Hello hello! Happy Valentine's Day Everyone! My gift to you is another story for you to enjoy until the next chapters to my other stories are finished. This is a small three parter so enjoy the pining and bughead goodness!

The skies over New York city illuminated with streaks of lighting while big drops of rain pounded down to the streets. Like most people, Betty Cooper hurried down the sidewalk wanting to get to her destination with at least one dry article of clothing. She made sure to say under the many awnings that lined the streets hoping that would help. So far so good. Maybe by the time she got the place where she was supposed to meet her friends and roommate for a couple of drinks without the need to turn around to change. Sure, Betty could have gotten one of the many taxis that filled the roadways of downtown Manhattan, but she was only going down a block and was halfway there when the sky opened up. A few more long strides down to the corner of Park Ave and 79th Ave where the pub was located. Betty had to wait to let the doorway clear of people before she was able to go inside. The warm atmosphere was cool against her wet skin that made her shiver as she scanned the place for her friends.

It did not take long for her to spot the raven-haired girl when she raised a well-manicured hand into the air waving at her. The guy next to her in a green sweater turned around greeting her with a dimpled smile. "Betty," He said getting off of his stool walking over to her.

"Sorry, I am late Kevin," Betty breathed shaking her arms flinging water everywhere. "Hey Veronica," She smiled as her best friend of several and roommate wrapped her up in a hug. "I haven't seen you since this morning."

"I know, but I needed a hug," Veronica swept her eyes over Betty's wet figure. "Why didn't you call me when you were done working? I could have had Smithers pick you up."

Betty did a facepalm. "Because I am an idiot and forgot all about him. It only just started raining on the way here. Is Jughead here yet?" She asked Veronica looking around the bar the man in question.

Veronica shook her head. "No, he is not here yet." Veronica glanced over at Kevin who seemed to be checking out the bartender's ass. "When are you going to tell him how you feel?" She whispered.

Betty's shoulders sagged at the question. "I don't know," She whispered back. "I want to but what if Jug doesn't feel the same way? One peep from me could ruin everything. I even tried to move on by going on those dates you have set me up on."

"Betty," Veronica began pulling her over to the bar waving at a girl behind the bar. She walked over to them. "Can I get two Strawberry Cosmos, please?" The girl nodded and walked off to go make them. Veronica turned back to Betty pushing her down into a stool before taking one herself. "Betty, I don't think you have anything to worry about in that department. Have you seen the way that man looks at you?" Veronica asked her crossing her leg at her knees. "And they only reason I set you up on those dates because I had no idea that you had feelings for Jughead. Even though I should have picked up on it years ago."

"I do, but I don't want to get my hopes up. You saw what happened with Archie," Betty reminded Ronnie and the girl returned with their drinks. "Thanks." She said to the girl and helped herself to a sip. "I don't want to lose my best friend again. It took forever for it to stop being weird between me and Archie."

"That because Archie always thought with his dick rather than his mind," Ronnie snarked setting her glass down. Betty smirked at her and Veronica narrowed her eyes at her. "Don't you even say it," She warned the blond.

Betty bit down on her lip then zipped her lips and threw the invisible key over her shoulder. "I wasn't going to say a word. How's Reggie?"

"That's my girl," Veronica nodded approvingly. "Reggie is great. I hope we didn't keep you up last night," She said in a low voice and Betty gave her a confused look.

"Reggie stayed over last night? I think I was out of it. Mr. Thomas had me running all over the city for him." Betty sighed. "My feet still hurt from yesterday."

"They better treat you like the queen you are," Veronica muttered. "I think a spa day is in order soon." She suggested.

"A spa day," Betty said dreamily thinking about the beautiful place in her mind. "It is sooo needed." Betty agreed.

"Consider it in the works," Veronica quipped excitedly and then something towards the door caught her chocolate eyes. "Looks like your Romeo has arrived. " She said causing Betty to turn around and boy her eyes laid on a feast that was Jughead Jones. The sight of the man in question had her reaching for her drink. He was wearing his sherpa jean jacket that had many signs of wear and tear. Betty could see flashes of his black and white plaided shirt sticking out from underneath the jacket. His dark blue jeans molded to his bottom half in a way that should be considered illegal. The white S on his black shirt matched his suspenders. The only thing that didn't go with the outfit was the stretched out crown beanie on his head. But it did something it would do on another person and that was complete the look.

"Betty…You are drooling."

Betty snapped back around to see Veronica laughing at her as she wiped at her chin. "I am not," She grumbled picking up a napkin suspenser using the steel to check her face.

"I know, but you were so entranced by lover boy that you couldn't hear me speaking," Veronica pointed out with a knowing grin. "Oh girl, you have it bad." She sighed and Betty bent forward burying her head in her arms on the bar.

"I know I do," Betty moaned into her arms. "I think I need to get a good romp." She muttered sitting up to see Veronica staring at her wide-eyed.

"And you could get one, but you would have to find your lady balls and tell Jughead how you feel. I mean the flirting and the eye sex that the two of you have. It enough to set the Empire State Building up in flames."

Betty rolled her eyes. "Oh, it is not that bad." She muttered lowly.

Veronica raised a thin eyebrow at her. "Oh really? Should I get Kevin and ask him?" Veronica looked over to their friend who was now buttering up to the bartender. Veronica shook her head. "Does that boy have no shame?"

"Kevin knows?" Betty asked her and Veronica dipped her head.

"Honey, he was the one who opened my eyes to it. You know how he loves to play matchmaker. Kevin has been trying to play matchmaker with you since our Sophmore year." Veronica smiled at her

"So that is why he was doing all those weird things with us," Betty trailed off as her eye narrowed. "That Jerk."

"Ha ha! Hey there Jughead. Nice of you to join us." Betty turned to see Jughead standing next to them.

"Actually, it is nice of you to notice me," Jughead said to Veronica. "I was only standing here for about five minutes," he said with a shrug of his shoulders and Betty felt an ice bath wash through her veins. Veronica gave her a worried glance which told her Veronica was thinking the same thing. Betty took a big gulp of her drink before turning to Jughead and her palms began to sweat. She decided to play it cool as Jughead took a seat next to her. Play it cool, she told herself again.

"How was your day Jug?" Betty asked in a shaky voice sucking on the strawberry that was in her drink. Betty didn't miss the way Jughead's eyes narrowed in on to her lips. Whenever they were together, there was always a seed of hope inside of her that seemed to grow a little. Just like it was in this moment. Maybe Veronica was right...Maybe he did feel...But was her heart worth risk...with her best friend… Again?

Next chapter coming now...