Library closed and back home ready for my solo valentine's evening. James Bond box set ✅ Takeaway pizza ✅ Espresso Martini ✅ Big box of Maltesers ✅ Have a wonderful day/night whatever your plans may be. AH ❤️

@NewBookGuyAdam Knocks on his door, single rose in hand, and apologetic smile on my face.

@FancyNotClassy Hello there. You're here? And you look wonderful. Won't you come in?

@NewBookGuyAdam "If you don't mind. I got caught up in work all day and missed my special VIP Valentine's so..." Offers the rose as retribution and steps inside. "I hope you don't mind me stopping in unannounced?"

@FancyNotClassy Taking the road with a smile and stepping aside to allow you in. "I don't mind at all. Thank you for coming. A delayed Valentine's Day is better than none at all."

@NewBookGuyAdam "That's what I was hoping you'd say. I know we did not speak for very long, but I thought perhaps we could get to know one another better tonight." The air smelled of pizza and my mouth drooled. "And maybe share dinner together?"

@FancyNotClassy "We spoke for long enough to feel that spark though. I have enough pizza for two and you're welcome to come and stay over if you want, seen as it's late."

@NewBookGuyAdam "Asking a lady to stay over? Mmm, presumptuous of you, Mr. Hampshire." My eyes were glinting, showing him I was teasing as I looked around his home. "Does that pizza come with wine as well? It truly is the best combination."

@FancyNotClassy "Yes extremely presumptuous but I am feeling in somewhat of a bold mood." His response came with a knowing smile as he led her through to the lounge 'It absolutely does. Red, white or rosé?"

@NewBookGuyAdam "Bold, and cocky. You should know I am not that type of woman." Most of the time. But I wasn't going to say that to him, in case the night did, or did not, wind up there. "Rosé fits the theme of the day, despite red being the right pairing for pizza."

@FancyNotClassy "That's absolutely fine because I'm not generally that type of man. I just felt a good vibe from you and went with it. Two glasses of rosé coming right up. Please make yourself comfortable." He replied again with that smile reserved for her in this moment.

@NewBookGuyAdam "I like your vibe too." I flashed him a smile in return, and let my hand touch his forearm gently before doing as he said. I made myself comfortable by taking a seat on his couch, demurely folding my legs as I waited patiently.

@FancyNotClassy The touch was a little bolt of electricity flowing through him before he disappeared to collect the wine, returning moments later with a smile, eyes naturally falling to her legs. "So, what shall we drink to?" He asks as he hands her the glass and sits beside her.

@NewBookGuyAdam I leaned forward to take the glass carefully, not wanting to spill on my host's furniture, then wiggled to make myself comfortable. "How about we toast to not having a missed connection? The world tried it's hardest and yet we made it here."

@FancyNotClassy "I think that's a perfect toast and I couldn't think of a better thing to celebrate. So now here we are, I think we should perhaps get to know one another a bit better?" He suggested as he smiled at her and made himself comfortable on the sofa just beside her.

@NewBookGuyAdam I shifted my body to turn towards him, glass in hand. "Why, yes, I think we should. You go first. What would you like to know about me, Mr. Hampshire. I promise to answer as honestly as the law will allow. But we all have our secrets." The smile on my face hinted at a joke.

@FancyNotClassy He smiled softly at her words, not quite sure if it was a joke or if she truly was keeping a dark secret close to her chest. Something he would dig a little for. "Well... First things first. When was your last relationship and how long was it?"

@NewBookGuyAdam "Ooooh, diving right into the deep ones I see. I mentioned before that I'm a widow. He was my last relationship. We weren't married for long before he became ill..." Without a tear in my eye, I took a sip and looked to him. "Your turn. When was yours?"

@FancyNotClassy I nod as I listen before taking a sip of my own drink and bracing myself. "My last relationship was with my wife, Katy. She was my first love. We were together for years and married for two before... Before she died." I look into my glass at the liquid sloshing around. Silent.