The only men in my life are; Louie, Manolo, and Stuart. They live in a tiny space about two feet from my bed. They come in different colors, textures, and styles; my favorite is Louie but shhh, don't tell the others. Inside my closet they all call to me. My favorite is a thin heeled black pump with mesh sides, he's not from Louie, but he's one of my favorites. I pull them from the closet letting the door stay slightly ajar as I glide four hundred dollars of material onto my foot. It matches my off the shoulder black lace dress. Most people would use today to wear red or pink; not me Valentines Day is just another day.

Snap, I take a shot of the shoes with the hashtag; #blackisthenewred #theonlymanineedonvday. I've already gotten ten likes since I posted seconds ago. People follow my Insta for where to find the best shoes. I make sure I leave the address to each store around the city. I've got some followers who adore me, and some that always have something negative to say. They tell me I need a real man, and then tell me all the money I spend on shoes could go to charity. They don't know me, and clearly have no clue what I do with a shoe I no longer want.

My phone dings, and I pick it up off my dresser and wait for the picture to load. My phone is ancient, but still kicks ass even with a cracked screen. It's from Aria, my best friend. I see the top of her head, and then the rest. Her eyes with the tip of her fingers covering her bottom lash, followed by some more of her hand, cheek, and nose. Then her open mouth with a tear drop just about to fall inside. Her mouth is wide because there is a huge diamond on her finger. Another Valentines engagement how cliche.

I put my phone down and look at the men who will never break my heart. Louie, Manolo, and Stuart have never let me down. They are the one constant in my life after my last relationship went sour. I don't need a real man to make love to me, or touch me; I just need a good shoe that will comfort me as I walk through life.

If I had to guess I'd probably say there are about three hundred pairs of shoes in that closet. Sure they all cost me a pretty penny, but it's worth it. Another text comes through. I walk back to the bedside and pick up the phone. I stare back into the closet while I wait for the picture to load. Her perfect white smile shines like a million bucks. Next to her is a smiling Sean who's as handsome as Mr. Big. His dark hair, and dreamy dark eyes would make any girl swoon; not me though. I text back that she needs to call me ASAP, and she says of course my MOH. Maid of Honor, huh? I'll have to buy another pair of heels for the occasion.

I sit down on the edge of the bed, my feet barely touch the floor from my small frame. I scroll through Instagram spotting pictures of flowers, chocolates, engagement rings, and then I look towards my closet. I have to remind myself shoes won't hurt you, but men will. I look at the time and realize my favorite shoe store will be closing soon. Without hesitation I jump up and shut the closet door.

It's only eight forty, and they close at nine, nothing a quick shopper like me can't handle. I've already pulled up two options from the store website; easy peasy. I step inside and the bell on the door echoes around. The store is empty, it's never empty. Oh right, Valentines day. Ellen the usual sales woman is nowhere to be found, in fact no one is around. My eyes wander around the store and catch on a black boot. I can't look, because I'd feel like I was cheating on my pumps. My eyes find the heels again, and within thirty seconds I'm back to the boot. My feet carry me in their direction and I stop just in front of the display.

"We just got that one in today," an unfamiliar male voice says.

I look towards the back of the store and out of the shadows is a guy around my age. He doesn't seem to be the type to be working in a shoe store like this. I'm almost positive that underneath his suit he may be hiding some body ink. The holes above his brow tell me another story, he's got piercings as well. I wonder if the stores been robbed, and now I'm about to die on Valentines Day of all days. Alanis Morisette would call that ironic.

"I'm not interested in a boot," I say rolling my eyes.

"Ah!" he says. "You're a pump girl aren't you?"

"How do you know?" I ask.

He steps closer and I can just barely see some left over scruff on his pale face. He presses his lips together attempting to come up with an answer.

"A girl like you would never wear flats," he says.

I laugh out loud almost snorting, but hold back.

"A girl like me? So you think you know me because you figured out that I'm a heel girl?" I question.

"Yes a girl like you. I know you're type," he says.

I open my mouth and shut it again debating weather to walk out and wait until Ellen returns. I don't though I want my Valentines heel, it's tradition. He looks at me like he's studying me some more.

"You have a picture of the shoes you are looking for?" he asks.

My brows pinch together and once I again I find myself rolling my eyes. I reach into my tiny black purse for my phone. I don't have much time before they close and if I stall anymore I won't get my shoes. Ellen always shuts down at exactly nine no later.

"Ah. Silhouette pump, nice choice," he says. "Let me go get those for you. Are there any others?" he questions.

"No, I think one for tonight would be just fine," I tell him.

"Size?" he questions.

"Eight," I answer.

He nods and walks back in the direction he came. I look around the store and feel my eyes wandering back to those boots. I will not stray. It's like my heart and mind are forcing me to chose between something familiar, and something not. A beautiful black silhouette pump, or a rebellious black ankle boot. My feet move back in that direction as the guy comes in from the backroom. He's holding not one, but two boxes. I cross my arms and my chest as he walks over. His brows raise when he looks at me.

"One box of pumps and one box of boots," he says.

"I didn't ask for the boots, I specifically came for the pumps," I say.

"It doesn't hurt to try something new, step out of you're comfort zone," he says emphasizing the word step.

"Yes, but I didn't ask for them. Thank you anyway," I say.

"Sure, I'll just leave them right here on the bench," he says reaching down to put the boxes on a small seat.

I let out an annoyed sigh and make my way over. He rubs his hands together and gets down on the ground in front of me like he's proposing. Ellen always puts the shoes on her customers, that and she's terrified of someone stealing them. One customer at a time is her policy.

"Foot please Cinderella?" he asks.

I shake my head and shove my foot at him. Carefully he slips the heel off like he's been doing this for years. I highly doubt he's worked in shoe sales for years, his technique is probably something he uses in the bedroom to undress his, oh god. His dark eyes find mine and I find myself looking away, my cheeks flush for even thinking that. I do not think about men. Shoes. Just think shoes. I open my eyes, shit I hadn't realized I had them closed. He's watching me closely as he puts the gorgeous black pump onto my foot.

With both on I check the mirror on the side of the bench. I twist my foot around. It's not as nice as I'd thought. It looked so much different online. I may have to pass up on this one, but that only leaves me with five minutes to chose another. I start to panic, because I need a shoe. I cannot go home empty handed today of all days.

"I want something else," I say like I'm ordering him around.

"We close in three minutes," he says looking down at a sporty looking watch.

"That's plenty of time," I tell him.

"Two minutes," he says.

"What do you have like some kind of Valentines date or something? She can't wait a few extra minutes for you?" I ask. "Just one more shoe," I demand.

He sighs.

"Fine, what shoe can I get for her majesty," he mocks.

I scroll through the phone and show him a black shoe with a small thin heal and an open back. He nods his head, and grabs the box for the shoes I'd just tried on. I go to run a hand through my messy brown hair when the box next to me crashes to the ground. I look down, I thought he'd taken the box... oh, those are the boots. They lay on the ground peaking out of the box ever so slightly. I look towards the back room to see if he's coming, no sign of the guy yet.

My eyes dart back to the opened box on the floor. I sigh, then look towards the backroom and back to the boots. I kick the box with my bare foot and sigh. The box opens a bit more and I can see more of the boot. They are kind of cute. I like how they would be great for the winter. My ankles get so cold wandering through the city. I have many dresses that could match them. I'm afraid to cheat on my pumps. I kick the box again and notice it's a Louie. I love Louie. I feel like I'm starting to sweat even on this cold winter night. The guy still has not returned with the shoe so I reach for the boot and throw it onto my foot. It warms my toes and I feel a new sensation take over. God I'm weird. The back door opens and out walks the guy. I try to push the boot off before he comes back, but I've already been caught.

"Decided to try something new?" he questions.

"It just fell and I stuck my toe in there and.... Oh," I say my voice squeaks on the "oh".

"Right," he says pushing the right boot back on.

His hand runs just past the top of the boot, and I shiver. He looks up at me like he felt it too. I bite down on my lip, then look up at the ceiling as he pushes the boot onto my foot. He stands first then holds out his hand for me. I take it and he pulls me up, clearly not used to boots I stumble into him. His hard chest twitches under my hand. I pull away quickly and almost fall backwards, but he catches me again.

"Woah there," he says with a smile.

"I'm alright, get your paws off of me," I say.

I finally pull myself together and stand without an issue. Its soft and warm inside this boot, but I'm falling in love. I want to cover the pumps so they can't see that I'm cheating on them. Okay I really should stop, they are just boots. I turn and stumble again right into his arms.

"You've got to stop doing that, I might drop you," he says half a smile playing on his face.

"These are... comfortable," I say.

"I told you trying something different wouldn't be too bad," he tells me.

Without hesitation I tell him I'll take them. He leads me to the register and starts to ring me up. I look at the time on my phone it's nine fifteen already.

"Thank you," I say.

"For what?" he asks.

"Staying open for me," I say.

"Sure," he says sounding a bit annoyed now.

He hands me the bag after I've swiped my car and signed. I wave goodbye and head out into the night. It feels weird leaving without pumps, but I feel kind of good about it. My phone is blowing up with messages from Aria telling me about her engagement. I send a bunch of emoji's and keep walking. I love the city at night, it's always so busy and there's always something going on.

I spend about an hour walking around clutching my newly purchased boots in my arms. I'm close to my apartment and just passing the twenty four hour diner two blocks away. I start walking past the glass windows when a familiar face catches my eye. He looks different without a suit on. I don't stop and stare but somehow he knows I'm watching. His dark... sad eyes reach mine. I keep walking away from him because I don't want to know. Guys are better off just watching from a distance, if you get too close you get burned.

At the end of the building I let out a frustrated sigh. I walk back and take the five steps up into the diner. I walk by the lady at the front and head towards his table. He's got his head in his hands until I clear my throat.

"This seat taken?" I ask.

"Not anymore," he sighs heavily.

I slide into the booth placing my shoes and purse beside me.

"Did I make you late for something?" I ask.

He nods.

"Do you love her?" I ask him.

He shakes his head, "Did," he says.

"What changed your mind?" I ask.

He sighs again and looks at me like I'm crazy. Like why would he open up to a stranger. He pulls his phone from his pocket and shows me a picture of a girl at a party making out with some guy.

"Ah! How'd you get the evidence?" I ask.

"A friend," he says.

"She's not worth it," I tell him. "No girl is... no guy is... the only person you can trust is yourself," I say.

"Who pissed in you're Louie Vuitton's?"

I laugh, but it comes out as a snort. His lips pull into a real smile now, and I can't help but stare at the tiny dimples on his cheeks. He's cuter than I thought.

"It's complicated," I tell him.

"I've got all night," he says.

"Me too," I whisper.

It was easier than I thought, telling a stranger how my heart was torn from my chest and stomped on repeatedly by someone I'd loved since I was ten. I'm not sure where he stands, but it seemed to be easier on him too. His relationship wasn't as long as mine, but we'd both been cheated on more than once by the same person. We discovered that we both kept going back to them even when we knew we'd get our heart broken again. A weight has been lifted off my shoulder.

He walks me to my apartment building. It's freezing, but we both barely notice.

"This is me," I say.

"Cool," he says.

"Thank you for um... I don't know letting me sit with you," I say.

"Thank you for barging in on what was supposed to be my proposal," he says.

I clasp my hands over my mouth.

"You left that part out," I say.

"I know," he says.

"I'm sorry," I tell him.

"Don't be if it wasn't for her cheating on me I would have never bumped into you," he says. "For a second time," he adds.

I laugh.

"Would you maybe want to get coffee sometime?" he asks. "Just as friends, we can talk about shoes or something," he says.

"Shoes or something," I laugh. "How do you know so much about..."

"Ellen's my mom," he says. That totally makes sense.

"What's your name by the way?" he asks.

"Zoey, yours?" I ask.

"Marc," he says,

"Goodnight Zoey," he says walking away.

"Goodnight Marc."

He watches me go inside. When I get to my door I notice it's open a bit. Shit. My heart pounds in my chest as I grab the bat I hid by the door. I turn on the light and slowly walk towards my room. My stuff is tossed everywhere. I get to my room push open the door and that's when I see my closet door open. I head right for the closet and pull open the doors the rest of the way. Not one shoe is left. I take a deep breath. I'm more afraid than anything. Although I should be more upset that was thousands of dollars of shoes, but then I look down at the bag in my hand and smile. I think about my night with Marc and how he opened up after only knowing me for twenty minutes. Maybe there is someone out there for me, someone who won't break my heart. Someone I can fall for like I'd fallen for my shoes. For the first time in five years I feel like I can breathe again, and all it took was my entire collection of shoes to be stolen. Oh, and one amazing night with a guy I could enjoy getting to know.