All I Want Series Boxset, Books 1-3: All I Want for Christmas, All I Want for Valentine's, All I Want for Spring (31 page)

Holly spluttered. “Only I can’t work out if you’re posing with the plant as if you’re in a gardening magazine, or in some fetish magazine where it’s all tits and tulips as far as the eye can see.”

Tori exhaled and rolled her eyes. “It’s lost on you,” she said, pointing back towards the plant. “But look — it’s February 7th and I’d say Petula is looking magazine-ready, wouldn’t you?” She’d kept her side of the bargain, but she still wasn’t sure Holly was going to keep hers.

Her girlfriend nodded slowly. “I have to concede, you’ve proved me wrong. I fully expected the plant to be drooping by week two, but even with vomit-gate, you’ve been at its beck and call.”

“It’s not an ‘it’, it’s a her,” Tori said, giving Holly a mock scowl and covering the leaves with her hands. “Don’t listen, Petula!” she added. “Should we take a picture and post it on Facebook?”

Holly shook her head. “Why don’t you save the Facebook posts for pictures of the new kitten you’ll be getting on Valentine’s Day?”

Tori’s jaw hung open, before she walked over to Holly, who was lying out on the sofa. “You serious?”

Holly smiled, shrugging her shoulders at Tori. “You kept the plant alive and you also managed to keep a toddler alive too, so I’d say you more than won the bet. You smashed it out of the park.” Holly paused. “So you shall go to the ball, Cinderella.”

Tori kissed Holly on the lips before responding. “Does that make you my fairy godmother?”

“I can be whatever you want — I’m adaptable like that,” Holly replied.

A shiver shot down Tori’s body in response, and a blush hit her cheeks. She styled it out. “Admit it, though,” she said to Holly, pointing towards her chest with her index finger. “I’m the child
and
plant whisperer. And now we can get a kitten and really live the lesbian dream.”

Holly laughed. “You might have to turn vegetarian too, and maybe learn how to do DIY as well.”

Tori baulked at the thought — she recalled a time when she’d wallpapered her room when she was a teenager. When she’d woken up the following day, it was all hanging off the walls. Ever since then, Tori had been a firm believer in working to your strengths, and getting someone in to do the job otherwise.

“I’ll stick with living our version of the lesbian dream, thanks,” she said.

Holly bent her legs in front of her and rested her chin on her knees.

She was too cute — Tori leaned over and kissed her.

Surprise registered on Holly’s face. “What was that for?”

Tori shrugged. “Just for being you and being insanely attractive.”

“If you find me attractive now, I have another piece of news that might tip you over the edge.”

She had Tori’s attention now. “What?” She jigged her thigh muscles in excitement.

“A friend of a friend at work just had a litter of kittens, and she’s giving them away. We can go over next Saturday and pick the one we want, just in time for Valentine’s Day.” Holly put an elbow on the back of the sofa, not taking her eyes off Tori.

“Wait, you’ve got a kitten already lined up?”

Holly nodded.

“I could kiss you right now!” Tori said, excitement bubbling all around her body.

Holly glanced to her left, then to her right, before looking back at Tori. “I don’t see anybody stopping you.”

CHAPTER 13

February: Week Two

Valentine’s Day, and Holly was waiting for Tori at the cafe nearest the tube: they were picking up their kitten in half an hour from a man named, appropriately enough, Tom. Holly had been at work all morning, even though it was a Saturday: she better get a good bonus next month, because she’d worked her butt off for the last twelve. She always had in previous years, and then maybe she could finally treat herself and Tori to a weekend away, the one they’d been wanting to plan since New Year.

Holly was nursing a coffee, trying to ignore the smell of fried food which she was sure would cling to her clothes and hair for the rest of the day. She wrinkled her nose, but it didn’t help. Radio One was blaring out of a tinny radio on the counter, and every other table was full.

On the street, harassed men and women were clutching bunches of flowers for their loved one, some even had balloons and teddy bears. Holly was pretty sure Tori wouldn’t turn up with anything so obvious, but just in case, she’d been practicing her ‘thrilled’ face. Although if she was given a teddy bear with ‘I’m Yours’ on the front in a love heart, it was going to be a struggle.

It’s not that Holly wasn’t a romantic — she was, absolutely — she just didn’t buy into the commercialism as much as Tori. Then again, that wasn’t difficult: Tori’s parents had ruined her, showering each other with cards and gifts on every conceivable occasion. Holly was sure occasions like Valentine’s Day and Christmas were especially hard for Tori’s mum, but she always said she had her memories to treasure. Nevertheless, Tori had still sent her mum a card, as she’d done every year since her dad died. Tori didn’t always like it shared around, but she had a heart of gold.

Holly was planning on cooking a tapas menu at home later, with some Spanish Rioja to wash it down — she wanted to make their first Valentine’s one to remember, the first of many she hoped.

But first, it was kitten o’clock.

The door to the cafe opened and the bell rang. Holly looked up and smiled at her girlfriend, who walked in carrying a grey plastic cat carrier. It was empty now, but soon it would be filled with their new furry friend.

“Hello gorgeous,” Tori said, giving Holly a kiss on the lips. “Happy Valentine’s Day,” she said, before sitting down opposite her. “I’m surprised you’re in here — it smells like a chip pan.” Now it was Tori’s turn to wrinkle her nose.

“I know, but my options were limited.” Holly paused, making sure she had Tori’s attention. “And Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too.” She peered under the table. “Where’s my bunch of flowers and stuffed toy?”

“It’s being delivered later by a kissogram, so act surprised,” Tori said, not missing a beat. Then she checked her watch. “Time for a coffee — you want another latte?”

Holly smiled. “This isn’t a latte — it’s a white coffee. They do black or white, take your pick.”

Tori laughed. “How retro. White it is.”

Holly watched Tori order at the counter, her slim frame perfectly offset by her new green coat. It really suited her. A wave of affection washed over Holly as Tori walked back with her drink, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“I’m so excited,” Tori said, sitting back down. “I’ve been thinking about it all the way over here. You think the kitten is as excited as us?”

“Bound to be. Considering he has no idea who the hell we are.”

“Maybe he’s a psychic cat.”

“Cool, we might make our millions with him, just like Grumpy Cat.”

Tori smiled and sipped her coffee, but then a cloud passed over her face. Something was troubling her.

“What’s wrong?” Holly asked, sitting up, tilting her head to one side.

Tori shook her head. “Nothing, nothing’s wrong.” She paused. “It’s just… it’s a big thing, getting a kitten. I haven’t had a cat since Monty died just weeks after Dad. Mum and I couldn’t face getting another, getting attached again.” She cast her gaze down, then back up again. “But this is the start of a new chapter — getting a cat with you. Mum said she can’t wait to come round and meet it, and I know Dad will be looking down, too.”

Holly nodded, squeezing Tori’s hand tight. “I’m sure he’ll be watching over our new kitten, making sure it stays out of mischief.”

Tori smiled. “I hope so,” she said. “I still miss him so much, especially on days like today.”

Holly kissed her hand. “I know you do.”

Tori took a sip of her coffee before continuing. “And I was thinking about the name on the way over, too,” she said. “How about Valentine?” She eyed Holly nervously. “He’s the nearest we’ll get to a love child right now, and we’ll always remember the day we got him. What do you reckon?”

A warmth spread through Holly as she nodded, grinning like a Cheshire cat. “It’s perfect — really perfect.” She gripped Tori’s hand and they both stared at each other, lost in the moment. Holly had forgotten that Monty died right after Tori’s dad, so this was even more of a significant moment. She was determined to make it as memorable as possible, and naming the kitten Valentine was the start. It sounded kinda grand, like Valentine would one day grow up and have his own show at Caesars, Las Vegas.

Another customer walked in and the bell jangled, making Holly jump.

She and Tori shared a conspiratorial look, then finished up their drinks.

Ten minutes later, they stood up, shrugging on coats, smiles stuck to their faces. 

“Shall we go and get our Valentine, then?” Tori asked, opening the door for Holly.

Holly planted a quick kiss on her lips as she passed. “Let’s go get our show cat,” she replied.

***

They brought the kitten home and played with it all afternoon, the little ginger bundle leaping all around their flat, getting acquainted with his new home. Valentine’s Day was turning out to be a feline love-in so far, with all their attention lavished on their new arrival. Tori had not only bought a pet carrier, but she’d also borrowed a crate and furnished it with a bed and litter tray, so the kitten would be safe at night during his first few weeks. But on his first afternoon, Valentine had been free to wander and explore his new digs, and so far he seemed impressed.

“Rioja or Malbec?” Holly asked, holding up two bottles of wine for Tori to peruse.

“Both?” Tori replied. She was sitting in front of the sofa on their new grey rug, bouncing a toy mouse hanging on a string in front of Valentine. Every time she did, the kitten jumped for it. Like children, kittens were endlessly amused by the same trick over and over again.

“Good point,” Holly said, opening the Rioja so it could breath before dinner. As well as the tapas, Holly had bought some indulgent fruit tarts from a French bakery for dessert.

“So how do you feel on night one of living the lesbian dream?” Tori asked, glancing up at Holly.

Holly smiled as she chopped potatoes with her favourite sharp knife. “I’d say it’s going pretty well so far, no complaints from over here.” She opened the overhead cupboard nearest her and reached for some herbs, selecting smoked paprika and chilli flakes — her potatoes were going to have a kick.

“You planning on dropping any herbs on the floor tonight?” Tori asked, a faint smile playing around her lips.

That made Holly break into a wide grin. That had been the occasion of their first kiss — Tori had tried to cook and had spilt herbs all over the kitchen floor. When Holly helped to clean up, their first kiss had happened.

Holly turned her head. “It could be arranged, if you want to get down and dirty on the kitchen floor again.” She gave Tori a wink.

“Maybe let’s wait till after dinner,” Tori said. “I’m starving.”

“Charming,” Holly replied. “Two months in and already you’d rather taste my cooking than me?”

Tori let out a bark of laughter. “On the contrary, two months in and I still want both.” Then Tori pushed herself to her feet and strolled over to the kitchen, putting an arm around Holly. “But now, with extra insight, I know which order they should go in. Then I’ll have all the stamina I’ll need for you later.” She reached up for a kiss.

A blush rose in Holly’s cheeks, the heat of Tori’s words hitting her body. “Are you getting all butch on me?” she asked.

Tori laughed. “Thought I’d give it a go. How did I do?”

Holly gulped as she felt a rush between her legs. “Just fine,” she said.

Understatement of the year.

***

“Gotta say, that was delicious. You’re going to have to teach me how to cook, you know.”

“And lose my super-power?” Holly said, raising one eyebrow. “If you learn, you might not be so amazed by my skills.”

Tori laughed — there was little chance of that. “Your skills have always amazed me,” she said. “But I’m learning new ones every day that are even better than your cooking, and I never thought I’d say that.” She paused, staring at Holly. “Truth be told, I never thought I’d be sitting here sharing a Valentine meal with you. If you’d told me this is where we’d be this time last year, I’d have laughed in your face. And that would have been a crying shame. Plus, you bought me a card and present too.
You
— the Valentine hater.”

Holly’s mouth formed an ‘O’. “I do not hate Valentine’s,” she replied. “Take that back!”

“Do too,” Tori countered.

Holly shook her head. “Not true. I may have been known to bad mouth it in the past, but it’s all change now I’m with you. Especially when I get presents too — who doesn’t like that?” Holly paused. “Plus, I know what you’re like with Valentine’s. If I hadn’t got you something, I’d have never heard the end of it.”

Tori had to laugh at that. “True enough,” she said. “But never fear — chocolates, a weekend away
and
a card with glitter puts you right up there.” Tori demonstrated just how far up Holly was in her esteem by raising her hand high. Then she took a sip of the Rioja — it was delicious and she rolled it around her mouth, soaking up the taste of berries and vanilla. “I’ve never been bought a weekend away before, so you’re the winner.”

Holly smiled at that. “Remember last year, me going on a date with that woman from Lloyds?” Holly shuddered. “That was a disaster and a half.”

“Didn’t you go to Nando’s?” Tori asked, leaning back in her chair and scratching her ear. It’d been itching all day — somebody was clearly talking about her.

Holly nodded again. “And I have nothing against Nando’s, but it’s not really a Valentine’s place, is it? And she just kept talking about her ex, and about how tall I was.” She shook her head. “I’m glad to be off the dating scene.”

Tori snorted. “I think I did enough dating in December to last me a lifetime.”

“You think?” Holly replied, sarcasm rippling through her tone.