Love, Chocolate, and Beer (Cactus Creek #1)(68)

I’ve never wanted to prove a woman more wrong in my life.



So from today, I will. I plan on showing Dani what a romantic she truly is by having her closet romantic meet my inner romantic, who now has new life again because of her. And according to him, I should start at the beginning by giving Dani every one of the seventeen Valentine’s Day memories she missed out on growing up, and allow myself to experience the holiday anew in the process.



I can’t wait.



Now in addition to that, I’d also like to get some help from all of you. From what I hear, it’s no secret that over the years, Dani has inspired more than just me in lessons of love. So, my request is this: if you have a special story of love starring Dani or her brewpub, please send it to Ocotillos via a Valentine’s card so she can be reminded of just how much she and her business have touched all of you. I know your valentines will mean as much as any I could ever give her.



With that request, I sign off on this Valentine’s Day eve with this final concession. Though I still think chocolate reigns supreme over beer any day (hehe), I do defeat to Dani, not just by town tally, but because—unique though her methods may be—she has clearly proven herself far more of a romantic.



For now. But just wait, honey...I’ll catch up.



Happy Valentine’s Day, all.

Luke



*



DANI STARED at her laptop screen. No freakin’ way. Luke did not just go and make that outrageously romantic declaration on his web page.

Oh yes he did. The blog tags showed tons of replies already, all in huge support of both his concession and this romantic crusade of his. Some folks posted suggestions for his seventeen Valentine’s Day re-do’s while most just gushed their congrats for the ‘happy couple’.

The happy couple. That’s what she and Luke were being called. When she clicked over to her twitter feed, she felt her jaw drop. Holy Hefeweizen. Tweets were pouring in by the second. It was unbelievable.

Why the heck are so many folks online now instead of on their Valentine dates?!

True, it was after midnight but still, she never thought quite this many people cared about the throwdown. As she spent some time reading through the posts and tweets, however, she realized the majority wasn’t about the brewpub’s victory over Desert Confections, but rather, in giddy response to the news of her and Luke being in a fairytale relationship.

“I think people like us.” Luke came up behind her and leaned against her doorframe to her office, looking very much like her very own personal Prince Charming come to life.

“I can’t believe you did that,” she whispered as she made her way over to him.

“What? Give you the win on a silver platter? I mean, how else was beer going to beat chocolate in—” Amused as the devil, he caught her hand before it socked him in the belly.

Cradling her in close, he said softly, “I did it for all the reasons I wrote,” before slanting his mouth on hers in a deep, drugging kiss.

When he let her come up for air, she slowly opened her eyes. Then she shook her head to clear it of lovey-dovey cobwebs. “Wait, stop. Luke...I have to tell you something.”

He gave her a suspicious once-over. “You have that look like you want to talk business.”

She winced. “I do...sort of.”

“Then I don’t want to hear it. No business talks today.”

“But—”

He kissed her again. Still holding her in his arms, he nibbled distracting kisses along her jaw. “Stop focusing on work. If you haven’t noticed, I did a pretty romantic thing tonight.”

She ducked her head down and smiled. “I noticed.”

He sighed. “But you’re still stuck on this my voting for you, throwdown concession thing aren’t you?”

She hesitated, but couldn’t stop herself. “I don’t want any of this to affect your shop in a bad way,” she exclaimed, concerned. The man was certifiable. Romantic, but crazy. This couldn’t possibly be good for his business. “Luke”—she placed both hands on his chest to keep him at least an arm’s length away—“you basically undermined your entire Valentine’s Day and White Chocolate Day campaign by admitting you prefer the original solo day Valentine traditions. Because of me.”

“I know,” he said with pride.

Dani was seriously torn between frowning and swooning. “I love what you did and what you’re planning for me...” She forged past the flipping of her heart at the reminder. “But shouldn’t we be thinking damage control? A backup plan to save White Chocolate Day at least?” Her eyebrows stitched together. “Would you stop with that panty-melting smile?! I’m being serious.”

“God, you’re incredible.” His eyes searched hers tenderly, his expression almost disbelieving. “Damage control is to fix mistakes. This wasn’t a mistake.” His tone was firm, unyielding. “I meant everything I wrote, consequences for my life’s work be damned.”

If it were possible, she just fell in love with him even more.

He stroked her cheek gently. “Everything will be fine, sweetheart.”

Dani looked away, hidden guilt an arrow through her heart. “What if you’re wrong?”