Page 142 of Candy Hearts, Vol. 2

CHAPTER 14

GARRISON

My computer chimed with another Teams message. I couldn’t be bothered to be annoyed by the overly active work group chats. I’d been damn near bubbly since Valentine’s Day over a week ago. I’d certainly never been this chipper on a Monday, but I’d spent all day yesterday with Lex, so I was on cloud nine.

I’d seen Lex three times since the wedding. Last Sunday, after Lex did some dog walking, then Tuesday, I joined him on some food deliveries and took him out for a late dinner afterward. On Saturday night, I left a spare key under my doormat so Lex could let himself in after his shift at the club. He’d smelled like a pine forest when he’d crawled into my bed, and in my half-awake state, I’d snuggled against him as close as I could get. I loved that soap.

We’d spent Sunday lounging around the house and getting to know each other through conversation—and each other’s bodies while fooling around. I was done worrying about falling for him too quickly. Thankfully, I could tell Lex was right there with me, which took the stress away. It never felt good if only one person was super into it, but that wasn’t the case with us. Whichever of us woke up first texted the other good morning.

My phone buzzed with a text, and I smiled.

Lex: Just parked, and I made you an incredible sandwich dripping with pickle juice.

Garrison: The only pickle I like is yours.

Lex: [pickle emoji] [water drops emoji]

I shook my head and laughed as I set the phone down and finished sending an email before Lex reached my office. My stomach fluttered in anticipation. I had to reread the email three times to make sure I didn’t have any typos. It was like I’d been transported back to high school, with the giddiness racing through my veins.

Minutes later, there was a knock at my door. I turned, and a wide smile spread across my face, matching Lex’s. So much had changed since the first time he’d stood in that spot. Instead of cosplaying as a giant broken heart, he wore slim-fitting black jeans, a flannel over a white T-shirt, and a denim jacket that set off the ensemble. He looked delicious.

Lex held up a paper bag. “Don’t worry. Not a pickle in sight.”

I pointedly stared at his groin. “Such a shame.”

Chuckling, Lex entered and sat in the guest chair beside my desk.

Lex glanced at me as he pulled our food from the bag. “You sure it’s okay I’m here?”

“Of course. I wish we had a better place to eat lunch, but we don’t really have a place to bring guests.”

“No worries. Your office works. Though you could jazz it up a bit. Framed degrees don’t count as decor.” He flashed a teasing smile.

“You sound like my coworker Martine. She’s been on me to bring in some personal effects for years.”

“Maybe there will be a cute picture of us from the wedding reception you could frame.” His eyes widened and he shoved his sandwich in his mouth as his cheeks flushed pink.

“That’s a great idea. I’m sure Ewan will let me know when the photos are in.”

Lex nodded as he chewed. I’d already been thinking the same thing.

“Thanks for swinging by for a late lunch. I’m starving.” I took a hearty bite of the Reuben he’d made. It was delicious. I couldn’t believe my luck in falling for a top-tier sandwich artist.

“It worked out perfectly. Busy day?”

I groaned. “So many meetings. Several more this afternoon. How was the sandwich shop?”

Before he could answer, there was a knock at the door.

“Garrison, I wanted to ask you about—” Martine paused when she noticed Lex. Her surprise faded as her mouth curved into a knowing grin. “Aren’t you the singing telegram guy?”

Martine glanced between us. She had a couple decades on me and was my closest friend at work, but I hadn’t told her about Lex. I think a part of me was afraid I’d jinx it.

“I am. I came back to torture him some more.”

“Oh, honey, you’re welcome to do that any time. That was the highlight of my year.”

I laughed. “Martine, this is my boyfriend, Lex.”

Lex’s eyebrows shot up as a wide grin spread across his face. He turned to Martine. “It’s great to meet you.”

“You too. You have a great singing voice. Do you do anniversary songs? My twentieth with my husband is next month.”

“I do. Garrison can give you my number.”

She smiled. “Great. I’ll leave you both to your lunch.”

When Lex turned back to me and took another bite of his sandwich, Martine mouthed, Call me later .

“Boyfriend, huh?”

I chuckled awkwardly. “Sorry, it just sort of came out.”

He reached over and squeezed my hand. “Don’t be sorry. I like it. Are there perks that come with this status upgrade?”

“Ones I can’t say in the workplace.” I waggled my eyebrows. “Also, you get garden consultation privileges.”

He tilted his head. “For the fairy garden?”

“I’ll be planning my spring and summer vegetables and annual flowers soon. Since you’re so passionate about it, I thought maybe you could share your ideas.”

Lex’s eyes grew wide, and then he hastily wrapped the rest of his sandwich and pulled out his phone. “Oh my god, you have to see this video I saved on TikTok. It’s a garden in Washington. Absolutely stunning. She made a really cool trellis for the climbing vegetables that would totally work in your yard.”

I leaned back in my chair, listening to him adorably ramble about his favorite gardens, feeling light and full of hope for the future—our future.

Maybe Valentine’s Day wasn’t so bad after all.