I’m about to say as much when she brushes off my left hand, and I stare in awe. The clear, nude base fades into a gorgeous forest green that matches most of my belongings.
“Thanks, babe, I love them,” I gush.
“No worries. Glad to be part of this important post-Saturn return milestone,” she says, and her left eye squints. “Did I say that right?”
“Exactlyyy,” I say, drawing out the final syllable as I stretch my back.
Anjie returns with three plates perfectly balanced in her arms. One in each hand and one on her forearm. My stomach growls, ready to devour the fried rice and chicken.
Several spoonfuls later, I’m revitalized. “Do y’all wanna hear the secret?”
Groans fill the air.
“I thought we were gonna have to force it out of you,” Sewa says.
Ignoring them, I run to my room and retrieve the cold steel key Cole gave me almost a week ago. The white silk rope I tied around it makes the plain item match the beauty of his gesture.
I dangle the metal in their faces.
Anjie is the first to scream. “Ah! He gave you a key!”
“Holy shit,” Sewa says.
“Holy shit is right,” I say, happy it’s off my chest. He gave me a key. Cole, the man I’ve fallen in love with over the past year, isfinallyready to take our relationship to the next level.
“How did it happen?” Anjie sets her food down and gives me her undivided attention.
“Okay, we’re watching this Nolan flick, and he keeps touching me duringthe movie, and getting distracted on his phone, something about his new TA with many questions.” I stop myself and wave my hands. “Long story short, you know I don’t like that—”
“Yeah, you film purist. But go on,” Sewa interrupts, and I shoot her a mild glare.
“Anyways, I tell him to stop, kinda blowing up—”
This time, it’s Anjie’s turn to interrupt. “Like you usually do.”
I ignore her. “As I was saying, I ramble a bit about how our anniversary is soon, and we don’t have any plans, and then…” I pause for dramatic effect. “He pulls out the key!”
“When you say ‘pulls out,’ like in a box or…?” Sewa peters off with her signature brow raise.
“Well…I technically ruined the surprise—”
“Like you usually do,” Anjie says, referencing my failed surprise birthday party, and they both laugh. I roll my eyes, fighting the urge to laugh as well. Regardless of my mood, upset or annoyed, if my girls are laughing, I simply can’t help it.
Sewa brings us back to the initial topic. “How are you feeling?”
I rub the soft white fabric attached to the precious key and my heart swells. “Like all my research and hard work paid off. Like it’s everything I wanted fromCupid’s Bow.”
“Soulmate material?” Sewa asks.
“A whole ten yards of it.” I laugh, and she smiles.
“We’re so happy for you, babes. You deserve this and a lot more,” Anjie cuts in. “Do you know what you’re getting him?” She asks politely, but, knowing her, it’s eating her up inside. Sewa looks up from the haircare products and flexi rods she is laying out.
A wicked smile grows on my face.
“Follow me,” I say, and they scramble after me to the bedroom.
I reach under my bed and grab the white bow-tied box housing the main character of my carefully thought-out plan. After unexpectedly receiving the key, I pivoted from my simple plan of his favorite out-of-production perfume to something more worthy of an anniversary.
