Rachel flipped the station on the secondhand radio that rested on the sink counter of the apartment. "All I hear these days are love songs, love songs, and more love songs," she whined.
Kurt fiddled with the humidifier in the middle of the room. "Are you just bitter over not getting another letter from Finn since January? He's busy and doesn't have much time to write," Kurt reasoned.
Rachel turned the radio to off. "I'm just sick of hearing the same old thing over and over," she pouted. "I'd feel the same way even if Finn was here."
"Suit yourself," Kurt reasoned, giving the humidifier machine a smack. "Remind me not to go cheap with necessary appliances."
Rachel crossed into her corner of the apartment. "Maybe Brody has a humidifier you can borrow."
Kurt wrinkled his nose at the mention of Brody Weston, who over the past month had become an unofficial 'third roommate'. "Is he coming over again?"
"He's picking me up for an extra dance practice – Cassandra July does not let up for anything."
"He sure has a lot of free time to devote to you."
Rachel stuck her head out of her bedroom. "We're friends; this is what friends do for each other."
"Well can you please remind your 'friend' not to eat my food? I'm starting to think we should be charging him rent."
Changed into her athletic dancewear, Rachel reached for her duffle bag. "I will reimburse you for your Frosted Flakes," she acquiesced.
"This is bigger than cereal!"
Rachel let out a heavy sigh. "We can talk about it after rehearsal. Goodness knows neither one of us has any special plans tonight on what is supposed to be one of the most romantic nights of the year."
"Speak for yourself, I've got a phone date with Blaine tonight," Kurt pointed out with a smirk.
"On Valentine's Day," Rachel said with a raised eyebrow. "I guess you two really are patching things up."
"Neither one of us is seeing anyone and we enjoy talking to one another."
"I think it's great."
"What's great?" Brody asked, sauntering into the room.
Kurt felt the hair on the back of his neck go up as he heard Brody's voice. "He has a key?" he mouthed to Rachel.
"For emergencies," Rachel whispered back. "He's going through some roommate stuff and needs a place to be sometimes." Rachel turned to Brody. "Hey there. Kurt was just saying –"
"How great it is that you have time to work with Rachel today," Kurt finished, sending Rachel a look that indicated that she shouldn't be sharing his business with Brody.
"I have plenty of time for my favorite freshman," Brody smirked.
Rachel felt her cheeks turning a shade of pink. "You must not hang out with many underclassmen."
"Just the ones that matter – I can spot talent a mile away."
"Cassandra July says the same thing, but never about me." Rachel crinkled her nose. "Shall we go?"
"Happy Valentine's Day," Kurt called out, holding his cereal box to his chest.
Rachel stretched on the dance mat after an hour of hardcore work. "You could make a living doing this, teaching students."
"It's s hobby," Brody said, handing her a cold water bottle. "Cassandra keeps me busy all the time."
"Does she?" Rachel pressed, reaching for her water bottle. "What kind of stuff does she have you doing?"
"Boring stuff like organizing files. I run errands for her from time to time. I assist on dance arrangements, posting grades for classes, keeping her in shape."
"What was that last one? Keeping her in shape?"
"She's always looking for the next big project for herself, maybe theatre, she wants to stay ready."
"Staying ready," Rachel nodded. "I guess I didn't realize how much time you too spent together."
"Jealous?" Brody asked with a wink.
"Hardly," Rachel insisted. "It's just 'interesting' that she takes up so much of your time."
"She takes care of me and I take care of her," Brody said, finishing the subject. "Any plans for you and Army Man tonight?"
"Oh, you must mean Finn," Rachel corrected, tying her shoes. "We were finally able to have a video chat two weeks ago, and we still get letters, but nothing tonight."
"Army Man keeps to himself?"
"His name is Finn," Rachel said sharply. "And he doesn't talk about all of the training for security purposes, and it's very intense work."
"Sorry," Brody said quietly. "I just hope that 'Finn' appreciates what he has."
"He does. We were engaged to be married before I came to New York."
"You're not engaged anymore?"
"The distance put us on pause for being engaged, and we're both so young, and…"
"I get it, you want to wait and see, make sure he's the guy for you."
"Finn is the guy for me," Rachel said with certainty. "I just wish I could see him more."
"Well if you want to see someone tonight, I could squeeze you in after I visit Cassie."
"You're seeing Cassandra July on Valentine's Day!"
"It's just another day for her," Brody said. "Speaking of which, I have to get going. Why don't I stop by tonight and we'll take it from there?"
"O-okay," Rachel said, stumbling over her words, feeling a rush of guilt at making plans with someone else on what was supposed to be the most romantic day of the year.