Keeley was quite depressed on Valentine's Day. Love filled the campus air, and she found it unbearable. She hadn't responded to Aaron's texts in days, further worsening her mood.

If he were there, he probably would have asked her to dinner, surprising her with sweet—though unexpectedly so, coming from him—talk. No, she had to stop thinking about him! Aaron was off-limits.

The day was agonizing. She watched other girls carry flowers, teddy bears, and chocolates, gushing about their boyfriends.

Her spirits were so low that she considered staying home and going to bed, but she didn't want to let Ryan down. As a fellow single person, he was probably as disheartened by the day as she was. She couldn't disappoint him.

With that in mind, she forced herself to go to the pizzeria and tried to maintain her end of the conversation.

"Keeley…are you alright?" Ryan asked with concern as they waited for their pizza.

She offered a strained smile. "I'm fine. It's just been a long day."

"You know I'm always here if you want to talk."

"I know. Really, it's not a big deal. I'll feel better after I sleep."

Their pizza arrived, and she snapped a picture for Instagram, captioning it, "Spending Valentine's Day with my one true love: pizza ❤️." Ryan's hand was barely visible in the corner, but she didn't think it was significant; no one would recognize him.

The food improved her mood somewhat, and she was able to laugh and joke with Ryan as usual. Coming out had been a better idea than staying home after all.

About twenty minutes later, a hand slammed onto the table, accompanied by a gust of cold air.

"Keeley," Aaron's voice—the one she'd been trying to forget—growled. "I need to talk to you."

Her eyes widened, and she instinctively recoiled from the chill. She hadn't seen him this angry since high school.

Ryan was clearly tense, looking ready to defend her. To avoid a confrontation, she plastered on a strained smile.

"Ryan, I'll only be a couple of minutes. Don't eat all the pizza without me, okay?"

"Alright," he muttered resentfully. "But if it's more than a couple of minutes, I'm coming outside."

Keeley followed Aaron outside, where he slammed his hand against the brick wall behind her, inches from her face.

"Why haven't you answered my messages, and what are you doing with that guy?"

He looked furious, but there was an undercurrent of hurt. She swallowed hard. This could be her chance to end things cleanly.

Keeping her voice calm, she said, "It's Valentine's Day; I'm on a date."

His anger intensified. "A date?"

"Yes, Aaron. A date. It's none of your business."

"Not my business? Anything to do with you is my business."

This had to change. He'd be engaged soon. They'd be nothing to each other.

"It really isn't. We're just friends; we don't have feelings for each other," she lied.

Aaron was struggling to control his emotions. Her heart ached, but she couldn't stop.

"You don't have feelings for me? Then who is it, that guy in there? Are you in love with him?" he demanded, his voice dangerously cold.

Time for the final blow. She'd been considering her most cutting remark all week. She decided to use his own words against him—one of the worst things he'd ever said.

"So what if I am? He's worth more than fifty of you," she said coldly.

Aaron was so shocked that his anger vanished. Seizing the opportunity, she returned to the restaurant.

'I'm sorry, Aaron,' she thought miserably, seeing him still frozen in place as she reached the door. 'I hope you find happiness.'

Ryan eyed her anxiously. Her dejection was evident. "Um…who was that?"

"My ex. Don't worry, I told him off," she said flatly.

Aaron would likely never speak to her again, which was what she wanted.

A stupid crush shouldn't hurt this much to end. Because that's all it was—a crush. She hadn't known this new Aaron well enough to love him, and now she was safe from that ever happening.

"The one who won't leave you alone? Keeley, that's really bad. How did he know you were here? Is he stalking you? Should I call the police?"

"No need. He won't be back."

He must have found her through Facebook—her Instagram was linked, and she'd tagged her location. Had he really come just to ask why she hadn't answered his texts? Wasn't he supposed to be in Chicago?

"Are you sure? Because—"

"Ryan. It's fine. Let's finish our pizza and go home."

Dinner was awkward and silent. Keeley knew Ryan had questions but was too polite to pry. He drove her home, and the ride was equally uncomfortable.

She thanked him for the ride and for spending time with her before rushing to the elevator. Alone, tears fell. It was over. She never had to worry about Aaron again.