You can’t beat the adrenaline rush you get when being pulled over by a police officer. Such was my morning, slight mishap at the corner of Hollywood and Las Palmas.

So here’s the scene: I’m late for work, (as always), annoyed by traffic (who isn’t). I put the pedal to the medal to make a quick left on Las Palmas, but there’s an annoyingly slow pedestrian blocking my way. I slam on the breaks inches from her ass and when I look up I see one of the city’s finest, bike and all, coming at me. He smiles, I smile. He points at me, I wave. He gestures me over to the side of the road (a place I have been many times before). Wondering when the last time I attended traffic school was, I dig for my wallet, my ID, and vehicle registration, then place my hands at 10 and two.

He saunters up to my window. “Good Morning,” he says. “Sorry,” I say. wondering how much a ticket for almost hitting a pedestrian will be. Only he’s not interested in my infraction. It’s Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. He hands me a pen, a pencil, and a pink flyer with red hearts. Then he thanks me for being such a good citizen. He’s kind of cute, I think to myself. Possibly a little blind, but no matter, it’s the best gift I’ll get all day.

– Danielle Weinstock