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“Now what are you planning?” I whispered as a wave of anticipation soared through me.
I unlocked the door and pushed it open. A rush of rose-scented air greeted me, and I reached in to click on the light. Balloons filled the room and rose petals covered the floor.
My keys fell out of my hands as they went to my cheeks. Holy shit! My tiny studio apartment was packed full with balloons, flowers, and I even saw a couple boxes of candy on the kitchen counter.
Tears burned my eyes as I took it all in. How had he gotten in here? And, this must have cost a fortune. My heart hammered as I bent down to gather my keys, keeping my focus mostly on the flowers scattered along the floor.
“Wow. He did great!” Angelina’s voice came in from behind me, and I whirled around.
She and Lizzie stood there, Lizzie holding a small bag and Angelina with a clothing bag.
“What’s…going on?” I asked, my voice cracking with emotion.
They walked in, Lizzie’s wide eyes taking everything in. She shut the door and clicked my lock three times, before engaging it.
“Time to beautify you,” Angelina said, holding up the dress. “I’m wardrobe.”
“And I’m makeup.” Lizzie held up her small bag. “Let’s hurry.”
They followed me to the kitchen and sat me at the small bar. “Better light in here,” Lizzie said. “We have about twenty minutes before he’s here.”
“What’s going on?” I asked. “I don’t get it. I have to work. I—”
“It’s all been taken care of.” Angelina combed out my hair. “Here, Lizzie, I’ll help.”
After a whirlwind hair, makeup, and wardrobe change, I stood in front of the full-length mirror attached to the back of my bathroom door.
“Where’d you get this dress?” I ran my hands down the front of the body-hugging silky material. It was long-sleeved and black with a gold, embellished neck design. It stopped a few inches north of my knees, but it fit me like a glove.
“Oh, I picked it up a while ago,” Angelina said.
“For who? This isn’t your size.”
“Okay, so, I lied. I suck at this. Yeah, I bought it for you. Okay? You have a rocking body, and…I wanted you to have it for tonight.”
“What’s so special about— Oh shit. It’s Valentine’s Day, isn’t it? That’s right!”
Lizzie shook her head. “I can’t believe you forgot Valentine’s Day.”
I’d never had a reason to care until Drey. And obviously he wanted me to see the best of this day with a surprise.
“I knew he was a romantic the first time I met him,” Lizzie said. “He held up the iPad so I could be with Angelina at her wedding and graduation. We talked a few times, too, while waiting and stuff, so I knew.” She flicked my shoulder then patted it. “You’re a lucky girl.”
“Where are we going?”
“Like we’d tell!” Angelina crossed her eyes and stepped to the side. “Here’s your purse. Phone. And… Oh yeah, a little cover-up in case you get cold. Record heat today, but still…”
“Thanks, Mom.” I took hold of the items she held out. “Thanks. You two…are good friends.”
“This is so awesome!” Lizzie squealed and yanked me into a hug. “Maybe next year I’ll have someone to surprise me on Valentine’s Day.”
“You will.” Angelina side-hugged Lizzie. “You’re due.”
A wave of sadness washed over Lizzie’s dark blue eyes. She might have overcome her agoraphobia, but OCD had snuck on in. Sure, she could leave her house, but…she was still in a prison for the most part.
“Oh! Two minutes. Get down there. We’ll lock up.”
“Howdidhe get in here?”
