“Happy Valentine’s Day, baby,” Alex Shelly said holding a single red rose in front of his fiancé’s face.

The petite raven haired beauty smiled wide accepting it. Her crystal blue eyes twinkling as she faced him and placed a feather light kiss on his lips. “Thank you, sweetheart,” Rayne Waltham said.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Ally,” Alex said to Rayne’s best friend, Allison Carter. “You got any plans for tonight?”

“Oh you know, the usual,” Allison replied. “Staying in, watching some romantic comedies.” And crying my eyes out she thought.

Rayne sighed. It had been months since Allison’s relationship with Petey Williams had ended. He had moved on and left the company. Allison had been stuck in the past, wondering what she had done wrong.

In truth Petey had done the kind thing in ending the relationship. He realized he didn’t feel the same way that Allison had and knew she’d be hurt more in the long run if he kept things going. He had agonized over the decision knowing how much it would hurt her. When he was finally released from his contract it proved to be the perfect opportunity to let her down easy.

“Hey, you can always hang out with us,” Alex offered, sensing her unsaid words. He had seen the pain in her jade green eyes, despite her attempt to hide it from her friends.

“No, you guys have a nice night. It’s not often you get some alone time,” Allison replied.

“Hey guys,” Chris Sabin greeted the group. He had one hand hidden behind his back.

Rayne arched a brow at him. “Chris? What are you up to?”

“Oh nothing,” he smiled. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Ally.” He produced a small box of conversation hearts.

Allison chuckled accepting the gift. Sabin had been one of the friends Petey had turned to for advice on how to let Allison down. He had stepped in to pick up the pieces in his long time friend’s absence. In the months since then he had developed feelings for her.

Alex smiled at the gesture, knowing what his friend had planned for that night. “Rayne, why don’t we go see if JB is available to do our interview segment.” She nodded and gave a reassuring smile to her friend before heading off with Alex.

“Was it something we said,” Allison asked with a smile. It never quite reached her eyes.

“Actually I’m glad that they’re gone because…”

“Ally, come on,” Roxxi called. “We’re up next.”

“Hold that thought, Chris,” she said handing the box of candy back to him. “I have a match. Meet me at my hotel room later and we can talk.”

“Right,” Sabin sighed as he watched her jog to meet Roxxi.

The remainder of the night they were kept busy with various aspects of doing the show. Alex watched as Sabin somberly packed his bag when it was finally time to leave. He couldn’t understand why he was so sad.

“Dude, what’s going on?”

“I never got to talk to Ally,” Sabin sighed and showed Alex the box of candies she had given back to him. “She had a match with Roxxi and then we got busy doing things. It’s just been too busy to talk.”

“So, go to her room and talk then,” Alex suggested.

“Yeah, she asked me to stop by,” Sabin replied. “I just…what if I freak her out? What if she doesn’t think of me like that?”

“Bro, calm down,” Alex replied. “The worst she can say is no to your proposition. You’ll still be friends, right?”

“I guess so. It might be a little awkward,” Sabin replied.

“Don’t worry about that,” Alex replied. “You guys have always had an easy friendship. Besides that sometimes the best romances blossom from friendships. She may not be ready tonight, but eventually she’ll realize what a catch you are.” Sabin smiled. “Now, go get your hottie, ya sexy bitch.” Sabin chuckled shaking his head at his friend as he grabbed his bag and left.

~~~~~

Sabin took a breath to calm his nerves, rubbing his hands on his pants to dry his sweaty palms. In his pocket was the small box of conversation hearts. When he felt comfortable enough he knocked on Allison’s door.

She answered it a wide smile spreading over her lips seeing him. She had changed into a pair of pink silk pajama bottoms and a white tank top. Her auburn hair was pulled into a braid at the nape of her neck.

“Come on in,” she said. “I just found The Princess Bride when I was flipping through the channels.”

“Actually I was hoping we could talk,” Sabin replied entering the room and closing the door behind him. “You left this behind when you left earlier.” He pulled the box of candies out of his pocket and handed it to her.

“Oh, Chris,” she said taking it from him. “I’m sorry. I totally forgot about them after my match.”

“It’s all right,” he smiled taking a seat on the bed. She sat next to him, folding her legs under her. “Listen…I…um…why don’t you open the box?”

“I’m not really in the mood for chalky candies,” she chuckled.

“No, there’s something important written on them,” he replied, taking the box and dumping out a handful of hearts. He looked at them and found the one he was looking for. “Here.” He handed her a yellow heart.

“You’re hot,” she read off of it and laughed. “Well, thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.” He smiled and found another heart. She accepted the pale pink heart and read it. “#1 Fan.” She looked at him with a questioning look, wondering where he had gotten the candies.

“Read this one,” he said handing her a pale purple heart.

“Dream Team,” she read aloud. “Chris, what is this?” He handed her a pale green heart, not saying a word. She took it and read it. “Be Mine?” She looked at him, questions swimming in her green eyes.

“I’ve wanted to ask you for a while,” he admitted shyly. “It just never seemed to be the right time. I didn’t think that you were over Petey yet.”

“It still hurts,” she admitted. “But I realize now that he did it to be kind.” She looked down at the hearts in her hand and smiled. “Did you have these specially made?” He blushed and nodded. “That was very sweet of you.”

“So, do you have an answer to my question,” he asked pointing to the green heart.

Allison thought it over in her mind. “I think,” she said speaking slowly. “That it’s time I moved on.”

“What does that mean,” he asked moments before she leaned forward and kissed him softly. When she pulled away he wore a wide smile on his face. “Does that mean yes?” She chuckled and nodded, ruffling his sandy hair.