Be My Valentine by Debbie Macomber

that’s—”
    â€œLow and mean,” he finished, scowling more fiercely. “All right, if you don’t want to involve Jason and Jill, then just the two of us will go.”
    â€œI already said no.”
    â€œWhy?”
    Her shoulders trembled slightly as she smeared the moisture across her cheek. “I’m divorced.” She said it as if it had been a well-kept secret and no one but her mother and children were aware of it.
    â€œSo?” He was still scowling.
    â€œI have children.”
    â€œI know that, too. You’re not making a lot of sense, Dianne.”
    â€œIt’s not that—exactly. You can date any woman you want.”
    â€œI want to date you. ”
    â€œNo!” She was trembling from the inside out. She tried to compose herself, but it was hopeless with Steve standing so close, looking as though he was going to reach for her and kiss her again.
    When she was reasonably sure she wouldn’t crumble under the force of her fascination with him, she looked him in the eye. “I’m flattered, really I am, but it wouldn’t work.”
    â€œYou don’t know that.”
    â€œBut I do, I do. We’re not even in the same league, you and I, and this whole thing has got completely out of hand.” She stood a little straighter, as though the extra inch in height would help. “The deal was I pay you to escort me to the Valentine’s dinner—but then I had to go and complicate matters by suggesting you look smitten with me and you did such a good job of it that you’ve convinced yourself you’re attracted to me and you aren’t. You couldn’t be.”
    â€œBecause you’re divorced and have two children,” he repeated incredulously.
    â€œYou’re forgetting my manipulative mother.”
    Steve clenched his fists at his sides. “I haven’t forgotten her. In fact, I’m grateful to her.”
    Dianne narrowed her eyes. “Now I know you can’t be serious.”
    â€œYour mother’s a real kick, and your kids are great, and in case you’re completely blind, I think you’re pretty wonderful yourself.”
    Dianne fumbled with the pearls at her neck, twisting the strand between her fingers. The man who stood before her was every woman’s dream, but she didn’t know what was right anymore. She knew only one thing. After the way he’d humiliated her this evening, after the way he’d let her actually pay him to take her to the Valentine’s dinner, make a total fool of herself, there was no chance she could see him again.
    â€œI don’t think so,” she said stiffly. “Goodbye, Steve.”
    â€œYou really mean it, don’t you?”
    She was already halfway to the front door. “Yes.”
    â€œAll right. Fine,” he said, slicing the air with his hands. “If this is the way you want it, then fine, just fine.” With that he stormed off to his car.
    Â 
    Dianne knew her family would give her all kinds of flack. The minute she walked in the door, Jason and Jill barraged her with questions about the dinner. Dianne was as vague as possible and walked upstairs to her room, pleading exhaustion. There must have been something in her eyes that convinced her mother and children to leave her alone, because no one disturbed her again that night.
    She awoke early the next morning, feeling more than a little out of sorts. Jason was already up, eating a huge bowl of cornflakes at the kitchen table.
    â€œWell,” he said, when Dianne walked into the kitchen, “when are you going to see Steve again?”
    â€œUh, I don’t know.” She put on a pot of coffee, doing her best to shove every thought of her dinner companion from her mind. And not succeeding.
    â€œHe wants to go out on another date with you, doesn’t he?”
    â€œUh, I’m not sure.”
    â€œYou’re not sure?” Jason asked. “How come? I saw