"Hold your horses!" the Canadian's voice called from the other side of the door.

Stephanie raised her eyes heavenward and shook her head.  Then, checking her watch, she smirked as though her friend could see her.

"Why do you people always say we are the ones who take forever getting ready to go out?  That's a load of bull!  Whatever male chauvanist made that up obviously never met you!"

About a second after those words escaped her lips, the bathroom door opened, and Edge stepped out to join her in the hotel room proper.

Stephanie's lips curved into an approving smile, her right eyebrow raising.

"I just wanted to make myself presentable, that's all..." the tall blond man explained.  He was freshly shaved except for his goatee, and he was wearing a pair of black cargos and a black button-down shirt that fit his chisled form appreciatively.

"Oh, please!" the brunette quipped.  "I've got news for you, blondie - you could be dressed in an old potato sack and not have shaved for a week - and you would still make all the girls go weak in the knees..."

And just as those words left her lips, the visage of another blond man she knew came into her mind - along with another sense of wistfulness.  Why couldn't she have gotten up the nerve to ask Chris to dinner or something?  They were friends, for Christ's sake!  They were putting this whole Edge-Lita thing together - putting Edge and Lita together, at that!  So, why did she have to feel so shy around him when it came to themselves?

Stephanie knew the answer to that one - it was because she liked him.  She really, truly honestly liked Chris Jericho...

Who would've thought?  Life is strange, she thought sardonically.

She wondered why she was dressed so nicely tonight, when she knew she didn't have any plans for Valentine's Day.  Then, glancing down at herself, taking in the snug-fitting deep red crushed velvet top and black leather miniskirt she was wearing, she let out an audible sigh.

"Hey, are you okay?" Edge asked, and when she looked up to meet his eyes, she saw that he looked a little worried about her.

"Yeah, I'm fine..." Stephanie replied.  "Why?"

"Well, you just look a little sad, that's all."

"Oh...Yeah, I guess you can say I sort of am."

The blond man cocked his head slightly as he regarded her with concern.  "Anything you want to talk about?"

The brunette made a strange but not unpleasant face as she considered it.  "It's just...Well, I'm regretting something - regretting not doing something, actually," she admitted.

"Oh?"

"I wish I'd had the nerve to open my mouth and ask a certain someone for a date for tonight," she continued.  "But...Well, call me old-fashioned, but I kind of think the guy should be the one to do that, especially on a day as romantic as Valentine's Day."

Edge shrugged.  "I don't know...Personally, I think I'd like it if a woman I really liked asked me out."

"You would?"  Stephanie's expression looked surprised as she met his eyes.

"Yeah, I would...It shows initiative, and I like initiative in a person - especially in a woman."

The brunette smiled a little.  "Me too.  I mean, I've always considered myself a go-getting type of girl.  I like to take the initiative.  But I guess I'm just a bit insecure when it comes to this one guy and me."  She looked down and shook her head.

"Stephanie McMahon insecure?" the Canadian asked incredulously.  "I can't believe that..."  Then, hiding the smirk that suddenly threatened, he asked, "Who's this guy you're referring to, anyway?"

She responded in a voice so soft he could hardly hear it - but he managed to make out her words.

"Chris...Chris Jericho..."