Rosie

Valentine’s Day sneaked up on me before I even realized what date it was and suddenly the café was decorated with cheap pink streamers and plastic hearts hanging from the ceiling, full of couples whispering across tables and holding hands and looking at each other like they were the only two people in the world.

I felt awkward the entire shift, uncomfortable in my own skin while I served heart-shaped cookies and red velvet lattes to people who had someone special. I’d never celebrated Valentine’s Day before, never received flowers or chocolates or love notes, never been someone’s special person, never been chosen like that.

I kept reminding myself that Jude barely knew what day it was anyway because he was sweet yes but he was busy and focused and in intense training mode. So I didn’t expect anything, told myself not to hope for something that wouldn’t happen because that’s how you get hurt.

Expectation and hope hurt like hell.

Jude had mentioned yesterday that his coach had given him extra drills because he’d ditched practice last week and he didn’t think he’d be available today to walk me home which had made me more dejected than I wanted to admit. I’d gotten used to our little walks, the brushing of hands, and the serene silence, and the way he’d gaze at me when he thought I wasn’t paying attention.

But it was fine, I told myself while wiping down tables and trying not to watch the happy couples around me. It was just another day.

I didn’t even know what people see on Valentine’s Day! Why should a day be specific for Lover’s Day? Every day is supposed to be celebrated for lovers, not just a day... I didn’t want to be bitter but these couples here were an eyesore. Shoving their relationship in my face.

I was behind the counter making someone’s disgustingly sweet strawberry latte when Maya called me from the back. “Rosie! Take your break, I’ll cover!”

I nodded and untied my apron, grateful for the escape from all the Valentine’s Day cheer that was starting to make my chest ache. I stepped out from behind the counter and froze completely because Jude was standing at the entrance of the café holding the softest pink bouquet I’d ever seen.

My heart skipped once, twice.

He looked nervous, actually genuinely nervous in a way I’d never seen him before. His cheeks were flushed and his hair was messy like he’d been running his hands through it and he was still wearing his hockey jersey with his team number seventeen on it, it was like he’d come straight from practice. He was clutching the flowers tightly as his eyes scanned the café.

His eyes found mine across the café and his face lit up with this soft smile that made my throat tighten and my eyes burn with unexpected tears.

He was here. I didn’t think he’d actually show up when he said...

He stepped forward through the crowd and offered the flowers to me with a smile so gentle it made my heart stutter. “These are for you,” he said softly and his voice was quiet and nervous and hopeful all at once.

I was completely speechless, just standing there staring at the bouquet like an idiot. I reached out and touched the soft petals, overwhelmed because no one had ever given me something so thoughtful, so romantic, so beautiful.

“Jude,” I whispered and my voice came out choked. “You didn’t have to—”

“I wanted to,” he interrupted gently and the way he was looking at me made my knees weak. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Rosie.”

I took the flowers with shaking hands and held them against my chest, blinking back tears because this was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for me. Jude was watching me with an expression that bordered on awe.

“I thought you had extra practice,” I managed and he smiled sheepishly.

“I may have finished early and told the coach I had somewhere important to be,” he admitted while rubbing the back of his neck. “He wasn’t thrilled but I didn’t care.”

Behind me, I heard Maya make this squealing sound and when I turned around she was grinning at us like Christmas had come early, practically vibrating with excitement. “Take the rest of the day off!” she announced loudly. “Both of you, get out of here!”

“Maya—” I started but she was already pushing me toward the door.

“Go! Be young and in love on Valentine’s Day, I’ll cover your shift!” she insisted and I felt my face burning at the “in love” part but Jude was already taking my hand and pulling me gently toward the exit.

We walked through the snowy streets together and I clutched my flowers in one hand while Jude kept brushing my other hand with his, nervous and excited and trying to act casual but failing completely. Each time our fingers touched I felt sparks shoot up my arm and my heart would skip and I wondered if he felt it too, this electric pull between us.

“Where are we going?” I asked while my breath came out in visible puffs in the cold air.

“You’ll see,” he said with this secretive smile that made my stomach flip.

He led me through town and up a small hill that overlooked the frozen lake and the sky was getting darker, the sun setting in shades of pink and orange that made everything look magical. We reached the top and Jude stopped, turning to face me with this nervous energy radiating off him.

“Jude, what—” I started but then fireworks burst over the sky and I gasped, stepping closer to him instinctively.

Bright colors flooded the night air, reds and golds and blues exploding above us and reflecting off the frozen lake below, and it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. The town must have organized a Valentine’s Day fireworks display and Jude had timed it perfectly, bringing me here to see it. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

“How did you know—” I breathed but I couldn’t finish the sentence because I was too overwhelmed, too full of emotion to speak.

Jude turned to me and his eyes were shining in the reflection of the fireworks, amber catching gold and making him look almost ethereal. He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his warm fingers lingering on my cheek.

“Can I kiss you?” he asked quietly and his voice was rough and nervous and hopeful.

My breath caught in my throat and I nodded because I couldn’t find words, couldn’t do anything but stare at him and nod and hope he understood how much I wanted this, wanted him. I wanted his lips on mine, I wanted to feel him.

Jude cupped my cheek with one warm hand and leaned down slowly, giving me time to pull away but I didn’t. I tilted my face up to meet him and our lips touched softly, cautiously, gently, almost as if we were both scared this would break if we weren’t careful.

He tasted like mint and something uniquely him and I melted into him completely, gripping his jacket with my free hand to steady myself because my knees were weak and my head was spinning. Jude kissed me again, deeper this time, his other hand coming to rest on my waist and pulling me closer. His breath was warm against my lips and I felt something ignite between us, something that felt bigger than just attraction, something that felt inevitable and right and terrifying all at once.

I didn’t know what this pull was, this overwhelming need to be closer to him, but I gave into it completely and kissed him back with everything I had.

Jude made this low sound in his chest, that rumbling purr I’d heard before but louder now, and he kissed me harder like he couldn’t help himself. His hand tightened on my waist and I could feel heat radiating off him even in the winter cold, I could feel his heart pounding against my chest where we were pressed together.

Then he pulled back suddenly and I whimpered at the loss, my lips swollen and my breath coming in gasps. Jude was breathing hard too, his eyes darker than I’d ever seen them and his jaw clenched tight, his eyes flashed like he was fighting something.

“I’m sorry, I just—” he started but his voice came out strangled. “I need to—”

“It’s okay,” I whispered even though I didn’t want him to stop, and wanted him to keep kissing me forever.

Jude leaned his forehead against mine and we just stood there breathing each other’s air while fireworks continued to explode above us, painting the sky in brilliant colors. His thumb stroked my cheek gently and I could feel him trembling, could feel the restraint it was taking him to hold back from whatever he wanted to do.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Rosie,” he whispered and his voice was so soft and warm it made my stomach flutter.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Jude,” I whispered back and smiled even though I was dizzy and breathless and clinging to his jacket like he was the only thing keeping me upright.

For the first time in months, maybe in years, I felt chosen. I felt wanted. I felt like I mattered to someone, like I was special and worth the effort and deserving of soft pink flowers and perfectly timed fireworks and kisses that made the world disappear.

Jude pulled back just enough to look at me and the way he was looking at me, like I was everything, like I was precious and perfect and his, made me want to cry and laugh and kiss him all over again.

“We should get you home,” he said reluctantly. “It’s getting cold.”

But he didn’t move and neither did I, both of us standing on that hill under the fireworks, neither wanting this perfect moment to end.

***

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