9:00

I told Roy I didn't want anything for Valentine's Day, I don't think he'll take it seriously. We are engaged! Whatever he does, I'm sure that it'll be meaningful

9:30

No flowers from Roy.

10:00

Flowers arrive for Phyllis. Again no flowers from Roy.

11:00

I think everyone in the office is noticing that I'm missing flowers from Roy. I'm sure my desk won't be empty by the end of the day. More flowers came for Phyllis.

11:30

Even Jim was starting to pity me when the fifth bouquet came for Phyllis. Again, no flowers from Roy.

12:00

Lunch break with Jim. I asked him who his valentine was. He said he didn't have one this year and steered the conversation away.

12:00

Flowers at my desk! I knew Roy would come around. I love him so much. He's just so sweet!

12:30

The flowers were for Phyllis. Again.

1:00

Maybe I shouldn't have expected flowers from Roy. We did say that we were going to save money this year. I shouldn't expect anything from him.

1:30

If I can't expect him to remember to do anything for valentine's day, what can I expect from him? He could have written a note on a piesce of blank paper and left it on my desk or visited me or snet me a rock that he write my name on or…or SOMETHING!

2:00

I guess I looked pretty bad considering I got an email from Jim asking me if a wanted to talk. I shook my head and gave him a weak smile.

2:30

Jim is so caring and considerate and he actually cares about how I feel or what I think. He just understands me. He probably knows me better than Roy.

3:00

Stop it! I love Roy with all of my heart. He's my fiancé! I love him and he loves me. We're in love and I'm getting married and I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have someone like Roy…Right?

3:30

What if Roy were a little more like Jim. More thoughtful, more respectful, considerate, loving, understanding, sweet, welcoming, funny, handsome…

4:00

…charming, perceptive, warm, friendly, adoring, gorgeous, fun, breathtaking, amazing, loyal, honest, generous…

4:30

I'm freaking myself out. All I've been able to think about for the past half hour is what if Jim were mine? What if he loved me? What if Roy never existed?

5:00

"Happy Valentine's Day." Three words spoken in his silky voice, made my heart beat a frenzy of unrecognizable patterns. He smiled his signature half smile that I had seen so many times before, only now it made my palms sweaty and my cheeks flush. His graceful walk and long lanky arms and legs made me grip onto my chair. I wanted to burst into tears and laugh uncontrollably at the same time. What is this feeling? I've never felt this way before. Even with Roy.

5:30

I'm finally done with my work and I trudge down to my car. I open the door and there, lying serenely on the chair is a small rectangular box wrapped in pink paper. I tear open the lid and look inside to find real professional quality watercolors tubes with a set of three paintbrushes! I grabbed the parcel and hugged it to my chest. I knew Roy would come around. How could I have ever doubted him, ever imagined a life with anyone but him by my side! Paints weren't cheap and the brushes were top of the line and outrageously expensive. Roy was so thoughtful and it must have taken him a lot to spend that kind of money on something for me. I love him! I love him! I love him! I'm going to marry him and make a family with him and grow old with him and… A small envelope slipped out of my grip. I tore it open and inside it said:

- Pam,

Happy Valentine's Day. Don't forget me when you're a famous artist.

-Jim

My heart sunk. What I had would never amount to anything. What I needed was just out of my grasp.