Status Updates From Cupid's Shot (High Five Nov...

Aaron asks Sarah to be his girlfriend
She says yes

“Alexa, play ‘Love is a Bitch’ by Two Feet.”

Sarah walking up the stairs at Aaron’s house on Valentine’s Day
Listening to audiobook
Mine started playing this song

Aaron’s grocery trip
Valentine dinner

“Please don’t fuck this up, Aaron.”
I smile. “So, you like the idea of me and Sarah?”
“Yes.”
I point over my shoulder, happy to hear her approval. “I should get back to the bar.”
Emily’s blessing keeps a smile glued to my face as I head back. I really like the idea of Sarah and me too.

Aaron- Bar social dynamics begin whirling through my mind. Women flirt with me, and I, historically, have always given them a little flirt back. It’s part of being a bartender, after all.

Sarah- Surprised, I open the box and find a purple, heart-shaped cookie and a small card. In white icing, the cookie says, “Will you be my Valentine?” I smile, hoping it’s from Aaron, and open the card.
Roses are red, violets are blue, I’d like to cook dinner for you.
Your secret admirer,
Aaron Olson

Now she knows 💜

Spicy makeout session in stairwell 🌶️

“Do you want to come up?” Sarah asks, shivering.
“Of course—but not tonight.”
She moans a disappointed sound, and it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever heard.
“Counter offer,” she says, her teeth chattering. “Hot make out in my stairwell right now.”
“Lead the way.” I laugh.

Aaron- Holding Sarah’s hand as we walk from La Nonna to her studio, I only have a couple of minutes to make up my mind. Well, maybe less with how fast we are walking in the cold. Am I going to sleep with her? Or am I going to wait? I think she would say yes if it came up. I hope she would, but I can’t rush this. I shouldn’t rush this. I don’t want to rush this.

“Ready?” he asks, and I nod. He grabs my jacket, helping me put it on.
“Such a gentleman.”
“For now,” he whispers in my ear.
Fuck. Is this going to happen?

Leaving the restaurant after their dinner date

“Eh niente,” he says.
“So cultured,” I tease, waiting for him to tell me what that means.
“It’s nothing—in Italian.”
“I think tonight is much more than nothing.”
My tone is more honest and revealing than I’d like to let on, but it’s definitely true. All of the time I’ve spent with Aaron the last couple of days is anything but nothing. It’s everything.

“…What about you?”
“I’m working on figuring out how I’m going to see you again.”
“Swoon,” she teases. “I could always stop by the bar on Saturday and make your fan club jealous.”
“Fan club?” I groan at the insinuation.
“Wait!” she says, too excited. “Are you wearing your wings on Friday? I might have to come by if you are.”
“I think the wings were a one-night-only special.”

“Emily said something about there being a line out the door of girls trying to get with you.”
“And?”
“You’re really making me work for your answers here.” I squint at him.
“I told you: When you’re frustrated, you're cute. But … yeah, I never date locals. You should feel special that I'm breaking my little rule for you.”
“That’s my rule!” I nearly yell. “I don’t date locals.”

First kiss 💋

Flirting over brunch

My heart rate is telling me that I’m loving this flirting. I’m still reeling with the fact that I’m flirting with Aaron Olson. I need to get over my preconceived notions about him, like him being too “small town” for me. I am back to being a small-town person too, I remind myself.
Sarah

Sarah’s secret admirer sent a bouquet of purple flowers to her studio
Purple is her favorite color
💜

“You have my number now,” I manage, turned on and a bit rattled. “It's your move.” I wink and walk back to the bar.

Aaron to Sarah

He leans down, and I whisper in his ear, “Roses are red, violets are blue—” His laugh catches me off guard. I almost give up this wild idea but press on. “Give me your number so I can flirt with you.”

Sarah’s flirty poem to Aaron

“He’s too small town.”
“And we aren’t?” Rachel points at herself and Emily. I bite my lip, considering that. She has a point there. All of the grievances I would have against never leaving your small town would apply to both of them, yet I love them so much. They’re my best friends.

Aaron thinks back to senior year in high school
He wanted to ask Sarah to homecoming but didn’t (couldn’t?)

Effortlessly, I scoop her up into my arms, lifting her high above my head and to the side, like she’s my ballerina in a lift.
The camera flashes. But all too soon, it’s over. I set her down gently.
Her eyes rake over me, assessing, before she goes back to her resting sassy face. “That was perfect. Thank you.”

Aaron & Sarah
Photo pose