When I return to join Kaden and Jason at the front, I find them in the exact spot I left them—laughing, joking, and trying to kick each other on the shins like a pair of children.
Jason is the first to notice me standing in the doorway, arms crossed, an amused smirk playing at my lips. He slaps Kaden on the chest and gestures towards me, and Kaden whips his head my way, straightening as if I hadn’t just caught him clowning around.
I love when I catch glimpses of the real Kaden, mostly when he’s with his friends—the carefree, jovial, slightly mischievous side of him that I don’t always get to see. He’s usually a bit more conscientious, prudent, and courteous around me, but he can be delightfully playful when the mood strikes, especially with Zac. And if I’m honest, there isn’t a side of him I don’t love watching.
He runs a hand through his freshly cut hair, the colour nearly golden in the warm sunlight. For some reason, he looks even more handsome today, despite the faint nervousness in his expression as he glances towards his truck and then back at me, as though bracing himself for what he’s about to show me.
“I got you a gift. And before you try to talk your way out of it, this is something I’ve wanted to give you since we finished the renovations. Think of it as a housewarming gift, even if you haven’t exactly just moved in.”
I open my mouth to speak, but he raises a finger to hush me, and I lift a curious brow in response.
“You can’t say anything until you’ve seen it first. Now, turn around and cover your eyes. No peeking,” he orders.
I narrow my eyes at him but do as he asks, slowly turning around and pressing my hands over my eyes, plunging my vision into instant darkness.
In the next few minutes, the air fills with grunts and groans, the scrape of something heavy grinding against the metal bed of Kaden’s truck. A few curses escape Jason’s lips as he bangs against… something—I’m not sure what—but it’s clear they’re struggling to move a cumbersome object from the back of the truck.
A soft thud behind me, followed by Kaden’s gentle voice telling me it’s safe to look, prompts me to slowly peel my hands from my face and turn around, heart fluttering with anticipation. The moment my eyes settle on the vintage chest of drawers before me—one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen—my breath catches, and my jaw nearly drops to the floor.
The classic French Provincial chest of drawers has been repainted a soft mustard yellow, its top and legs stripped bare to reveal the natural oak beneath. The six horizontal drawers are adorned with oil-rubbed bronzed handles that add character and a deeper warmth. It’s elegant, charming, and so me. The sight of it leaves me utterly breathless.
“Oh my God… is that—?” The words lodge in my throat, trapped by disbelief.
Both Kaden and Jason chuckle, clearly entertained by the shocked look on my face.
“Do you like it?” Kaden asks, nervously rubbing the back of his neck.
“Like it? Kaden, oh my God! I fucking love it. Is this really mine?”
“Sure is. I saw it at a garage sale and knew I had to get it for you. I spent all week refurbishing it—well, with the help of this big guy, of course,” he says, gesturing to Jason.
“Ah, don’t downplay it, mate, that was all you. All I did was just hand over the tools,” Jason teases, slapping a hand on Kaden’s shoulder.
He chuckles, almost shyly, and it only makes me want to squeeze the life out of him.
“That’s not all,” Kaden continues.
“Wait—there’s more?!” I exclaim.
He nods. “It comes with matching bedside tables. They’re still in the back of the truck, but I thought it best to get this inside first.”
“Kaden, this is way too much!”
“Nothing’s ever too much when it comes to you.”
My face warms, and I hear Jason chuckle and mutter, “Real smooth,” under his breath, earning a sharp elbow to the ribs from Kaden.
“Woah, that looks cool.”
All three of us glance at Zac, whom I hadn’t realised was standing behind me, Jake at
his side.
“What do you think, bud?” Kaden addresses my son as he leans casually against my new chest of drawers. “Will this look good in your mum’s room?”
“It will make it a hundred times better,” Zac declares, and the two gentlemen in front of me chuckle, while I shake my head, still in disbelief.
We get to work moving my new bedroom set into the room. I quickly empty all the drawers from the old suite before Kaden and Jason load it into the back of the truck, making room for the new set.
