Chapter 15
Ipacedbackandforth outside of Club Meryton, fumbling with the box in my pocket. Valentine’s decorations adorned even the exterior of the club. Strings of soft pink fairy lights draped from the awning, pulsing softly like a heartbeat. Paper hearts—some glittery, some lace-cut, some oversized and gaudy on purpose—fluttered in the faint winter breeze. A pair of neon-red cupids perched above the entrance, their bowstrings glowing and permanently drawn.
“You said she’s on her way?” I asked Charles, who leaned against the building watching my nervous strides.
He nodded. “Jane and her sisters are bringing her. Jane said she should be here any minute.”
The butterflies that had attacked my stomach only grew. “What if she says no?”
“That’s always a possibility.”
I groaned. “You’re horrible at reassurance.”
“Relax, Darcy. Jane told her that you broke off your engagement with Rosalie, so that’s no longer a barrier. Besides,the whole town can see you both have feelings for each other. Why do you think everyone has been trying so hard to get you together? Chances are she won’t say no.” A huge grin came to his face, and he nodded down the street. “There she is.”
I spun to spot Lizzy and her four sisters walking toward the club. She wore a deep blue wrap dress that hit above the knee and black ankle boots with a low heel. Her hair fell around her in soft waves, slightly tousled. A crossbody bag hung at her hips, with a notebook sticking out—ever the reporter, ready for anything.
For a second, I stood tongue-tied. I didn’t have words to speak. She was beautiful.
Lizzy’s step faltered when she saw me, her eyes growing wide. But she didn’t speak until we were close. “I’m happy you came.”
I cleared my throat and shook myself out of my daze. “You are?”
“Of course. I know I’ve said some pretty extreme things in the past. But I don’t hate you.”
‘Don’t hate’ was a far cry from love. Perhaps I’d jumped the gun after all.
“Lizzy—”
“All right! Let’s get started!” Lydia pulled a glowing string from her pocket. She tied one end around Lizzy’s wrist and then the other end to mine. She smiled at both of us. “It’s magic. If you accept what’s on the cards, your string will grow tighter, as will your bond.”
“Lydia, take this off,” Lizzy demanded. She faced me. “I’m so sorry. My family is out of control.”
“Actually, this one was me,” I said.
Lizzy’s jaw dropped, and she didn’t seem to know what to say.
“Okay, have fun, you two!” Kitty took Lizzy’s arm and pushed her through the entrance.
“And don’t forget to hand him the cards, Lizzy!” Jane called as the door slammed shut behind both of us.
Club Meryton had been more than decked out for Valentine’s Day. Hearts floated and danced within the moving lights. Pink and red chocolate hearts lay on the tables as a treat, no doubt each kind having their own unique magical effect.
But the club itself was empty. The celebration had been moved to a different venue.
“I thought this was a party,” Lizzy said.
“This party is only for you and me,” I said, watching her for any signs of discomfort. But there was only curiosity etched on her face as she surveyed her surroundings.
Hanging above us was a sign with glowing scrawled writing: “The Times I Fell for You.”
Lizzy turned and looked at me. I leaned forward and grabbed the first valentine taped to the wall beneath the sign. “This is for you.”
Lizzy took it and opened the envelope. Inside was a heart valentine that had my words written on the back. “When I saw your eyes under the carnival lights, fierce and determined, as the Ferris wheel turned, I realized how easily I could fall for you,” she read. Her breath caught for an instant before she looked up at me. “I’m supposed to give this to you?”
“Only if you accept it.”
Lizzy watched me for a long moment. Long enough for me to wonder if I’d made an embarrassing mistake in doing this. But then she reached out and handed me the valentine. A small smile came to my lips as relief slipped through me. I took it, and our line drew together a little tighter.
