The morning started like any other race-free day—waking up a little later than usual, grabbing a coffee, and then heading out for some training. But as I stepped outside, I noticed something different. The city was painted in red and pink, hearts hanging in every shop window, couples walking hand in hand. It hit me then—I was completely alone on Valentine’s Day.

Not that I was expecting anything different. But lately, I couldn’t ignore the growing feeling in my chest every time I saw her.

I walked into a store. I picked up a giant teddy bear, one that looked as soft as she always said she loved. She liked to cuddle—she had even joked that if I wasn't around, she'd have to hug a pillow. Well, now she’d have something better.

Then, I stopped by her favorite sushi place. She loved sushi; I absolutely hated it. But that didn’t matter. I got her favorite rolls and grabbed some Chinese noodles for myself.

On the way out, I made one last stop—a flower shop. I knew exactly what to get. Her favorite flowers, the ones she always mentioned when we passed by a florist. I wanted everything to be perfect.

I knew she had just finished work, so I drove straight to her place. The second it opened, I didn’t give myself a chance to hesitate.

“I can’t do this anymore,” I blurted out, my heart hammering in my chest. Her eyes widened in confusion, but I pushed forward. “I can’t keep acting like you’re just my friend when every time I see you, I want to hold you, kiss you, be the guy you come home to. I know I should have said this sooner, but seeing other guys trying to win you over made me realize—I can’t let that happen. Because I want to be the one you choose.”

I held up the teddy bear, the flowers, and the food, suddenly feeling ridiculous. “So, I got you a bear to hug when I’m not around, sushi because I know you love it, and your favorite flowers because you deserve them. And I’m just hoping—praying—that maybe tonight, you’ll say yes when I ask if you’ll be my girlfriend.”