It's late on a Friday night and here I set in my office going over our busiest month coming up.

We can't seem to make enough candy for Valentine's Day. You wouldn't think a small town like Keene, New Hampshire would be this busy.

People come near and far for my grandfather Santiago's candy.

My grandfather started this business over forty years ago and then my dad took over and well now here I am.

I love making chocolate it's in my soul and I just want everything perfect for Valentine for all of the happy couples which is not me.

I've been single for a while now because most guys are just jerks. Sure they will wine and dine you just to get in your pants and then you get ghosted.

I really thought my ex was the one. I spent two years thinking he was going to propose for him to go away on a trip with his family and hooked up with some girl and got her pregnant and he thought I would just be ok with that.

I shook that out of my mind and was writing down what candies we need to make.

Of course, the milk chocolate hearts are the favorites at Valentine's but I want to add my favorite candy to the mix.

Egg nog truffles and Polar bear claws are always a hit even for valentine's.

I decide its time to go back to my apartment and eat some ramen noodles and go to sleep.

I set the alarm and head out to my car and drive to my apartment.

By the time I get inside, I'm exhausted because it's 1 am and I need to be back in there in the morning at 8.

I make my noodles and look over emails and texts that I have missed throughout the day.

One was from my best friend Ali wanting to hang out tonight. I wish I could of but I'm just too busy to even think about going out.

📱 Ali I'm sorry I didn't get back to you I just got home. I'm just too busy with Valentine's coming up but we will get together soon.

📱 Sounds good! I want some egg nog truffles, please. Nite VV.

📱 You got it! Nite love ya.

I finish eating my noodles and fall into bed with my clothes on. I'm just too tired to even change.

The next morning when the alarm goes off I didn't want to get up but I know I have people depending on me.

Come on Vaylin get up! You arent a spring chick anymore.

I hopped in the shower and when I got out my hair was soaking wet but I'm just going to bake today so I will just pile it on top of my head wet.

I get dressed and grab the clean aprons that I washed and head out to my BMW. That is the only thing I bothered to spend money on was my M4.

When I walk into Candy Rush I find Hailey, Elena, and Issac already working on chocolate.

"Good morning guys!"

"Morning boss!"

"So since it February first it's time for some chocolate and today I want to make egg nog truffles and polar bear paws"

"I already have the chocolate out for you," Issac said.

"Thanks! Let me go lay my crap down and I'll be back. I got clean aprons if you guys need one."

I walk to my office and put my stuff down and go to walk out when my phone rings.

☎️ Hello?

☎️ Morning sweetheart! I just wanted to check on you with it being February first.

☎️ I wish you were here dad!

☎️ Florida is nice this time of year.

☎️ Oh I bet it is. I am about to get started on egg nog truffles and polar bear paws.

☎️ Sounds delicious! Well, I will let you go. Your mother said hello. Love you Vaylin.

☎️ Love you too dad.

I put my phone in my back pocket and walk out to only find Issac working on chocolate.

"Where did your help go?"

"Hailey went get more chocolate and Elena went to ring some people up."

It was another very long day and long after my employees were gone I was still working on the polar bear paws.

I looked up at the clock and it was 11 pm. I took my apron off and sit it on my desk and got the chocolates in the freezer and I decided to call it a night.

Once home I noticed an envelope taped to my door. What is this?

I snatch it off the door and head inside. I lay my stuff down and go change my clothes before sitting down opening the envelope.

Wow someone is going to be upset that they didn't get this letter but I think it was put on my door by mistake.

I have no idea someone that I made memories with that I would like to see again.

I put the letter back in the envelope and set it on the counter before eating a TV dinner in front of the television.

I don't really know anyone that lives near me and maybe it was for them. I know the neighbor beside me is an old man and I doubt it's for him.

I cut the tv off and throw my container in the trash and head toward my bedroom.

Why do I feel extra lonely during this time of the year? I love making chocolate and I love the thought of love like my parents have but I'm not sure that's in the cards for me.

I'm so busy and anyway love is nothing but a disaster for me. I always get cheated on.

I can't even stand the thought that the man I thought I loved had a baby with someone else.

I smack the bed with my hands and groan before putting my phone on the bedside table and falling off to sleep dreaming of polar bear paws.