February 13

5:35 p.m. Cat's Apartment, Los Angeles Arts District

The sun had started to set as Cat walked in the door. The remaining rays of sunshine reflected off her glossy white living room table, kitchen cupboards, and bar countertop. She loved taking in the sight of her chic studio apartment. She labored to paint it white and complimented it with black furniture. The city view from her floor length window looked like something out of a postcard. It was almost like the bachelorette pad she pictured for herself when she was 12. The only thing missing was fresh flowers in that lone red vase sitting on her living room table.

As a teen, she imagined that she would have had a boyfriend by now. The kind of boyfriend who would bring her flowers that she would proudly display on that table. The kind who would make Valentine's Day special just because he knew that would make her happy. Alas, she was still single at the age of 22.

She sighed at the sight of the empty red vase and grabbed artificial flowers from a kitchen cabinet. Then she sat on her black reclining leather couch and turned on the TV. She couldn't find anything good, so she turned the TV off. Her phone light up with a call from her best friend Diggory aka Love of Her Life Who Will Hopefully Notice Her Anytime Soon.

"Digs, do you have ESP?" she asked. "How did you know I need a friend right now?"

"My god, Cat," replied Digs. "When do you not?"

"Shut up," she laughed. "Why did you call?"

"Well, it's about tomorrow."

Cat's heart started beating faster. 'This is it,' she thought. 'He's finally going to tell me he loves me!"

She cleared her throat and tried to act calm. "What about it?"

"I know I said that I'll go with you to the Single Hearts thing."

"I better not hear a 'but,' following that sentence, Digs, or I swear!" Cat wailed.

"And I know how much it means to you," he continued carefully as if he didn't hear her threat. "And it means a lot to me because it means a lot to you, however,"

"What a smart mouth," Cat interrupted. "You know Digs, it's okay. You're just my best friend. Since childhood. I mean, you were bound to get sick of me and leave me in the air like this. So what, if I attended the Single Hearts Party that I RSVP'd for 2? What was I thinking, that you would accompany me, so that I could be the envy of those hater single girls at the office? Because no matter my similar single status, I have a hot best friend who keeps me company on Valentine's."

"I knew you'd understand!" Digs said quickly and hung up.

Cat stared at her cell in disbelief for a good five minutes before leaving it on her couch. She tried to stay optimistic about the party. Maybe Digs is planning a surprise. Or maybe not. She probably should not get her hopes up. She marched lifelessly to her bed and crawled under her covers.

February 14

9:05 a.m. Cat's Office, Los Angeles Financial District

"Knock knock, nine o'clock," an attractive man dressed like cupid stood by Cat's door. "I'm actually five minutes late, but are you Cat?"

"If I say yes, are you going to sing?" she asked cautiously.

"I am a singing telegram," the cupid replied.

"Well then, no," she said. "I'm not Cat."

"But it says on the door --"

"She's out for coffee," she interrupted. "I'm just here looking at some of her paperwork."

The cupid sighed and looked like he was about to leave. Instead, he walked inside her office and closed the door behind him.

"What are you doing?" Cat asked warily.

"Look, I think you're Cat," he said. "And I'm supposed to deliver this message to you. I know that you probably think I was going to do something embarrassing."

Cat raised her eyebrows at him.

"And you're right," he admitted. "It's embarrassing for me too! But you know, I really think you need to hear this."

Cat leaned back on her chair and eyed the cupid carefully. He's kind of cute.

"I can do it in a serious voice instead, if you want," he offered. "I won't even sing a note."

"Okay then," she resigned. "Let's hear it."

Cupid cleared his throat and looked into her eyes.

"My dearest Cat, I loved you since second grade Math.

I know that for what I did, I deserve your wrath.

I hope in the spirit of this Single Hearts Day,

You'll forgive, and remember I love you, come what may."

"Ohmygod."

"See?" the cupid looked pleased with himself. "I knew you needed to hear that!"

"Ohmygod, ohmygod. Oh. My. God!!!"

Cat stood up and walked up to the cupid. "Who sent me this?" she demanded. "Is it Digs?"

"Uh, Digs?" he looked at her confused. Then he realized that she looked liked she hoped it was him. So he said, "Sure. It was Digs."

Cupid took out a customer order form and showed it to Cat. "Digs is Diggory, right?"

She read it and fell to the floor. Cupid caught her by her arms. "Whoa, are you okay?"

"But, what does this mean?"

"I'm sorry?" he let out a 'umhmph' as he brought her up to a seat.

"What does Digs mean by this?" Cat asked, dazed.

"That's really all he wrote, so," he replied awkwardly. He started to head for the door.

"Do you think he means that he loves me? Like, really, really loves me?"

"He did say, 'come what may,'" he pointed out. Then he glanced at his watch and realized that he was late, again, for his next meeting. "Hey, you okay? Cause I gotta go to my..."

He couldn't continue to say goodbye because Cat pouted. He stood transfixed at the sight of her beautiful face full of emotion.

Also because she suddenly called out to him. "You can't just leave! I was fine before you decided I needed to hear that message!"

"Wait, what?"

"You don't understand!" Cat started to whimper when he opened the door.

He quickly closed the door in panic. "Look, Cat," he said nervously.

Cat sniffled and looked up at him. Her eyes reminded him of an actual cat, or maybe a kitten. Either way, he thought, he was smitten. He berated himself inwardly for rhyming again about this girl.

"If I promise to come back around lunch time, will you please let me go without crying hysterically?" he found himself comforting her. "I'll try to come before then, but you have made me extremely late for my morning appointments."

She nodded slowly and he exited her office just as slow.

12:17 p.m. Still in Cat's Office, Los Angeles Financial District

"Knock, knock." Cupid stood by Cat's door smiling foolishly.

She looked up from typing on her computer for a second and continued typing again.

He walked over to the chair in front of her desk, the same one he helped her to sit in that morning when she fell.

Cat started typing slowly as she observed him. She stopped when their eyes met.

"You seem to be doing much better," he broke the silence.

"I am," she said. "You didn't have to come by, but I didn't know how to reach you."

He pointed at the order form on her desk. "You could've called the office."

"Oh. Right," she realized belatedly. "I'm sorry."

"Hmm, I want to accept your apology, but I did rush my meetings to come back for you," he said. "I think you owe me lunch."

Cat reached for her purse and the cupid started to laugh in his disbelief. She looked at him confused.

"I meant that you owe me about the same amount of time, Miss Cat, that I spent extra with you up here, and rushing to come back to you."

"Oh, I didn't know you worked by the hour."

"I don't," he smiled at her. "Will you please have lunch with me? It is your lunch break, isn't it? Besides, you owe me a story."

"You seem to be under the impression that I owe you a lot of things, Mr. Cute Cupid. I mean, Mr., Mr., what was your name again?"

He smiled at her. "Come with me to lunch and I'll tell you."

Cat is the type to worry over having lunch with strangers, especially attractive ones. But something about his smile did her in and she found herself following the cute cupid outside her office.

12:46 p.m. Precious Petunias, Downtown Los Angeles

"Do you like duck?" Cupid asked her without looking at the menu.

She looked up from the menu and thought for a bit before responding, "I've never tried it."

"We'll have the duck confit tacos and parmesan and herb fries for starters," he ordered as soon as the server approached their table. "You're an interesting mystery, Cat."

Cat was in awe at the confidence and command he exuded. "So are you, Cupid."

"Tell me about him."

"Him who? Digs?" she asked. "Digs and I kind of grew up together. We met in Pre-K when I came up to him and told him that I was going to marry him someday."

Cat blushed and smiled while looking at her glass of water. "But we just grew up to be best friends, you know?"

"Hmm. So when did you fall in love with him?"

"I was 12," she answered distractedly. Then her eyes opened wide with shock at the realization of her confession.

"And how old are you now?"

"Twenty-hey, you're not supposed to ask a woman that."

He laughed. "Let's say you're 22 because it seems like you've loved him for a decade. What's wrong? Why aren't you happy and celebrating the fact that he told you he loves you on Valentine's Day?"

She frowned at him. "I've been looking forward to the day that he finally notices me, and now that it's here... it's surreal. But it is happening, right? I just don't want to mess it up. Because if it isn't him, then who would it be?"

They were silent after that. Cupid couldn't understand how a beautiful girl like Cat could think she'd be the one to mess up the relationship. Their appetizers arrived and he still couldn't find the words to say. He just busied himself with the fries in front of him.

"Ohmygoditshim!"

"What?" He looked up from the fries.

She showed him her cell. "It's him! He's calling me!"

"Well, pick it up," he encouraged and forced a smile.

"Hi Digs," she answered giddily, and the cupid didn't try to hide his snort.

"Hey baby girl, did you get my message this morning?" Digs talked over some street noise.

"Yes, I did. It was perfect," Cat gushed.

"Good. So you're not mad anymore?"

"No, Digs," she laughed. "Of course not. But can we talk?"

"Sure, I want to talk to you too. But it has to be right after work, okay? I know you have that dinner thing and I also have somewhere else to be."

"Wait, you're still not going to the Single Hearts Party? Oh. Wait. Of course not," she realized that they're not single hearts anymore. "Okay, where should I meet you?"

"How about your apartment at 6:00?"

"Okay, see you then," Cat hung up the call with a smile.

"Looks like you were worried for nothing," Cupid said.

"That's because I'm an expert at hiding my feelings," she replied before biting into her taco. "Mmmm, this is good!"

Cupid was never attracted to girls when they ate, but he continued to be smitten. "Which means?"

"I'm really flipping out," she almost shouted. "I mean, I have to go shopping, and I suck at that. I really want to make this night special, but he's seen me in all of my dresses."

"I'm sure he doesn't remember it all," he said.

"But he picked it all!"

"He what?" the cupid asked half-laughing.

"Picked it all. I just suck at putting clothes together."

"You can't be that bad," he was really laughing now. "Look at you."

"This is only thanks to Digs," she insisted. "Will you come shopping with me?" she asked as if it was her best idea.

Before he could come up with reasons not to go with her, Cupid found himself in the mall with Cat picking out lovey dovey decorations and the 'perfect' dress.

5:35 p.m. Cat's Apartment, Los Angeles Arts District

"Whoa, this is quite a place you have here, Cat," Cupid commented after placing her shopping bags down.

Cat looked at her view. It was the same sunset last night and the other nights before, but somehow it looked prettier today. "I know," she said.

They decorated her place until you couldn't tell the black and white interior anymore. There were rose petals, paper hearts, and battery-powered candles all around. Cupid rested on her couch as she changed into the red dress he picked out for her.

He always laughed at the scenes in the romantic comedies his sisters made him watch. The girl always came out of the fitting room with the dress that renders the male lead speechless. Then when Cat came out of bathroom all dolled up wearing the red dress, he realized that there was nothing funny about those scenes at all. She took his breath away.

She didn't have to ask him what he thought. His face showed it all. They didn't move, and just smiled at each other from a distance until Cat's phone beeped.

Text message from Digs

Baby girl, I'm running late because of a meeting. Can you meet me at Precious Petunias instead?

Cat looked defeated. She looked around her place and thought how it was all a complete waste.

"You can still bring him back here later," Cupid said. "It won't be a complete waste. Go meet him."

Reply

Sure, babe. On my way.

6:55 p.m. Precious Petunias, Downtown Los Angeles

Cat found Digs on the patio waiting area of the restaurant. "Babe, sorry I'm so late," she kissed his cheek. "I couldn't find parking."

The man next to Digs turned around as well and smiled at her. "Are you Cat? I've heard so much about you!"

"Oh," she shook his hand. "Well, you know what they say, they can't all be true."

He laughed. "Yes, they do say that. I'm Dmitri."

"Nice to meet you," Cat said.

"I'm sorry you're late too, baby girl," Digs said. "But we only have a reservation for two."

Cat turned to Digs. "But babe, I thought we were going to, you know, talk about your message this morning?"

"You said it was perfect, that we're good."

"Yes, babe. But what you said --"

"Wait, why do you keep on calling me babe?"

"Well, I thought," Cat continued slowly and confused. "I thought that was going to be our pet name for each other."

"Why would we need a pet name?" Digs was confused as well.

"Because this morning you said that you, you know," Cat lowered her voice, "you love me."

Digs knitted his eyebrows.

"And I came here to tell you that," Cat cleared her throat. "That, well, I love you too, Digs."

"Ohmygod," Dmitri covered his open mouth.

"Oh no," Digs said at the same time.

Then the hostess called for their reservation, "Diggory, party of two," twice.

"Dmitri, can you go ahead?" Digs asked without taking his eyes off of Cat. "I just need a minute with her."

"Yeah, sure," Dmitri nodded. "It was nice meeting you too, Cat."

Digs guided Cat to the side of the patio and faced her. "Baby girl, I thought you knew all this time. I mean, I never really came out and said it."

He shook his head. "I just thought that you knew and accepted me the way that I am. I thought it was cool, you know? That we never had to have an awkward talk. Ha. Then here we are."

"Digs, what are you saying?"

"I'm gay, Cat."

"Wait, what? B-b-b-but," Cat sat down on the ledge. "I can't believe this."

"I'm sorry, baby girl," Digs hugged her. "I didn't even know I was leading you on. How long have you --"

"Okay!" she laughed. "Lets not make me feel sillier than I already do."

Digs hugged her tighter. "So, we're still good?"

She finally hugged him back, "Yes, of course."

"Okay," he kissed her cheek. "Do you want me to cancel my date? We can talk, or watch a movie?"

"No," she waved him off. "Go. Have fun. I have a party to go to anyway."

Digs smiled at her and turned around.

"Hey, who's this Dmitri anyway? Don't you need my stamp of approval?" she called out.

He laughed and Cat could see he was really happy. "I'll tell you all about it later, baby girl."

7:39 p.m. Single Hearts Party, Downtown Los Angeles

"Catty Cat-cat! I can't believe you brought such a yummy date here!"

"Yeah, knowing a hottie like that, why are you still single?"

Even girls she wasn't completely closed with were approaching her and asking about this guy. But no one was coming to mind, so she asked, "Who are you girls talking about?"

"Hey, Cat! You made it," a really handsome hottie approached her. "I mean, what are you doing here? I thought you were going to meet Digs somewhere else?"

She didn't recognize him without the cupid costume. When she realized who he was, she smiled at him and it seemed like there was only the two of them. "Cupid?" she whispered.

He smiled even bigger than she did. "You hungry?"

She followed him to the table and eyed him carefully. "How did you know?"

"You only had appetizers for lunch, and you didn't grab a snack while," he stopped talking when he noticed her confused look.

"I meant, how did you know I was going to be here?" she asked.

February 13

7:00 p.m. Flower Shop, Downtown Los Angeles

"Please! I just really have to send this out tomorrow or she'll never forgive me!" Digs was begging the owner of the flower shop to take one more order for Valentine's Day.

"You should've come earlier then, son," the owner said.

"Why are you turning down business?" He started to complain dramatically and most of what he said was incomprehensible.

The owner would have none of it and shooed him away. Digs pulled out his phone and was looking frantically for another flower shop when a suit-wearing Cupid approached him.

"It doesn't look like he's out of flowers," he said. "What exactly are you looking for?"

"A singing telegram," Digs replied. "What are you here for?"

February 14

8:02 p.m. Single Hearts Party, Downtown Los Angeles

"Anyway, the way he was --"

"Wait. Don't tell me you knew he was gay?"

"I'm sorry?" he replied guiltily.

Cat sighed. "What a day, huh? In the morning, I thought that the best friend I was in love with for a decade was also in love with me. Then in the afternoon, I got ready to tell him that I love him too. And the evening, well, you know."

Cupid just smiled at her.

She toyed with the straw of her drink. "Hey, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure," he said.

"Why did you spend the day with me?"

"Why did you?"

"I don't know," she sipped her drink. "I still don't know your name."

"Are you sure?"

February 13

5:10 p.m. Coffee & Co., Downtown Los Angeles

He had been staring at Cat for the past hour as she tried to get work done in the coffee shop. No matter how many times he rehearsed it, there was no way to tell her that he's admired her for years without sounding creepy.

When he finally had the nerve to approach her, she started packing her stuff up. He stood frozen behind her, so she bumped into him when she turned around.

"Oof. I'm sorry," she said apologetically.

"Uh, Cat?"

"Yes, hi. Uhm?"

"Uh, it's A-a-aron," he stammered. "Remember from second grade math?"

"Ohhh!" she pretended to remember. "Uhm, wow. Well, how have you been?"

"I'm good, you?"

"Good. Hey, listen, I actually have to go right now," she said.

"Oh. Yeah, of course," he said. "But hey, do you want to catch up some time?"

"Yeah, sure," she said, clumsily putting her bag on her shoulder.

"Great," he smiled from ear to ear. "Can I have your number?"

"Sure," she was about to put her number in his phone when her phone rang. "Hello? Digs? Are you okay? What's going on?"

Cat started to exit the shop when she remembered Aaron. "I'm sorry, Aaron. I have to go. Let's catch up soon, yeah? Bye!"

"Yeah," Aaron said defeatedly. He realized belatedly that she didn't finish putting her number in his phone, so he ran out the shop to chase her, but she was long gone.

February 14

Present time. Single Hearts Party, Downtown Los Angeles

"Aaron?"

Aaron smiled at her for the eighth time tonight, not that she was counting.

"Okay," she laughed nervously. "How did you?"

"I knew where you worked, and wanted to drop by with flowers," he started to explain. "Then, I heard Digs' order while he was begging the shop owner. 'Baby girl, Cat, I'm so sorry, and I love you very much. xoxo Digs.'"

"So you're not really a cupid singing telegram?"

"No," he laughed.

"And the poem?"

"I write sometimes," he answered smiling. Ninth.

"It was beautiful." She smiled at him and tried to calm her excited heart.

Then he blew her away with three words, "I meant it."

"I have so many questions."

"I've got time and answers."

He stood up and led her to the dance floor. They talked and danced until her feet hurt in her new shoes. Then they went to her apartment to eat the Valentine's candy and chocolates they bought earlier that day.

They talked until dawn before Aaron said that he needed to go somewhere. Cat was sad to see him go, but he came back just in time for sunrise. They watched together as the rays of sun reflected off the buildings to the glossy furniture in her apartment.

The light hit her lone red vase on the living room table perfectly, like it always did. But this time, it wasn't empty. It didn't have artificial flowers either. Cat looked at the fresh flowers that Aaron brought her and smiled.