your eye when you came home from your interview. I hadn’t seen that same sparkle since Mom died maybe even be--.” Cassidy was cut off by the sound of my doorbell.

“Let me call you back. Someone is at the door. Probably just a pizza delivery man at the wrong unit, or something,” I said.

I quickly ended my call and sat my glass of wine on the coffee table before making my way to the front door. I checked the peephole to see what appeared to be a man holding at least two dozen, vibrant orange roses.

“What in the hell,” I said, to no one in particular, as I opened the door.

“Not quite the greeting I was looking for,” I heard the familiar husky voice answer behind the roses.

“Rich? Wh—What are you doing here?” I asked, perplexed.

“Don’t act so excited to see me. I’m here to bring you these. A little birdie told me that it was Valentine’s Day and that you were sick. I would’ve brought you some chicken noodle soup, too, but I had a feeling that you weren’t really all that sick,” he answered.

“Why aren’t you spending Valentine’s Day with your Valentine then, Rich. And, actually, I haven’t felt well the last few days, but you’re right – a broken heart can’t be cured with chicken noodle soup.”

“That’s what I’m trying to do here, sweetheart. I want to spend this day with my Valentine, that is, if you’ll finally let me in.” I sensed he meant much more than into just my apartment. “I have a feeling I can help mend that broken heart, too, but, once again, only if you’ll let me in,” he said with emphasis.

“But, what about Janine? How can you come here with roses for me when your girlfriend, who you love, is pregnant, Rich?” He was just making me mad now. I was mad for her and I was even more pissed for myself.

“What about Janine? We were never together, Brooke,” he insisted.

“What do you mean ‘What about Janine?’ I heard her Rich. She’s pregnant with your baby for fucks sake and you told HER that you loved her? I shouldn’t even be talking to you about this right now. You’re a bigger asshole than I thought you were even all those years ago.” I said, with more than a hint of bitterness in my voice.

“I never told her that I loved her. I may have flirted around her in your presence, but this is all a big misunderstanding. If you’ll let me, I’d like to explain.”

“Fine – I can’t wait to hear how you are going to try and weasel your way out of this one. I know what I’ve heard,” I shot back.

“Listen to me, Brooke. I don’t want Janine from reception. I don’t want Lyndsay from accounting. I don’t want Deb from production and I don’t want Allison from advertising. The only woman I want in my life is Brooke Christine Anderson from my past, present and future.”

I wanted this, just six weeks ago. I wanted to hear those words and he unknowingly broke my heart. But, now he’s going to be a father.

“But, Janine – she’s pregnant, Rich,” I yelled, as I pushed against his chest.

“Pregnant, yes, but her baby is not mine. We were never even together, Brooke. I sound like an asshole saying this, but I just used her and acted cozy at the office to make you jealous. Little did I know, she’s in a pretty serious relationship. When you overheard her telling me that she was pregnant, you just misunderstood. She was telling me because I’m her supervisor. I need to make arrangements for her maternity leave. She certainly wasn’t telling me because I’m the baby’s father.”

“But, when I came to your office before New Year’s, you were making plans for your ski trip together and you told her – you told her that you loved her.” I said, swallowing back the lump that had formed in my throat.

“Brooke, I went on that ski trip with my sister and her family. I was talking to my sister, Jennifer, that afternoon. I told my sister that I loved her. Don’t you see, Brooke, this is all just a big misunderstanding. When I overheard you the other day, scheduling an interview for another job – I just can’t take this anymore, Brooke. I can’t lose you – either as my employee, or my girl. I knew I had to come to you, I just needed to figure out the best way so that I wouldn’t scare you off even more than I already have – please understand,” Rich begged.

With that statement, Rich pushed twenty-four long-stemmed, orange roses into my chest.

“Why orange? Were they out of red, Rich?” I asked teasingly.

“Don’t get sassy, Brooke. Will you invite me inside? I have something else here for you with a letter inside that will explain it all.” Rich said with relief sounding in his voice.

With Rich standing in my doorway asking for my permission to let him enter my apartment, my life and my heart – I took him all in.

It looked like he hadn’t shaved in a few days and the sexiest stubble outlined his chiseled jaw line. I don’t ever remember seeing Rich with facial hair before, but goddamn was it ever sexy. He was still wearing his charcoal dress slacks and white, buttoned-down, dress shirt that I assumed he had worn to work that day. He had already unbuttoned the top two buttons. Holy Hell, what I wouldn’t do to see his rock-hard chest again.
Get a grip, Brooke. The last thing you need is to let Rich catch you drooling over him again. That will certainly send him the wrong idea. It is the wrong idea, right? FUCK, why do I keep questioning this?
I thought I had lost him, not only once, but twice. And, now this confession – what does it all mean?
Don’t overanalyze this
.
Just jump … I heard my dad’s advice resonate in my head.

I motioned for Rich to come in as I made my way to the kitchen to fill a vase with water for the roses.

“They are beautiful. Thank you, Rich,” I told him, as I breathed in the fresh, floral scent.

He slid a brown-colored box across the counter. It strangely resembled the care packages that I used to receive from my mom while in college.

The box was taped shut and had my address written with black Sharpie on the top. I grabbed a knife from the drawer and carefully cut through the tape. I gasped and put my hand over my mouth as I opened the lid. Inside were a bunch of jelly candy hearts, conversation hearts, playing cards, Valentine-themed socks, cherry flavored lip balm and a temporary tattoo that read “be mine.”

Also among the contents were three folded pieces of notebook paper.

Tears fell like raindrops from my eyes and down my cheeks, as I looked up into Rich’s piercing blue eyes which were also brimming with his own tears.

“You – you mean – you really did – you waited for me?” I stammered.

“I’ll always wait for you, Brooke.” Rich promised.

Without saying another word, I walked back into the kitchen and grabbed one of the orange roses I had just placed in a vase. I pushed a single orange rose into his chest and whispered through my tears, “Yes, I’ll give us a chance, Rich. I’ll quit running. And, I’m just as excited and passionate as you are at this very moment – about us. And, just for the record, I was ready to jump in six weeks ago, but … well, that’s a story for another day. Just kiss me now, Rich. Please just kiss me.” I begged, choking back the tears.

He just sighed and pulled me into his strong chest. I nuzzled into his neck as he breathed in the scent of my hair against his face.

“I love you, Brooke,” he said, as he placed light kisses on the top of my head. “I want to make love to you. I want to worship your body … every inch and every curve. I want us to be together body and soul.”

I pulled back slightly and looked Rich straight into his icy, blue eyes, noticing the corners of his mouth turn upward into that Hollywood smile that I adored.

“What’s that for?” I asked curiously.

“What?” Rich asked.

“That smile of yours.”

“I just saw it,” he said as he planted a butterfly kiss on the tip of my nose.

“Will you, please, tell me what you’re talking about?” I begged, as I nudged him in the chest.

“That spark, sweetheart. It’s back,” he replied with a chuckle.

“It’s because of you, Rich. You’ve reignited me. Now take me to bed and make love to me.” I pleaded.

“You don’t have to ask me twice.”

Rich picked me up and began showering my face and neck with soft, simple kisses. I could tell he wanted to take his time with me tonight. Unlike the other times which were filled with heated passion and need, he wanted to prove to me that he truly loved me.

A chill ran up my spine with just that thought. Rich carried me toward the bedroom as I squealed in his arms. He stopped in the hallway and pulled my sweatshirt over my head and dropped it on the floor in a heap.

“Holy fuck, Brooke. I didn’t know you were naked under that thing. You need to give a guy some warning. I might fuck you right here in this hallway.” Suddenly, Rich’s mouth came crushing down to suck on my already hardened nipple. I whimpered as Rich carried me the rest of the way into the bedroom where he sat me down on my silk sheets.