In truth, Alex hadn't realized it was Valentine's Day. She'd just wanted to spend time with Kyle. She hadn't been sure whether she was asking him on a date or just asking him to hang out at a coffee shop, but she'd worked up the nerve and asked him and then, half an hour later, she'd remembered.

Mentally kicking herself, she showed up to the not-date several minutes early, ordered herself a cup of black coffee, and sat there nervously waiting for him to arrive. When he finally did, she returned the smile. Hopefully he wouldn't make a big deal about it. It was just coffee, after all. It wasn't like she'd asked him out for dinner and dancing. "Hi."

The box of chocolate was completely unexpected, and she took it slowly. Chocolate was definitely romantic. You didn't buy your platonic coffee friend a box of chocolates on Valentine's Day, even if it wasn't heart-shaped.

She leaned towards him and said quietly, as though confiding a secret, "I forgot what day it is. The chocolate is nice, really, but I didn't mean--"