Moving In With The Enemy

Chapter 63 ~ "The Best Part"

Soon I hear the steps down to our door and the key turning in the lock. I smooth my hands over my dress as I watch him come inside. He's got his fancy black Patagonia winter coat on, backpack over his shoulder. He looks tired, he's been doing school all day and he's been texting me promising me he'll come to see me as soon as he's done since he left.

"Annie!" He calls and then promptly stops in the entryway, eyebrows pulling together.

"Hi." I nearly whisper, giving him a grin and his lips part.

He takes in the room, looking confused, but still happy. Like he was in disbelief.

"What'd you get up to this afternoon, huh?" He teases and I press my lips together, feeling my head getting dizzy. I love him when he looks like this, all college student.

"Nothing much." I tease and he chuckles, tossing his bag.

"C'mere sweetheart." He says and I watch a smile quirk up the corner of his mouth. I hurry over and he picks me up, giving me a quick spin.

"Happy Valentine's Day." I whisper with a quiet laugh, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"Happy Valentine's Day." He answers, looking pleased. He gives me a quick kiss and then sets me back on my feet. "You're gorgeous." He insists and I feel a giggle escape my throat. "I didn't know you had this planned."

"It was a spur-of-the-moment surprise." I shrug. "I hope that's okay."

"Sure baby, it's great." He shrugs. "I thought about bringing you to dinner-"

"Actually I thought.......I thought I could cook dinner." I answer, feeling my cheeks flush. "Or we could, you know, together. I got the stuff to make a pasta dish."

"Yeah, I'd like that." He nods with an easy smile. "Just.....what about Mark and Dus-"

"I already asked and they said the apartment's ours tonight." I whisper, putting my hands on his chest and he raises his eyebrows. "Now come on, take off your coat. It's my turn to be the romantic one."

He chuckles, unzipping it to reveal a black hoodie and I walk to the kitchen, opening the fridge to find the ingredients and parts for the dinner I had planned.

"One sec." He says, and I nod, watching him disappear to his room.

I set everything out in its proper steps and turn on our speaker, putting on an easy cute playlist for our evening.

"Okay, we can start." He says and I twist around, seeing him in a grey dress shirt and slacks. He sets a large box down on the table beside my gift to him and my lips part. "What? You're not the only one who knows how to dress up."

"Touché." I tease as he walks back around the island. He grabs my waist, pulling me towards him and I laugh, wrapping my arms around his neck. "My god you're hot." I whisper and he chuckles.

"That's my line." He whispers back, lips brushing mine and I smile. "Which you are, by the way."

"I tried." I shrug.

"Look baby, I'm so sorry I didn't do more to plan today, my day was busy and.....I didn't know what to do for you." He mumbles, shaking his head. "I know how you feel about this day and I've never had a Valentine's day before, I don't know how they work and-"

"Nothing felt right?" I ask quietly and he blinks, like that was exactly what he was planning to say next.

"Yeah." He admits and I smile.

"I didn't either." I shrug. "I had Abby help me think of something, so we can thank her." I tell him and he raises his eyebrows. "I know this is a big day for you school-wise, I also know you spent all weekend doing nice things and that my birthday's in six days, that's a bit much to expect." I remind him and he sighs. "You're here, I'm here and we're going to have fun. So start acting like it."