Gabby and Zay returned from Jamaica with a new spark in their relationship. The engagement had her glowing, and Zay couldn't stop smiling every time he caught a glimpse of the ring on her finger. They were on cloud nine, but life back in the city didn't waste any time reminding them of its pace.
Zay had meetings lined up the minute they touched down. Between his sneaker stores and his real estate investments, his schedule was packed. Gabby, on the other hand, dove right back into her candle business, which was thriving more than ever. Her two employees were keeping the storefront running, but the increased demand for custom orders meant Gabby was spending long hours perfecting her craft.
Late Nights and Conversations
One night, Gabby was in their home office, pouring wax into molds and adding finishing touches to some of her orders. Zay walked in, fresh from a late meeting. He leaned against the doorframe, watching her work.
"Girl, you still at it?" he asked, shaking his head.
Gabby glanced up, smiling. "You know how it is. These candles ain't gon' make themselves."
Zay walked over and wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. "You been grindin' nonstop. When you gon' let me take care of you for a change?"
Gabby laughed softly, leaning into him. "Zay, you already do. I just wanna make sure my name out here, too. I'm tryna build somethin' real, like you."
"You already did," he said, kissing her cheek. "But don't work yourself to death, alright? I need my future wife in one piece."
Gabby smiled, turning to face him. "I hear you. But you know I'm not gon' stop until I'm where I wanna be."
Zay admired her determination. That was one of the reasons he fell in love with her—she wasn't afraid of hard work. "Alright, bet," he said, stepping back. "But this weekend? You takin' a break. No candles, no emails. Just me and you."
Gabby raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you makin' plans now?"
Zay smirked. "You gon' see. Just be ready."
The Weekend Surprise
True to his word, Zay made sure Gabby had no reason to worry about work. He booked a suite at a luxury hotel downtown, complete with a spa day and a private dinner overlooking the city skyline. Gabby was shocked when he told her to pack a bag and leave everything else at home.
"Zay, what is all this?" she asked as they arrived at the hotel.
"Relax, baby," he said, grabbing her hand. "I told you, this weekend is about us. No distractions."
The spa day left Gabby feeling refreshed, and by the time they sat down for dinner, she couldn't stop smiling. Zay had thought of everything.
"This view is crazy," Gabby said, looking out at the city lights.
"Not as crazy as you look right now," Zay said, giving her a playful grin.
Gabby rolled her eyes, but her cheeks flushed. "You really out here bein' extra, huh?"
"Always for you," he said, his tone serious. "You deserve it all, Gabby. I want you to know that."
Gabby reached across the table, taking his hand. "You make me feel like I can do anything, Zay. I don't know how I got so lucky."
Zay shook his head. "Nah, baby. I'm the lucky one. You changed my whole world."
They toasted to their future, sharing laughs and stolen kisses. Gabby couldn't help but feel like she was living a dream.
Late-Night Talks
Back in their hotel suite, they sat on the balcony, sipping champagne and talking about everything and nothing.
"Have you thought about what kinda wedding you want?" Zay asked casually.
Gabby looked at him, surprised. "Not really. I ain't even think marriage was in the cards for me, Zay. All this still feels unreal sometimes."
Zay nodded, understanding where she was coming from. "I get it. But it's real now, baby. And I want you to have whatever you want. Big wedding, small wedding, destination—you name it."
Gabby smiled softly. "I think I just want it to feel like us. Nothing too crazy, just... real."
Zay leaned back in his chair, taking a sip of his drink. "Real, huh? That's easy. Everything with you is real."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the city lights twinkling around them. Gabby looked over at Zay, feeling a wave of gratitude.
"Thank you," she said suddenly.
Zay looked at her, confused. "For what?"
"For bein' you," she said simply. "For seein' me when I couldn't even see myself."
Zay reached over, pulling her onto his lap. "You ain't gotta thank me for that, Gabby. I saw somethin' in you from the start. And I'm gon' spend the rest of my life makin' sure you see it, too."
To Be Continued...
