33

Elise

I GOT UP before Anna completely lost it. She was covering her entire face with her hands, feeling incredibly embarrassed that Gian heard what she said. She was also extremely thrilled.

“It’s Valentine’s Day, so I brought flowers for two single, beautiful ladies I know are here. Here’s for you, Anna.”

Anna quickly extended her right hand to take the flowers and chocolates, while still covering half her face with the other hand. “Thank you, Gian. Happy Valentine’s Day! Eeeeh!”

Still screeching the longest screech ever, she turned and ran back to the beach house.

Gian and I laughed while watching her, and Tootsie, who momentarily didn't know whether to follow or stay, eventually ran after her. Tootsie was, for all intents and purposes, really Anna’s dog.

Then Gian turned to me. An awkward moment passed as he seemed unsure of what to say.

“I thought you didn’t do Valentine’s?”

He handed me a box with a long-stemmed rose and a ribbon-tied chocolate bar. “I don’t want you to be lonely