All Chapters of The Valiant Trilogy: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

I can barely see over the top of the flowers and I lean over, hiding myself behind them as I rip open the envelope and pull out the card.Two business card sized pieces of paper come free. The top is white and plain with a simple note that reads:"Knock him dead and if he asks these are from your new secret admirer.—Ashley"I smile thinking of the wonderful friend who would do something like this. It means more they came from Ashley than any man. I flip the card over and the one behind has hearts decorating the sides, the note written in a hasty handwriting not matching Ashley's elegant font."It was a wonderful getting to know you.—Daniel"I tuck Ashley's card into my purse and display the Daniel message in the bouquet, but then I immediately take it out and place it on my desk.Hmmm.Displaying his private message would be too obvious. It's better if my new admirer has sent a message as a private communication between the two of us. I didn't wake up this morning plannin

"Ashley it's been three days, and he hasn't come crawling back asking for forgiveness. At this point it's safe to say he's not planning on a grand gesture." Or any gesture at all. My best friend met me at the door to our apartment eager to find out what it happened at work.My report is lackluster at best. Just like the last two days when she'd done the same.It broke my heart to tell her once again nothing happened. I open the fridge door and find a half-eaten sub from four days ago. Eww. It isn't even worth unwrapping. The smell would kick me in the teeth if I tried. I grab the rotten food and spin, tossing it in the trashcan where it lands beside an empty bottle wine.Ashley tips her head into the kitchen. "Are you sure you're reading his body language the right way?"I grab the empty wine bottle from the trashcan and hold it up to her. "If you're going to continue to finish bottles of wine, at least recycle them." Although I didn't remember leaving a bottle half-empty.As

Ashley links her arms with Charlie and walks a few steps ahead, leaving me and my blind date to follow along. The two of them sway along looking like they have practice. I'll have questions for my roommate when we make it home later tonight."Hi," I start the conversation off awkwardly. It's pretty much what I'm best at honestly."Hey, so you're Mackenzie. Charlie says Ashley has talked a lot about you.""Really?"He laughs. "No. Charlie forced me to come tonight if I'm being completely honest with you."I laugh. "It's basically the same with me." At least we started out with the truth.We pass under a streetlight getting closer to the club and I give him a quick glance. Derek's not bad looking. His hair's cut short on the sides and longer on top in the popular style. His button-up shirt is untucked and too large for him. It hangs everywhere.He's cute. You will find this man attractive, or else, I threaten my heart.I will it to be true, for me to find him hot. At an e

He doesn't call out to stop me or explain himself. I want nothing more than to turn back and see if he watches me leave, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction in case he does. With my head held high, I make it to the end of the hallway and then slip back into the crowd, working my way to our table. I pass Ashley and Charlie on the dance floor and point toward our place to let them know where I'm headed.A few feet away from his roommate, Derek grinds against a woman. Her blonde hair is up in a high pony tail and her miniskirt barely covers her butt. Good for him. Derek makes eye contact and his eyes widen for a second as if I've caught him doing something bad. To ease his worry, I flash him a thumbs up and keep walking.I knew I shouldn't have come out tonight. I'd rather be home watching crap TV with Ben and Jerry.A few men bump against me and beer splashes from one of their glasses. It hits my wonderful boot right on the top, discoloring the leather. I slip on past them an

It's wrong, but I miss him, and even though my head says I need to stay away, my heart can't bear the thought. I want him with everything I have. I need him.His fingers score across my body, pushing my shirt high enough I raise my hands and let him pull it over my shoulders and past my head. I've missed this man and my heart soars being in his arms. He touches me and it's as if no time has passed, but also I've gone a lifetime without him. Vincent squeezes my breast, flipping my bra up and resting his head against my chest."Missed you so much, Mackenzie. I tried to stay away and let you leave me, but I can't. It's too late. Whatever your problem is, we'll work through it."I jerk away, infuriated he doesn't even remember what the problem is. His WIFE. In doing so, my hand hits the door knob and it rattles, reminding me where we are. I peek out looking through the window to the empty hallway."V, the window. What if someone sees?""Roman will keep the hallway clear.""What