She got closer and I replied. “Not Ang.” She gasped when she saw what was before her. It was a private location on the beach. I stood there in bare feet, jeans, a loose-fitted silky red shirt, my hair down and curly, and a single red rose in my hand. Behind me was a blanket, a radio playing soft music, a picnic basket full of fruit and chocolates, a bottle of wine with two glasses, and rose petals scattered across the blanket.

            “Happy Valentine’s Day baby,” I said softly.

            She started to walk towards me slowly, still unable to speak at what was in front of her. She picked up her pace a little bit, and without even saying a word, she grabbed my face and kissed me passionately. After a few minutes, she pulled away. “I thought you didn’t do Valentine’s Day.”

            “I don’t,” I replied. “But you do. I just wanted to make you smile.”

            “Well you did it, I can’t stop.”

            “Good,” I replied, walking her over to the blanket. We sat down, having light conversation, as I poured us each a glass of wine.

            “What’s in the basket?” she asked.

            “Aren’t we impatient?” she turned red at this, a little embarrassed. “I’m kidding,” I said, opening the basket. “I knew you already ate, so I just thought we’d do dessert. Chocolate covered strawberries to be exact.”

            “Oh God. Give me”

            “Wait, now,” I said as I pulled one out and reached out my hand to feed it to her. She took it in her mouth, never taking her eyes away from mine. We sat for a little while longer, having light conversation and drinking a little wine. Then N’Sync’s “This I Promise You” came on the radio I had brought.

            “Okay,” she said, “don’t make fun of me, but I love this song.”

            I smiled, I secretly loved the song too. I turned up the volume a little bit and stood up, reaching my hand down to her. “Dance with me?”

            She smiled and took my hand, getting up to dance with me. I pulled her in close to me, with my hands around her waist, hers around my shoulder, and our other hands intertwined. We moved so slowly to the music, not saying a word. This just felt so perfect, I loved being here with her. Her smell was intoxicating. That’s when it hit me for the first time; I was in love with her. I knew I was in the process of falling, but here I was, in love with Spencer Carlin. At this realization, I pulled her in closer to me, putting both my hands around her waist and hers around my shoulder so we were basically in a swaying hug. I kissed her cheek softly and then pressed out cheeks close together, moving with her. We were still silent and I was wondering if she felt the same way I did. I began to softly sing the lyrics to her as we were nearing the end of the song I wanted to keep playing forever.