Her Valentine Hero

He’d known about her breakup with Erik. Rainie and she had talked about it, and he’d overheard some of their conversations, but Neely had been the one to end it so why did it still hold a sting? Her attitude turned him upside down. It didn’t quite make sense. To him real love meant he would have a whole world in front of him to be with the woman he loved. “You two were a thing back in high school.”

“I know. We broke up just before he left for college.”

Her comment seemed an afterthought, yet he struggled with her strained expression. “Sorry, Neely. I knew you weren’t together because I knew you hadn’t married him. But I didn’t know you had bad feelings.”

She shook her head. “I need to get over it.” She averted her eyes and kicked at a stone on the sidewalk. “Where is this restaurant, anyway?”

“Right up ahead.” He pointed to the purple-and-green-striped awning a block away. “It’s called Pronto.” He slipped his hand to her shoulder, wanting to ease her edginess. “Can we forget my earlier reference and cheer up?”

She tilted her head toward him. “I am cheery, but I’m not happy to hear Erik’s coming to the party. Why was he invited?”

“He’s a friend of Ty’s.”

She drew up her shoulders. “I’ll just steer clear of him. I’m not in the mood for auld lang syne.” Her lips curved to a faint grin. “You know what I mean?”

He agreed, but he really didn’t know what she meant unless her reference hinted at Erik’s problem. Cheating on his wife had ended Erik’s marriage. Maybe it ended Neely’s relationship with him, too.

They walked the rest of the way in silence, and he was grateful when they’d reached the restaurant. He opened the door, wishing he could start their visit again. “How about over there?” He motioned to the empty table.

She nodded and followed his direction without comment, and once seated, she studied the menu while he studied her. Being with Neely seemed like a dream. Years ago he’d been Rainie’s brother. Today he’d become an equal. At least an equal in his mind. “Does having dinner with me seem strange?” He lowered his menu to the table.

Her head jerked upward as color tinted her face. “You must have read my mind.”

He wished he could. “No, but I’m a good guesser.”

A grin flickered on her lips. “I’m trying to acclimate myself to the situation. If it weren’t for your gorgeous eyes, I’d think you were an imposter.”

Her resolute gaze nearly caused his undoing. “I hope that’s a compliment.”

“It is.” She turned her attention to the menu.

Aware that he’d reaped a compliment from Steely Neely sent his pulse racing. But then reality brought it to a halt. A compliment was only that. He wanted so much more. “Rainie said you’re home to stay.”

She inched her head upward as if in thought. “Not sure about the ‘to stay’ part, but right now I’m home without other plans. I was laid off from Zigman’s, and with the economy so bad, I read the writing on the wall. The layoff would be permanent.”

“You didn’t read the writing well enough, I’m afraid.” He hated being the bearer of bad news, but she needed to know.

She tilted her head as if puzzled.

“Michigan’s economy is rotten, too.”

“I know. It’s the pits.” Her face shadowed. “It doesn’t matter, I guess. I really came back for Dad and my sister. It’s been tough for Ashley.”

Those feelings were ones he understood. “Losing a husband with a newborn baby is something I can’t even wrap my mind around.” Neely’s expression deepened his sadness.

“Jonny.” She gave his arm a pat. “Thanks for caring.”

Her hand didn’t move, and the warmth radiated to his chest. He looked into her eyes, wishing he could resolve her problems for her.

Something seemed to distract her, and she sat a moment in silence. Finally her face brightened. “Enough about me. Tell me about you.”

“What do you want to know?”

“I don’t remember your being involved in sports. What made you go into coaching?”

He picked up on her evasion. Talking about him got her off the hook. “Remember what you said. You were older than I was so you probably wouldn’t have known what I enjoyed.” He twisted the knife a bit. He could play the age game, too.

“I’m not that old.” She arched a brow.

He arched his back. “And I’m not that young.”

Her face broke into a full smile. “You got me.” She rested her cheek on her fist and studied him.

“And I remember a lot of things about you...even at my very young age.” He gave the knife another playful thrust.

She didn’t flinch. “Go on. You’ve captured my interest. What do you remember?” She leaned closer and grasped his hand. “This is fun, Jonny.”

Fun for her, but serious for him. He wasn’t that boy any longer, not by a long shot. He was a man—a football coach with respect from his team and the community—not an irritating kid. And he wanted her to know it. “How about calling me Jon?”

She drew back, releasing his hand. “Jon? That sounds weird.” She shook her head. “I’ll work on it. That’s all I can promise.”

Wishing he hadn’t jumped at her, he managed a smile. “That’s good enough.” He grasped the menu, and raked his eyes over the choices, needing time to get his thoughts together.

The tension faded from her face. “No matter what I call you, you’ll always be Jonny to me.” She rested her hand on his again. “And no more digs.”

Relief. He nodded, but his attention had shot to the touch of her hand. Heat from her fingers swam up his arm and into his chest. “Sounds good to me.”

Her gaze drifted to the tabletop a moment as a fresh frown sneaked to her lips.

“Neely?”

Her head jerked up, and it took a minute for her eyes to clear. “One more question, and I even hate to ask it.”

His pulse skipped as he waited.

She looked away. “This is about Erik.”

He figured.

“I’d feel better knowing he’s married. He is, isn’t he?”

Jon’s chest constricted, but the truth needed to be heard. “He was married but not anymore. Erik’s divorced.”

Her frown deepened. “Divorced?”

He nodded, and slipped his hand from beneath hers to grasp the menu. “We’d better order. I have some errands to run tonight.” He could have told her the truth about Erik, but he avoided anything that reeked of gossip, and he saw in her eyes she wanted details.

Neely glanced at her watch before she perused the menu, though her questioning gaze flashed toward him more than once.