Secret Admirer

by Ally Hayes

  I went right home and made a quick dinner, anticipating Garrett’s reply. While waiting, I went through my closet searching for the perfect outfit for our date the next night. As seven turned into eight with no word, or photos, I became worried. What if he had to go out of town again, or simply didn’t want to meet me? Had I scared him off with the last candy hearts’ message? I read it over and over to see if it could’ve been misconstrued, but didn’t see any harm. Still, I worried.

  I resisted texting Garrett to see if everything was all right. I realized the question might seem weird, though I felt even weirder about not hearing from him. We’d been texting daily for over a week, and I assumed we had a thing going. I had trouble falling asleep and left my phone on and next to me on my other pillow. The tell-tale ping sounded at twelve-oh-one.

  Garrett—Happy Valentine’s Day Andressa! Can’t wait to see you tonight

  The message put my nerves at ease, but the photo of the two candy hearts which followed allowed my mind to drift off happily, if not giddy.

  Sweet Dreams/XOXO

  Chapter Nine

  Not since I was a kid and anticipating heart-shaped pancakes had I awoken so excited for Valentine’s Day. More importantly, Meet-Garrett Day. I resisted wearing a red or pink sweater, I knew my limits, but did dress up a bit.

  I ran into Connor, literally, at the Fresh Start and was happy for choosing a dress. I bumped him on my way to get a lid and thankfully neither of our coffees spilled. “Oops, I’m sorry.” The words gushed quickly from a combination of nervous energy and embarrassment.

  He reached down to pick up the item that dislodged from his hands during the collision and said, “No, no my fault.”

  The dropped item was familiar looking. And while I tried not to stare, I confirmed the bag did indeed contain large candy hearts.

  As he tucked the candy back into his messenger bag, he caught my smirk. “What?” he asked and narrowed his gaze.

  “Nothing.” I replied, but my smile betrayed me.

  Connor held up the bag. “The candy? Not what you think, they’re for a project. Sort of.”

  “Okay,” I said teasingly while walking toward the service station. “I’m not judging.”

  He followed right behind me. “What about you? You’re all dressed up. Do you have a valentine?”

  I weighed my words and turned to face him again. “I’m not sure exactly.”

  “Uh huh,” he said.

  I detected a note of doubt in his voice. “Well, I might. I guess that depends how tonight goes.”

  “In that case, good luck.” He coffee-cup saluted me.

  “You too, with your project that is.”

  We both laughed politely and left at the same time. I sped off to work still in a happy mood. This frame of mind and the sun shining brightly served me well to deal with Bree’s nerves. She was a wreck all day, despite promising me she hadn’t said anything to Alec. Her assurances were so out of character for her I couldn’t help but feel suspicious. Part of me hoped he would do it that night sparing me another round of future speculations.

  Almost everyone in the office took advantage of the lunch-at-your-desk-leave-early offer. Some left carrying flowers and teddy bears which were delivered to the office. I left with nothing but best wishes from Bree and Clare. As we were walking out, Clare carried a vase of flowers so I asked if they were from her boyfriend.

  “They are, but they’re more of a consolation prize. I told him on Wednesday not to bother coming for the weekend. I’ve had enough.”

  “Wow.” I stopped walking and faced Clare. “Are you okay with your decision?”

  She stopped too and switched the large vase to the crook of her other arm. “Absolutely. I’m following your lead, making a fresh start. I’m going to the party tonight in full force, no regrets. I want to have fun, let loose. If I find someone I like, I don’t want to have to say I’m kind of seeing someone. I’m sick of our lame relationship holding me back from meeting Mr. Right.”

  “Good for you. I’m sure he’s out there for you somewhere. Have fun, even if your Mr. Right isn’t there tonight.”

  Despite my empty hands, I was still hopeful. My mood soared back to the morning’s level as I walked to my car and heard the distinctive text alert chime I’d assigned to Garrett’s contact the previous day.

  Garrett—This isn’t easy, but I’ll give it another shot

  A series of photos of the large candy hearts followed.

  It’s True/U R Cool/Why Not/Be Mine/For Real/C U Soon/Secret Admirer

  I wanted to wait to reply, but I couldn’t resist acknowledging his efforts.

  Me—I’m flattered. That must have been a lot of work

  Garrett—I did nothing else all day

  Me—I’m heading home now

  Garrett—K, see you @ 7

  Me—will you be holding a rose?

  Garrett—of course, a chocolate one in foil—JK!

  Me—thank God.

  Garrett—don’t worry I’ll find u

  Me—☺

  I don’t know how I concentrated on the road, but I returned home in time to jump in the shower and rip apart my closet. After flat-ironing my hair and applying a little more than my usual make-up, I sat on my bed in my robe amongst all the cast-off outfits. Reality set in. Sure, I’d made a great connection with Garrett. Was I nuts though for going on essentially a blind date?

  My gut said doing so was okay because he was a friend of my other new friends, but I wondered if I should’ve been more assertive with Connor. At least with Connor, I’d seen him and felt an undeniable physical attraction. He seemed like a non-serial killer kind of guy. Then again, who really knew? A sickening feeling churned my stomach. What if Garrett wasn’t good looking? I know it’s petty, but at that point, I was in deep self-doubt and panic mode.

  At six-thirty, I was still not dressed and about fifty percent sure I would back out. But how could I? I could be honest and say I was too nervous and suggest we both go to the anti-Valentine’s Day Party and meet there, but I’d probably blow any chance. Or maybe he’d see me as a rational person. I was confusing myself further.

  If I bailed, I would have to promise myself to make a move with Connor. I couldn’t lose both guys after all this. Both guys I really didn’t know. I couldn’t win by fighting with myself. There was only one thing to do—tell Bree. Maybe if I confided that I was really meeting Garrett, I could learn a little more about him which would either encourage or discourage me. Then I could make an informed decision. I felt so good about this move that I wondered why I hadn’t told her earlier. I dialed as nerves shook my fingers.

  “Oh my God, are you so psyched to go out with him tonight?” she answered in an excited voice.

  “Of course, but I have something to tell you, well ask you, about him first.”

  “What would I know? If you need a kick in the ass to get out the door, remember nothing ventured nothing gained. How about you text me a series of xxx’s if you need rescuing? I’ll be there with excuses galore and whisk you away.”

  “Perfect, thanks so much.” This was good. I felt better knowing I had an out, but was about ready to tell her I was meeting Garrett, not Connor.

  “It’s almost seven!” she shrieked. “We both have to go, but text me a thumbs-up emoji at eight anyway to let me know everything is okay.”

  “Thanks, that’s a good plan. Have fun tonight, good luck.”

  “You too!”

  Though the call didn’t go as planned, I really did feel better, but was now panicking about the time. Throwing on a gray knit dress and tights I then arranged a colorful—but still not pink or red—scarf around my neck and surprisingly got the arrangement right on the first attempt. I grabbed my coat and headed for the door before I could chicken out.

  After entering the address of the wine bar into my GPS, I arrived in six minutes and only four minutes late. I walked in right behind another couple and followed them through the revolving doors to the hostess statio
n beside a long oak bar. They gave their name, and I couldn’t help but look around the dark room. Even with the sparse mood lighting, I saw him. My pulse raced. Not him, but Connor, sitting alone at a high pub table.

  Our gazes locked as our mouths both dropped. Instinctively, I walked toward him.

  He slid off his chair and met me halfway.

  “What are you doing here?” I blurted.

  “I was thinking the same thing when you walked in, but then I realized—it’s you.”

  “Yes, I’m Andi.” I held out my hand to shake his. “I guess we’ve never introduced ourselves.”

  Laughing, he took my outstretched hand into both of his. “No, Andressa, it’s me, Garrett.”

  I struggled to comprehend what he was saying, and the fact he was holding my hand. The new information was all very confusing and exhilarating at the same time. “But how? You’re Connor.” I forced my wrinkled brow upward.

  He laughed harder. “Garrett Connor. Connor is my last name.”

  Now it was my turn to laugh and before I could say anything, we were hugging. His arms around me felt natural. Garrett was Connor! My brain screamed. I smiled so hard my cheeks hurt, and normally I would’ve been embarrassed. When I stepped back from his embrace to face him, I was relieved to see he was beaming too.

  My hand still in his, he led me to the table.

  Our waitress came over immediately. “So, I see you two found each other.”

  We cracked up, and then Garrett asked, “Is there any way we could snag one of those private booths instead? We have a crazy story to share.”

  The waitress lifted an eyebrow then shrugged and led us to the other side of the bar where it was quieter. She asked what we’d like to drink.

  “I believe Champagne is in order tonight,” Garrett announced in a false-snooty voice.

  Once alone again, we both started talking at the same time.

  “This is too incredible.”

  “No one will believe this.”

  “Just think, if we’d been going to the coffee shop across the street where they write your names on the cups, we would’ve known each other right away,” Garrett said.

  “Or not. Aren’t they famous for getting them all wrong? That situation could’ve been a total disaster.” Laughing with him, I finally felt at ease. “Anyway, I liked that you didn’t go there. I like our coffee shop.”

  I said “our” as if we already had a relationship and worried he’d think I was being too assertive.

  But he burst out, “Me too!” putting the last of my worries away for the night. Talking with him felt so comfortable, but we both shook our heads a lot and muttered, “Oh my God,” when we were at a loss for words.

  When the Champagne was poured, Garret asked me to wait a minute while he fumbled with his coat pocket. Out came a bag of giant candy hearts.

  I recognized the bag right away from the morning and laughed at the bizarre twist of events again.

  He searched until he found what he was looking for and then dropped a heart into my glass then one into his, causing both flutes to fizzle.

  “What did they say?”

  He handed me my glass. “Secret Admirer, of course.”

  We toasted coffee shops, candy hearts, tricky lids, and missed opportunities. We drained the first glass rather quickly as we filled in all the missing pieces for each other. After draining the bottle, we ordered a cheese tray. My head was already swimming from sensory overload and my stomach a sea of butterflies. Garrett held my hand across the table a few times, and I released my leg from its previous crossed position to rest against his. I was so relieved.

  “I’m jealous you at least thought you knew my name when you’d see me in the coffee shop.” He grinned. “I could only refer to you in my head as Cute New Girl.”

  Heat rushed to my chest and my cheeks flushed. “No way!” I wasn’t ready to reveal his nickname, but knew we’d laugh about it in the future.

  The mood was broken only momentarily when my phone went berserk. I grabbed the forgotten device from my bag and panicked when I saw the time was almost nine.

  Bree—??????

  Me—opps! !

  Bree—K, hang on

  I filled in Garrett on Bree’s concern and her order to hang on.

  He nodded.

  I knew he’d understand I had to await Bree’s reply, so I left the phone face up on the table. A split-second later it buzzed with a photo of Bree flashing an enormous engagement ring.

  Garrett and I both cheered, and I sent her multiple emojis.

  “Should we send a selfie and blow her mind even more?”

  I thought about her possible reaction. I knew she’d be thrilled, but there was no need to overshadow her night. “She’s been waiting for this, so let’s let her have tonight. We can send her one in the morning.”

  A grin spread across Garrett’s face as he leaned over the table.

  I met him halfway, and we kissed. An in-a-bar public kind of kiss, but a kiss nonetheless. A kiss I wished could’ve lasted forever. The gesture ended sweetly and left me wanting more. A perfect first kiss.

  Garrett sat back in his chair wearing a smug look.

  I caught my breath he’d taken away. “What now?”

  “I was thinking about you having Bree as your back-up and how that wouldn’t have worked. We were both nervous about meeting tonight. I thought about suggesting we go to the Anti-Valentine’s Day party if things weren’t going well. Now we know that wouldn’t have worked either. Thankfully neither of us needed saving.”

  “Or a need to be anti-Valentine’s Day. I’m a fan of the holiday now.”

  He smirked. “Andressa, are you saying you’ll be my valentine?”

  “Yes, but does this mean you’re no longer my secret admirer? Or was I yours? I’m lost.”

  He shook his head. “Nothing is secret anymore. In fact, we fulfilled a bunch of the candy heart sayings, not just this one.” He dumped the remainder of the bag on the table, and we pulled out all the ones which now applied.

  One Kiss, Hugs & Kisses, Charm Me, Meet Me, Pls Say Yes, Good Time, Good 4 Me

  “Let’s keep the Secret Admirers to stockpile,” he suggested.

  “Why stock up?”

  “So we’ll have enough to celebrate every year on Valentine’s Day.”

  With warmth building in my chest, I initiated the second kiss.

  ☺

  A word about the author…

  As the mother of three girls, Ally finds creating drama for her characters an escape from the real drama in her own home. Originally from Boston, she now lives with her husband and family outside Chicago and writes when not driving to practices and games.

  Also by the author

  and available at The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  Reality Re-Do

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  this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.