Page 68 of Choosing Us

Happy Valentine’s Day

That’s it, but maybe Aisha placed the order online and something got cut off. It reminds me of the time I ordered a birthday cake for Mason, and the form for the bakery messed up somehow, so his cake read Happy FBI Building. I smile at the memory and grab my phone to text Aisha before I call Ryan.

Me

Happy Valentine’s Day, sweet friend! I adore you and appreciate you so much! Thank you for making me smile today.

Aisha

Girl, I make you smile every day, what else is new? lol Happy Valentine’s Day, love you!

A bark of laughter escapes me at her response, and I pull up Ryan’s contact info. While I wait for him to pick up, I open the box of chocolates and select my favorite strawberry creme filled one, popping it in my mouth.

The taste explodes on my tongue, and an audible, “Mmmmmmm,” escapes me, just as Ryan answers.

“Hey, Lo. I don’t know what has you making that noise right now, but I’m feeling very inappropriate at the fundraiser.” Ryan’s voice becomes clearer as background noise fades away.

“Oh!” I laugh at the timing. “I’m sorry! Happy Valentine’s Day, Ryan.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Lo. How are you? Was your flight okay? Are you back at your condo?”

His rapid-fire questions make me smile. He doesn’t want to talk at me, this man wants to hear everything about my day, no matter how mundane.

“I’m good. I just received two beautiful bouquets and my favorite chocolates when I got back. The flight was uneventful, but that’s fine with me.”

“I’m not waiting until morning to see you, Lo. I just needed to know you landed and were home safe before I made my exit. I’m leaving here in fifteen minutes tops.”

I smile at the thought of getting to see him after all. “I probably should say just wait and come tomorrow, or I could come to you, but I know I’m too tired to drive, and I selfishly want to see you tonight.”

“Please be selfish, Lo. I love when you’re selfish, especially with me.”

“Okay, then I can’t wait to see you. You have the code for the garage parking, right?” I have two spots for my condo, but only ever needed one. Some of the other single tenants in my building have converted their spare space into secure temporary storage, but I’m so glad I never got around to that because now Ryan has a spot.

With me—because he’s coming to see me.

“I’ll be there as soon as I can. Start some tea, grab a shower if you need, just unwind a bit, and I’ll let you know when I’m coming up.”

“Thank you. I’ll see you soon.”

He hums in agreement as someone calls his name in the background. “Not soon enough, baby. I’ll let you know when I get out of here, but I’m coming for you, Lo.”

“I’ll be here waiting, Ryan. I’m not going anywhere.”

How could I? The man has overwhelmed my heart and quite possibly my soul. I’m not just his Valentine—I’m his, in every sense of the word.

And the best part? He’s mine.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

What a fucking day.

I couldn’t get out of that fundraiser fast enough. It feels like other executives are starting to tire of Calvin’s bullshit, but I think he has enough voting control of the board that it doesn’t really matter at this point.

He’s going to run Forrest Falls Hospital into the ground, but what do I know? I just run the numbers and need to stay in my lane, or so he told me directly tonight when I pushed back on him suggesting we needed to add another specialty to our services.

I just need to see my girl and forget everything else in this world.

Riding the elevator up to her floor, my shoulders lower a little, and my jaw relaxes knowing I’m close to her. This is what she does to me—she gives me peace even just being in the same area. Her presence calms my mind, and for someone whose mind is always running numbers and scenarios and risk factors, that’s saying a lot.