#choicesholidays

Still, he reasoned, as a colleague, it would be fine to go ask if she was okay, although it was just as likely she would tell him to piss off than what was going on.

So he went outside where he found her sitting on one of the pub’s benches, staring at the sky, a frown still on her face.

Tobias sat down next to her, close but not so close that they would be touching.

“Are you okay?”

Julia didn’t say anything for a moment, and Tobias almost got ready to leave her alone, but then she sighed.

“An… acquaintances is getting married. On Valentine’s Day. And I’m invited.”

She sounded annoyed and a little disgusted, and Tobias frowned.

Sure, it was a little short notice, and maybe, if someone asked him, a bit tacky to get married on Valentine’s Day, but he didn’t see why it would warrant such a reaction.

“Okay?”, he prompted, and Julia sighed again.

“I know her from school, and she doesn’t actually like me. Which is mutual”, she added, as if that hadn’t been clear. “She’s always trying to show me up, and I just know she only invited me to show how oh-so-romantic her life is or some other nonsense.”

“That does sound stupid”, Tobias agreed, and Julia snorted, which he counted as a win. If nothing else, at least he had cheered her up a little.

“Don’t go then”, he proposed, and Julia rolled her eyes.

“Wish that I could. But she’ll see that as an admission that her life is better or something.”

“That’s even more stupid”, Tobias couldn’t help but say. “You’re amazing, and someone isn’t ‘better’ because they’re getting married on Valentine’s Day.” He put as much disdain into his voice as he could, which was a lot, and Julia smiled.

“Thanks. I know. I still have to go though. But I can’t go alone.”

“Ah.” Of course that crazy person Tobias didn’t even know seemed like she would see that as a weakness too, or something equally stupid. “Take someone then?”

“Where am I gonna find a date for Valentine’s Day this quickly?”

Tobias was sure that there were lots of people who wanted to date her, but he wasn’t going to say that.

“I’ll go with you.”

“What?” Julia turned to him, clearly surprised, and Tobias shrugged, trying to look casual and not like his heart was beating out of his chest.

“I have nothing better to do, and I’ll get free food. And I admit, I’m interested in seeing what kind of person this acquaintance of yours is.”

“Hmm.” Julia grinned, her eyes gleaming. “So does that mean you want to date me, Dr. Carrick?”

Tobias grinned back, leaning in a little, delighted when Julia didn’t pull back. Of course dating her was exactly what he wanted, but he still made it sound like as much as a joke as he could when he replied “You wish, Dr. Zhang.”

And despite knowing that she didn’t mean it, her answering cheeky “Maybe” and the accompanying wink made his heart skip a beat.

Valentine’s Day came quickly, and Tobias went to pick Julia up. He was wearing his best suit, having taken extra effort to look good. Even if it was just a fake date, he wanted to look good for her.

When Julia opened the door, the view took his breath away. She was wearing a dark blue strapless gown that accentuated her figure just right, her long dark hair was swept over one bare shoulder, and her wine-red lipstick drew attention to her full lips.

Tobias swallowed drily. “Wow.” He had to clear his throat to get more words out. “You look amazing.”

Julia blushed a little. “Thank you.”

Then she grinned, looking him up and down. “You’re not too bad yourself.”

Tobias laughed. “An almost compliment from you? I’ll take it.”

The wedding was as extravagant as he had expected, and the reception was held in a big ballroom, with tables to both sides and a huge dancefloor in the middle.

They were seated with no one Julia knew, which according to her was a jab from the bride, but she actually didn’t mind, saying that she didn’t like any of the other people from her school who had been invited anyway, and Tobias didn’t care either way.

The food had been good, and now he was content to people watch and listen to Julia’s stories about them.

His arm was draped casually over the back of her chair and she was leaning into him, and Tobias was enjoying this more than he probably should.

Julia was just pointing out a particularly bad dancer, when the bride appeared in front of them. Tobias had been wondering if that would happen or if she would just ignore them, and apparently now was the time.

“Julia”, she greeted, not even looking at Tobias, and Julia forced a smile.

“Astrid. Congratulations.”

Astrid smiled sweetly. “Thank you! Isn’t everything sooo romantic?” She sighed dreamily, and Tobias had to stop himself from rolling his eyes.

“Not that you would know about romance”, she added then, sounding condescending. “It’s always just work with you, isn’t it?”

“Well, not only is she brilliant at her job”, Tobias cut in before Julia could say anything, irritated that this stupid woman would treat her like that. “She also has a very satisfying romantic life.”

He said it with just the right amount of innuendo to leave no doubt what he was talking about, leaning forward a little, moving his hand from the back of the chair to Julia’s shoulder, his thumb brushing her collarbone and feeling her shudder at that.

She smiled brightly, turning to him. “Exactly. I’ve certainly never had any complaints.”

The way she was looking at him, her eyes dark and her lips slightly parted, almost made Tobias forget that this was all just an act.

He only just stopped himself from leaning in and kissing her, instead brushing a kiss over her cheek, risky enough, but not as bad as a real kiss.

Then he turned back to Astrid, a fake smile on his lips. “Anything else we can help you with?”

“Tch. Forget it.” She turned around, stomping back over to her husband, looking like a petulant child, and Tobias couldn’t help but laugh.

Julia laughed with him. “Thanks! That was great.”

“Anytime.” And he meant that. If he could make Julia happy, anything was worth it.

“Do you want to dance?”, she asked then, and he agreed.

It was a slow song, appropriate for a wedding, and he pulled her close, his hands on her waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned her head against his chest, and he let his head rest on hers, trying not to dwell on the fact that she fit perfectly in his arms. But there on the dancefloor, swaying to the music, he let himself forget for just one moment that this was just pretend and just enjoyed holding her. Reality would be bad enough tomorrow, he reasoned, so he could indulge just this once.

Later, when Julia had deemed it appropriate to leave without making Astrid think they were going too early or slighting her or whatever stupid thing she would come up with, they were back at Julia’s door.

She smiled up at him. “This was surprisingly fun.”

“The food was good. The company was okay, I guess.” Tobias shrugged, fighting a grin, and Julia rolled her eyes.

“Sure. But seriously, thank you.”

“Anytime”, he couldn’t help but reply.

“Yeah?” Julia stepped a little closer. “So you’re saying you’d date me anytime?”

Maybe he shouldn’t do this, maybe it would ruin their work relationship and make things awkward, but with the way she was looking at him, curious and hopeful, he couldn’t help but be honest. “Yes.”

“Oh.” She blinked, then the most brilliant smile broke out on her face. “In that case…” She came even closer, placing her hands on his hips and pulling herself up on her tiptoes. “Can I get a goodnight kiss?”

Smiling back, he leaned down and cupped her cheeks.

The Secret Note: MC receives an anonymous Valentine's card

The Magical Candy: Write a story about a box of chocolates that causes people to tell the truth.

New Traditions

Love at first sight

First love

First kiss

Let’s get married!

This is wrong/we shouldn’t be doing this…. (write a forbidden love story)

Worst/Best Valentine’s Day ever

Bittersweet Goodbye/Lost Love

Reconnection/Reunited

It’s always been you

Best Friends: use this as a friends to lovers story OR write about single characters handing out on V-day. Platonic or ACE love.

Toxic Love: Because why not?

Additionally, feel free to use prompts from previous years.

2024:

First date

First kiss

But I can’t dance…..

I know my brother/sister is your ex, but if you’ll just listen….

Last kiss

This isn’t remotely romantic, but I still wouldn’t want to be anywhere else

I don’t want to ruin our friendship but I can’t keep my feelings a secret a moment longer

Be my fake date for a wedding?

I’ve been expressly forbidden from seeing you. However…..

You’re the most toxic person I’ve ever met and honestly I can’t get enough.

Good girl/Bad boy or Good boy/bad girl

Would you shut up for a minute? I’ve never proposed to anyone before!

Okay, we stole all the valentine’s cards….now what?

Be my valentine/I love you

2023:

This isn't what I imagined a relationship would be like. It's so much more.

You broke through every wall I had. How can I resist you now?

Marry me

I don't need a hall pass, you're my hall pass

I was wrong, I want you back

I'd burn down the world for you

Let's have a baby

I'll never forget you

You're the only one that truly knows me

You always make me laugh

Go on a date with me

I knew you were the one when.....

You're my best friend