In My Rearview Mirror, JACK.HUGHES

THIRTY SEVEN

As I wake up to the sweet smell of pancakes, my senses are immediately tantalized by the aroma. However, the creaking door interrupts my blissful moment, reminding me of a task I've been procrastinating on – oiling it to eliminate the irritating noise.

Groggily rubbing my eyes, I make a mental note to tackle that door later. Right now, the allure of breakfast in bed on Valentine's Day is too enticing to ignore. I sit up, stretching out the sleep from my muscles.

Braden enters with a plate of an insanely appetizing late breakfast. His greeting brings a smile to my lips despite the interruption.

"Hi, beautiful," he says, his eyes twinkling with affection.

I can't help but bite my lip as I glance over at the breakfast he's prepared for me. There's a colorful assortment of fruit accompanying the heart-shaped pancakes, with a generous drizzle of chocolate on top. My stomach growls in anticipation as I admire his effort and creativity.

"Oh my god, it's so sweet, Brad," I exclaim in awe, my hands instinctively covering my mouth. This gesture is one of the sweetest things a guy has ever done for me.

Curiosity piqued, I ask him what time he woke up to make such a beautiful breakfast. Braden admits he woke up early to make a stop at the grocery store to get the fruits, adding another layer of thoughtfulness to his gesture.

As he shyly asks me to be his Valentine for the day, hope evident in his eyes, I feel a rush of shyness myself. I scrunch my face slightly, but then nod in acceptance. His smile widens, and he leans in for a hug, which I eagerly reciprocate, feeling grateful for this unexpected but delightful Valentine's Day surprise.

As I finish my meal, Braden leans in closer, his voice filled with excitement and anticipation. "I have something special planned for us tonight. Dress casually and warmly, and I'll pick you up later," he says, his smile widening.

My heart skips a beat as I imagine the possibilities of what he has in store. Giggling with excitement, I nod eagerly, already counting down the minutes until our Valentine's Day adventure begins. With Braden by my side, I know it's going to be a night to remember, filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments. 

As I finish my breakfast, I begin my morning routine with a sense of purpose. First, I tidy up my living space with the help of Braden, swiftly wiping down surfaces to ensure everything is in order. 

Maintaining a neat environment helps clear my mind and set a positive tone for the day ahead.

Moving to my bedroom, I carefully select an outfit for the meeting with Debbie. Today calls for a balance of professionalism and comfort, so I opt for a sleek blouse paired with tailored trousers. As I dress, I can't help but feel a sense of anticipation for the tasks and adventures that lie ahead.

After dressing, I head to the bathroom to freshen up. Splashing cool water on my face invigorates me, awakening my senses and preparing me for the day ahead. A few quick swipes of makeup and a spritz of my favorite perfume add a finishing touch, leaving me feeling confident and ready to tackle whatever comes my way.

Brad bombards me with multiple kind compliment to hype me up which puts me in good mood. 

I gather the necessary documents and head out the door hand in hand with Braden. As I make my way to Debbie's house, my mind drifts between thoughts of the meeting and the excitement of the evening ahead. 

As I arrive at Debbie's house, she welcomes me with a warm smile, inviting me inside for our meeting. We settle into comfortable chairs in her cozy living room. Our meeting is productive yet relaxed, as we go over the details of our project, discussing floor plans, design elements, and timelines.