Perhaps the simplest of Valentine’s traditions is the quiet romantic dinner for two, and that’s exactly what Eli and Claudia decided to do. Only Eli didn’t have time to make a reservation, and Claudia forgot to.
Eli huffs. “Let’s just drive around. Someplace has to have a table.”
Claudia hopes it’s someplace with a really good steak, since that’s the quickest way to cure Eli’s grumps.
~ ~ ~
As is becoming custom, Sophie has to work on the holiday. Yes, even though it’s a Saturday. But since Diego is the copywriter for this particular project, they decide on a more casual work session. He arrives at her apartment wearing a loose cotton shirt and bearing a bottle of champagne. She grins and lets him in.
After dinner — which they cook together — they settle down in her living room to work. Diego smiles at the way she plays with her hair while she thinks, and Sophie shakes her head at his habit of chewing pens.
“I like those, you know.”
He gives her a confused look.
“The expensive writing utensils you’re ruining? They’re mine, and I like them. If you’re hungry, there are plenty of leftovers,” she teases.
“Oh.” He glances at the mangled pen. “Sorry.”
“You better be.”
He grins. Then he puts the pen right back in his mouth and gnaws with exaggerated vigor.
“Hey!” Sophie launches herself at him. Laughing wildly, they wrestle with each other. For the pen, of course.
Suddenly the doorbell rings. Chest heaving for air, Diego asks, “Expecting someone?”
Similarly out of breath, Sophie frowns. “No. Although my neighbor mentioned wanting to borrow my tennis racket…” She rises and goes to the door.
When she opens it, she is assaulted by a giant pink heart-shaped balloon. “Ow!” She pushes the balloon away from her face and sees that it’s anchored by a vase of roses. She turns back inside. “Oh, Diego! This wasn’t necessary.”
He says, “I agree. It’s not from me,” at the same time someone outside says, “You’re not alone?”
Sophie freezes. A hand reaches out and pulls back the heart-shaped balloon. X steps into view.
“Happy Valentine’s Day,” he says glumly.
~ ~ ~
MJ stares at her computer screen in disbelief. Both Ben and Sam have messaged her to ask if she’d like to have dinner on Valentine’s Day. Then Felix messaged to ask if she needed saving from Ben and/or Sam. Then Dr. Storm messaged to say he couldn’t locate her lab report and needed it to review and grade over the weekend.
How romantic, MJ thinks.
Thankfully she has answers for all of them. To Ben and Sam: Sorry, already committed to dinner with the girls! To Felix: Thanks, but I’m okay. I purposely made plans with the girls. ;P To Dr. Storm: If it’s not in my cubby, I may have accidentally left it in the drawer at my work station. Sorry…
She debates whether or not to wish him a happy Valentine’s Day, then chastises herself for even wondering.
Just as she is putting on her coat, her computer dings with another message: Not in the drawers. Help!
With a sigh, she phones her friends to say she’ll meet them at the pub, and then she dashes over to the lab to find her report. To her surprise, all the lights are on when she arrives. They’d have to be, if Dr. Storm is here searching, dummy!
“Found it.”
She turns around to see Dr. Storm waving her lab report in his hand.
“Sorry you came all this way. I just messaged you.”
“It’s okay,” she says. “It’s on the way to the pub anyway.”
“Oh, meeting someone? Felix, maybe?”
She laughs. “Goodness, no. Felix and I are just friends. I’m having dinner with some girlfriends. Sort of an anti-Valentine’s celebration, I suppose.”
“Ah,” he says. “I’ll be having one of those myself.”
MJ looks confused. “Your girlfriend’s out of town?”
He smiles wanly. “I don’t have a girlfriend anymore.”
“Oh.” Suddenly MJ feels too warm. “I’m… sorry.” And she is. She desperately wishes she hadn’t mentioned any plans!
Dr. Storm smiles. “Eh, I’ll be alright.” He winks. “I’ve got you to keep me company, remember?” He taps the lab report.
She nearly chokes.
“Well, you have fun. I’ll see you Monday.”
She nods and smiles and quickly leaves.
~ ~ ~
After being turned away from five of their favorite restaurants, Eli and Claudia give up and go to Burger Zone.
“It’s no filet mignon,” Eli says with his mouth half-full of food, “but this is still some tasty beef.”
Claudia laughs. “Good.” She’s less enthusiastic about her own chicken sandwich, but she knows this is at least partly her fault.
Eli notices her picking at the fries. He finishes chewing and takes her hand. “Hey.”
“Hmm?”
“The truth is, I don’t care where we eat, on Valentine’s Day or any other. As long as I get to spend time with you, I’m happy.”
Claudia can’t believe Eli, the notorious stoic, has just uttered those words to her. In public. In a room full of noisy children and greasy tabletops, no less.
“Hey, no crying into the ketchup! It’s watery enough already,” he protests.
But they both smile.
~ ~ ~
When MJ gets back to her room, there’s a card leaning against the door. She opens it.
Dear MJ,
You’re a wonderful girl, and tonight I realized I’d be a fool not to tell you.
Happy Valentine’s Day
She turns it over, searching for a name. There is none.
