Off-Limits Valentine Read online

  Off-Limits Valentine

  A Holiday Series Novel

  By Melody Heck Gatto

  Off-Limits Valentine (The Holiday Series Book Two)

  By Melody Heck Gatto

  Copyright © 2020 by Melody Heck Gatto

  License Notes

  All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite e-book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Editing by Cat’s Eye Proofing

  Cover Design by Melody Heck Gatto

  Proofread by Horus Proofreading Angel Nyx

  Table of Contents

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter One

  Harley

  SUNDAY NIGHTS AND MONDAY mornings were the two worst days of the entire week. However, Monday morning was upon Harley Brady again. To add to the misery, it was the morning after Winter break. A fresh snow had fallen throughout the night in Washington, DC, and it was even colder than the day before.

  Harley hated winter. She hated it more than broccoli and she really couldn’t stand the mini green tree-like vegetable. Nonetheless, she had to get to class. Tugging on her heavy puffy parka, she zipped it clear to the top and tied a wool scarf around her neck. She had her gloves at the ready, to ensure once the door opened, she could slide them on.

  That was the other thing she hated about winter—puffy jackets. They made her feel like a marshmallow. Typically, she would wear her leather jacket any time the weather cooperated. It was less about comfort and more about fashion. But the bitter cold was beyond the warmth leather could provide.

  “You, of all people, have an eight o’clock class? I can’t believe it,” Lily O’Connor, Harley’s roommate and best friend, said from the kitchen.

  “Look,” she slightly snapped. “I’m not happy about this either. However, this moron of a professor enjoys torturing students by having a lecture class at the crack of dawn.” She adjusted her backpack on her shoulders. There was not enough coffee in the city to make this okay.

  “Aren’t you being a bit dramatic?” Lily’s giggle made her curls bounce.

  “No,” she told her firmly. “I’m not being dramatic enough.”

  Again, her friend laughed. “Well, enjoy your day, because this is your very last semester of undergraduate life. Next year at this time you’ll be working at your dream job and planning your wedding.”

  Keeping her face expressionless, her stomach flipped. She had thought about this exact situation last night, while lying in bed. Harley had toyed with the idea of attempting her MBA directly after finishing her undergrad degree of Business Management. But even if it was something she’d like to explore, that wasn’t in her boyfriend’s five-year plan. Two more years of school would set things back. Including them getting married.

  “Yep, but right now I have to survive the freezing cold weather.” She turned toward the door, took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself to step outside, and made her way to it.

  The cold hit her as if she ran into a frozen wall. Cussing under her breath, she made her way down the stairs and silently cheered that she didn’t fall. Normally, she’d Uber over to campus, but today she didn’t want to fight the wait time and walked instead—which was a poor decision considering how cold it was. Thankfully, she didn’t live far from campus and easily made her way to the building.

  Once inside, she pulled off the scarf and unzipped the parka, letting the heat from the building warm her up. Finding the lecture room wasn’t difficult since she’d been in the building before for another class a few semesters back. Not being the type to sit in the very back—nor the very front—of the class, she always sat dead center of the room. Strolling in, she spotted her seat and quickly settled in.

  Just as she thought, the professor droned on, his monotone voice possessing no emotion or any human traits. To survive this class, she quickly figured out she’d need to double her caffeine in the morning. Unfortunately, she didn’t do that today. The time dragged on, and she did her best to keep up with her notes and trying not to nod off.

  Thankfully, she made it through the whole lecture and hoped she would make it to the end of the semester. After packing up her things, she made her way back out into the freezing cold. Even though the sun hung a bit higher in the sky, it didn’t bring any warmer temperatures. Not that she expected it to. Hightailing it across campus, she welcomed the sight of the local coffeehouse. She rubbed her hands together, trying to thaw them as she waited in line. Once she paid, she stood off to the side, and passed the time by checking her phone.

  One text message stood out more than the others. It was from her boyfriend, Isaac.

  Isaac: Would you like to grab lunch today?

  Harley should have texted him back without any hesitation, but instead she paused. Staring at the screen she processed her relationship with Isaac.

  They’d been seeing each other for a few months. When people saw them together, especially those who knew Harley well, they would have to do a double take. Harley stood five foot eight, but normally wore heels to be taller. Her long dark brown hair, shined in waves, laying down her back. Her hazel eyes caught everyone’s attention and held them there. Not to forget, her model-thin body, and her funky sense of style. Besides all of that, Harley would only go for one type of man. The athletic, smart mouth, alpha male. Even though she was the most independent female on the planet, with her own set of opinions on every topic, she never backed down from a bad boy.

  Then there was Isaac. He was the opposite of a bad boy.

  Their meeting happened by chance. A friend of a friend of Harley’s had a party and invited her. At the same party, stood this tall man in the corner. He didn’t say anything, only glanced around at everyone. He had dressed nice in a polo and fashionable dark jeans. His light brown hair appeared disheveled, because he kept running his hand through it. As if it was a nervous tick. Harley also noticed his eyes. A pretty dark blue, hidden behind glasses.

  Not one to shy away from any situation, she went right up to him and began a conversation. Obviously, not being her type, didn’t mean she couldn’t be kind to him. She felt bad that he was standing by himself. After learning he’d already graduated from Harvard a couple years ago and worked IT for a top security firm, she was impressed. He had his own place, a car, a job—nothing like those man-boys that she typically dated, who still had roommates and movie posters on their walls. She never could explain what came over her, but when he asked her to dinner the next night, ‘yes’ was her first response without even thinking about it.

  Since then, they’ve been together.

  Even though many questioned her about it, she told them it was none of their business. The truth of it all wa
s, he was stable. He had goals, dreams and hopes for his future and that turned her on. What was missing? That spark a bad boy would give her. The challenge of the back and forth of an argument, and then the passion of making up. The only words to describe Isaac were stable, kind, thoughtful, and nice.

  She could almost hear Lily asking, “Why are you still with him?”

  Because he could give her the stability that she’d craved since childhood.

  Harley: I’d love to. How about 12:30? Subs?

  Before he replied, she already knew what would be coming.

  Isaac: Sounds great. See you then.

  She could have suggested anything, at any time, and he would say it sounded great. Checking her fitness tracker, she had time to grab a coffee and still get to her next class on time.

  HARLEY UBERED OVER to her favorite sub restaurant because she couldn’t take the bitter wind anymore. As the vehicle pulled up, her eyes landed on Isaac standing outside and checking his watch, waiting on her. He had to be the most punctual person she knew.

  “Hi, Harley.” He greeted her with a hug and a kiss on her cheek.

  “Hey,” she said, guiding him into the warm sub shop. The smell of freshly baked bread filled her senses.

  “How’s your day going?” he asked as they stood in line behind the other patrons.

  “My morning class sucks, the professor is so lame, and I’m hoping that I don’t pass out from boredom,” she told him in a deadpanned tone, staring up at the menu.

  “I’m certain you’ll do outstanding as always.”

  She turned to see him smiling down at her. Any female would break their ankle to be with a man so tender and caring. She was kicking herself for not feeling that excitement.

  “Thanks, Isaac.” Her heart warmed at his sincere faith in her. “How’s your day going?”

  This question led him into an in-depth, technical conversation about firewalls, worms and trojans. Harley felt herself to be somewhat techy, but not even close to his level. Isaac loved computers and everything to do with them. When they went out on their first date, she could barely get ten words out of him. Until she asked about his job. Then the flood gates opened and a rush of words came out—half of which she didn’t even know the meaning of, but he finally started talking.

  “I’ve got it.” He quickly pulled out his wallet.

  “Thank you.” Normally, she would be upset if a man acted as though she couldn’t pay her own way. However, Isaac never made her feel as if it was an obligation. He just had a good heart.

  She grabbed their cups and strolled over to the fountain. She knew to mix Isaac’s with half regular pop and half diet. She found it to be disgusting, but he enjoyed it. She filled hers with a regular drink—she could use all the caffeine she could get—and went off to find a spot to sit and wait for him to bring the food.

  Finding a table with two chairs, she managed to get out of her coat without hitting anyone else around her in the tight quarters. When she sat down, she stared at Isaac. He stood out from the college crowd in his suit and wool coat. He had style, but in a hot, nerdy way. Unlike other guys she had dated, Isaac didn’t stare at all the other women standing around waiting for their food. He just stared ahead looking at their subs being created. What woman wouldn’t want a man like him?

  She loved school and wanted a career. The thought of working for a top company, or running her own company gave her a thrill like no other. As a child, she wanted a different life, but most little girls did. She saw herself driving a minivan with her brood of children heading off to soccer practice and events, working for the PTA, with a dutiful husband next to her and living in the suburbs. As she got older, that fantasy faded as she saw life for what it was. She grew up with parents who hated each other until they divorced. Then they shipped her off to boarding schools, so they wouldn’t have to deal with her. She had no siblings, no one to lean on. Her parents were not role models when it came to being a mom and dad. When she called either of her parents, they barely said ten words to her, and then just deposited a check into her bank account—because they believed that money could buy happiness. Now, as an adult, her parents paid her bills, no matter what they were, and the only stipulation was for her to show up at the holiday events and be the perfect daughter—which was code for pretending like they were a happy little family. She rebelled and butted heads with them for many years. Finally, she just gave in and played the part, even if it wasn’t real—it was better than fighting with them.

  She’d learned at an early age that she didn’t want to treat her own children in that manner. Part of her worried it was in her genes, and another part of her assumed if she fulfilled her career dreams first, then had a family, that she would be a better mom than hers ever was. The only problem was telling Isaac that.

  “Are you all right?”

  Isaac’s question brought her back to reality. “Yes. Just still trying to thaw out. This freezing cold is for the birds.”

  “Actually, did you know that while most birds fly south during the winter, a larger majority of them are staying behind since winters are becoming milder. And I hear this cold front will pass soon, so the wind chill should let up a bit.” He set the tray down, handing her sub first before taking his seat and his food.

  “Thank you,” she said, ignoring his added random fact. It was sort of a cute thing that he did.

  “I should be thanking you for having lunch with me. I know the first week back is hard. I’m sure you have loads of studying to do.”

  He was considerate of her feelings. Another point for him.

  “It’s not easy, that’s for sure. Then again, May will be here before I know.” Even she noticed her sad tone.

  “Then it’ll be a new adventure.” Isaac smiled, excitedly.

  His words stuck with her for a moment, spinning around in her head. She was only twenty-one years old. She wasn’t one-hundred percent sure the adventure that lay ahead was the one she wanted to be on. But she refused to say anything to Isaac until she was sure. No use upsetting him over nothing.

  She always wanted to get married and have a family, and with his five-year plan that was achievable. She’d have everything she ever wanted. Or would she?

  “Is there a graduation present you’re eyeing?” Isaac asked.

  Chewing on her sub, she needed a moment to think about this. He was thinking several months ahead, and it made her heart flutter. “I haven’t really thought about it. Are you planning something particular?”

  His cheeks flushed. “I might have an idea or two.”

  His words made her smile. “Do I get a hint?”

  “Maybe a trip. Somewhere nice. Europe?”

  She stopped mid-bite. Knowing him as well as she did, she knew he hadn’t been joking.

  “Too much?”

  Putting the sub down, she shook her head. “Um, no? Just surprised, I guess. I didn’t know you were thinking that far ahead.”

  “Well, I mean, I have vacation time coming and a little money in savings for us to have a fun week together. If you want, of course.”

  Reaching across the small table, she touched his arm. “I would love to go on vacation with you. And it doesn’t have to be as fancy as Europe. Wherever is fine with me.”

  She would be happy sitting on a beach for a week, but she knew Isaac better than that. He needed room service, Wi-Fi, and structure to his week.

  Her words brought a smile to his face. “Great. I’ll take care of everything.”

  They continued to eat and have simple conversation. When they finished, Isaac cleaned up the paper and discarded everything into the trash. He offered to give her a ride back to campus, which she gladly accepted. As he pulled up to the curb next to the building, she leaned over and gave him a gentle kiss.

  “Thank you. I’ll call you later.” She got out before he said anything and briskly walked into the building for her next class.

  “HARLEY, I’M SORRY, but you know me.” Lily shook the fresh popcorn into a larg
er bowl. “And please don’t take this wrong, but, I just don’t see Isaac as being your type.”

  “Gee, how could anyone possibly take that wrong? But it’s simple. I like him,” Harley firmly said, grabbing several pop cans from the fridge. “Shouldn’t that be the only thing that matters?”

  “Look, Isaac’s nice. He really is. I just can’t figure out how you two are together,” she explained, heading toward the living room.

  “Why does it matter? I like him.” Harley sighed, growing frustrated with her friend.

  “I know. I just don’t get it.” Lily shrugged as she put the bowl on the coffee table.

  Before Harley reached her boiling point and exploded on her friend, the doorbell rang.

  “The guys are here,” Lily squealed, rushing to the door.

  Saved by the bell, literally.

  The guys were Lily’s boyfriend, Zane, and his cousin, Spencer Wilson. Since Lily and Zane made their relationship official, the guys hung out more at their place. As they walked in, Harley’s eyes immediately went to Spencer. The man was hot, and he knew it. Tall, athletic build, model fashion, light brown hair, and dark chocolate eyes that would make any girl weak in the knees. He screamed bad boy and non-committal.

  Harley’s exact type.

  “Hey, Har,” Spencer said in his deep, smooth voice as he walked into the living room with a six pack of beer.

  “Hey.” She sat on the floor in front of the coffee table.

  “Ready for me to kick your ass in cards tonight?” Spencer took his spot on the floor next to her, popping open a can of beer.

  “I believe you need to be reminded of who won last week,” she smarted off, then carefully opened her can of pop.

  “Still insist on drinking that stuff?” Spencer nodded to the can of pop.

  Harley shrugged. “I like my caffeine.” She looked at her pop. “I’ve told you before, I don’t care much for the taste of beer.”

  “Suit yourself.” Spencer merely chuckled. He yelled out to Lily and Zane who were flirting in the kitchen. “Hey, lovebirds. Let’s get this game started.”