The drone of Lindsey's voice was getting annoying, so I plopped in a single earbud into my ear. Sadly, I could still hear her.

"Everything there is practically free! Celene are you even listening to me?"

I groaned and pressed the pause button on the cord,"Yes. I'm listening."

"Then why aren't you getting as excited about this as I am?"

I shrugged and clicked the cord button again to play the music. Lindsey didn't appreciate that much, so she scoffed and playfully swatted my lunch tray away from me.

"You know, this is why you're single, Celene."

I was now determined to ignore her so I added the other earbud in.

From the corner of my eye I could see Lindsey throwing her hands up and then resting her head in her arms on the table. She was a good friend, I'll give her that, but that was also the problem. She wanted me to be happy, and find someone. I've always seen her and Darryl coo and coddle each other, and yeah it would be cool to have that I guess. But you can't rush these things, right?

Her voice was muffled, but I secretly turned down the volume so I could hear her, my head turned away so I gave her my side profile.

"Well. Darryl and I are headed there later today. You should come along. If you really don't find a date, I'll pay for you alright?"

I breathed a sigh through my lips and nodded, still looking away from her,"Alright. Fine."

"I'll even buy you a few donuts and those little lemon cakes."

I turned my head fully towards her, looked at her, then burst into a huge smile, which she mirrored. We both shared a small giggle in the middle of the mall while everyone went about their business, browsing Valentine's Day deals in just about every store.

Later on that day, I did go with Lindsey and Darryl to Lucky Joe's. I sat awkwardly in the car with them. Third wheeling was my specialty. Thankfully they weren't making out or anything on the way. I would be grossed out, not to mention dead. Somewhere around that time my other friend Brock texted me. I mentioned the Lucky Joe's deal to him, which he gladly thanked me for. He was a huge coffee addict. Honestly, I would've asked him to at least be my fake date, but he has a real girlfriend. You probably know what I'm talking about too. The clingy, crazy kind? He would never have even lived another second if he held my hand and walked in there. Brittany would've been on him in flash, no matter how far away she was.

When we arrived, there was a small line, but it almost went all the way to the front door, which made my stomach churn and easily made me not want to go in anymore.

"Man it's packed." Darryl said as he parked the car a few steps away from the cafe.

"Yeah, it is. Geez." Lindsey took his hand as soon as we got out of the car.

I shut my door begrudgingly and stuffed my hands in my jacket pocket. There were cute little hearts made out of paper all over the glass windows. They were varying colors of pink, reds and purples, some even had the added decoration of lace around the edges. Lucky Joe's was certainly going all out on Valentine's Day.

"Come on, Celene!" Lindsey called after me as I stood on the sidewalk staring at the windows while she and Darryl stood by the door.

I pushed myself to take the steps inside with a sigh. Darryl had held the door open for Lindsey and I, and I thanked him with a faint smile. He smiled back and let the door shut as soon as I stepped further inside to return to his rightful place at Lindsey's side.

I didn't go here often, but when I did some mornings before work, or even after, I always felt safe. And kinda hipster-ish. It wasn't a stereotypical hipster hangout, more like a cooler, low key Starbucks. 

The whole room smelled of coffee and baked goods. It made my stomach growl lowly, and I was glad the sound was muted by the chatter of the customers waiting in line.

What dismayed me the most was absolutely everyone was holding hands in line, meaning everyone was a couple. Or a "couple". I was literally the only single person here.

"Hey, the line's moving. How many lemon cakes do you want Celene?"

Lindsey had turned to me but I was too nervous to even match her eye contact. My eyes widened wildly as I looked at everyone around me. I switched quickly from the people to the menu to try and calm down but it hardly worked. I took a few deep breaths when Lindsey said to me again.

"Celene?"

"I-I.." I shakily tried to make out. "I gotta find someone."

With that I left my place in line and took a few steps back for myself. I ended up by an empty table in the corner of the cafe and tried to sort things out in my mind. Why was I feeling like this all of a sudden? Maybe Lindsey's pressuring finally got to me, and made me realize how single I was. Which was stupid.

Besides, this didn't have to be a real thing. I would just have to hold someone's hand and just go up to the counter. That wasn't hard.

That was when I saw my saving grace.

I spotted a young man across the room and past the long line, standing all by his lonesome. I don't know how I didn't see him. I couldn't make his features out clearly, but a lonely soul was all I needed.

I speed walked as quick as I could and cut into the line momentarily to get across. Once I was there I glanced around until I spotted the lonely person.

My jaw slammed against the cool, tile floor it dropped so hard.

He was average height, not quite six feet. His outfit of a beach tank top and shorts made him look like a surfer dude. His dark hair, eyes and skin only made the image more prominent. Only I knew he was anything but a surfer dude. He had never surfed in his life.

Carlos didn't meet my eyes, only looked unsettingly ahead at the line. It was 3 years ago that we broke up. My sophomore year in college. It was difficult for me to decide whether or not he had changed. Physically, I couldn't tell. He was always tan skinned with brown eyes and brown hair. Nothing new, if anything, his hair was a little longer.

"Carlos.."

His head turned accordingly to my voice and when he saw me his expression wasn't what I expected. I expected him to mirror my own expression. This guy was smiling at me.

"Celene. Funny running into you, here."

His voice made me want to smack him and kiss him at the same time.

"Yeah..yeah it is."

His head jerked over to the counter behind us,"You here for the Valentine's thing?"

"Yeah.." I repeated and shyly began to rub my arm after moving some of my blonde hair behind my ear.

"Hmm.." Carlos got on his tiptoes and looked around, narrowing his eyes,"I don't see anyone with you."

"Nice observation."

He chuckled and took a few steps towards me, making my heart pump fast,"Well. I'm not with anyone either. What do you say we go up together?"

I stared at his hand as he held it out to me. I used to hold them all the time.

"We aren't together anymore, Carlos."

"I know that." He simply said, awaiting for my hand. "This isn't a date or anything. Just a way to get cheap food." He shrugged his shoulders with a light smile,"No big deal right?"

His smile was what done me in. Now and then. I hesitantly took his hand and watched as his face lit up.

"Thanks."

We waited in line for about 3 minutes before it was our turn, and of course Carlos had to try and make small talk.

"So, how've you been?"

"Good," I answered,"you?"

"I've been alright." He switched the subject and pointed to the nearing menu,"What're you getting?"

I actually cracked a smile,"I thought you would know." I snickered.

Carlos smiled too,"Yeah. 2 sugars, 3 creams and 2 lemon cakes."

When we got sat down I saw Lindsey and Darryl a few ways away from us. They looked happy. Carlos got his usual dark coffee and we chatted casually until our food and coffee was gone.

Carlos had walked me out, still holding my hand. I would be lying if I said it didn't feel nice.

He had leaned in and kissed my cheek, still smiling that same old smile.

"You still have my number?"

He was being cheeky. I had to smile.

"Yes, Carlos. I still have your number.