Laura
As I stepped out of Jake's office, a wave of pure joy washed over me. I couldn't stop smiling, thinking about him, and everything we had planned, and especially the sweet love we just made. It was intoxicating and wild, and I could hardly believe it I was the one who initiated it.
I planned on getting some things at the grocery store so I got in my car and was on my way when, my phone buzzed. It was Chloe, calling to ask if I wanted to join her for lunch.
"Chloe! Hi! What's up?" I let out
"Laura!" She replied, putting on her usual friendly tone. "I was just thinking, would you be up for lunch today? I had some wedding ideas I thought we could discuss. You know, just to make sure everything's perfect for you and Jake." She said, sounding eager and upbeat.
I gave a delighted laugh. "Oh, that sounds amazing! Where should we meet?" I quizzed.
"There's this fantastic new restaurant downtown," she suggested, naming an exclusive spot. "I'll send you the address."
"Perfect! I'll see you there!"
My phone buzzed with the address and luckily, I was close by. I got us a good space by the window, and scrolled through my phone, waiting for her.
A few minutes later, I looked up and saw Chloe's car pull in. I waved at her through the glass door with a broad smile, my face lighting up as she saw her. She returned the smile and made her way inside, and as soon as we were close, I reached out and hugged her. "Thank you so much for everything, Chloe," I said, genuinely grateful. "You've been a lifesaver. All your help, it means so much."
"Of course, Laura," she said, hugging me back. "I'm glad to help! It's so wonderful to see you this happy."
We took our seats and ordered our meals, chatting about the wedding plans. Chloe seemed fascinated by every little detail, asking about the flowers, colors, and venue. After a moment, she leaned forward, eyes twinkling with curiosity. "So… how did you and Jake actually meet?"
I felt my cheeks grow warm, and I laughed, a little embarrassed. "It's actually a bit of a wild story," I said, grinning. "Jake and I… we first met on a… well, a one-night stand."
Chloe's eyebrows lifted in surprise, but she smiled, looking intrigued. "No way! You mean, it was just some chance meeting?"
I nodded, laughing. "Yeah. I was at this bar with my friend, Arlene, and he was there too. We got to talking, and… well, one thing led to another. But the funniest part was the next day! I had a job interview, and when I walked in, there he was."
Chloe's eyes widened, and she covered her mouth, trying to hide her laughter. "Oh, that must have been so awkward! What did he do?"
"Oh, he was grumpy and rude," I said, rolling my eyes. "He didn't even acknowledge we'd met the night before. But I stood up to him, told him I wasn't going to let him intimidate me."
"And he still gave you the job?" Chloe asked, clearly impressed.
"Surprisingly, yes," I said, shrugging. "And over time, we got to know each other, under all the grumpiness. He has such a good heart, Chloe. He was bad still is a lot of work though. He's strict at work, but he's also so thoughtful. Somewhere along the way, we fell in love, and now… here we are, planning a wedding."
"That's amazing," Chloe said, her smile warm. "It's rare to find that kind of connection, and I'm so happy for you both."
"Thank you," I said, feeling genuinely touched. "It means a lot to have people supporting us."
We continued chatting about the wedding details, and Chloe had such helpful suggestions. Just then, my phone buzzed. "Oh!" I said, checking the notification. "That's the store, they just called to say my jewelry and shoes are ready for pickup!"
"Perfect timing!" Chloe said, her enthusiasm matching mine. "Why don't we go pick them up? I'd love to see everything."
As we walked into the store, the air felt electric with excitement. Chloe looked around with wide eyes. "This place is amazing. I've only ever dreamed of shopping somewhere like this."
I chuckled, still a bit in awe myself. "I know! Sometimes, I still can't believe I'm actually picking out wedding jewelry and shoes."
The manager approached us with a warm smile, holding a few velvet boxes. "Miss Laura, we have your pieces right here."
She opened one of the boxes to reveal a stunning pair of earrings and a matching necklace, both sparkling with elegant gemstones. I let out a small gasp and turned to Chloe beside me. "Chloe, these are gorgeous!"
She picked up the necklace, letting it catch the light. "They really are."
" can't believe this is really happening. I feel like a princess!" I exclaimed.
Chloe grinned, nudging me playfully. "Well, you are marrying Prince Charming, after all."
I laughed, shaking my head. "More like Prince Charming with a side of Mr. Grumpy. Jake can be tough, but he's also the kindest person I know."
"You really love him, don't you?" Chloe asked, her voice soft.
"More than anything," I said, feeling a little shy but not able to stop smiling. "He's changed so much since we met. Underneath that tough exterior, he's… he's everything."
Chloe placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "And he's lucky to have someone as incredible as you. You deserve all this happiness."
"Thank you, Chloe," I said, touched by her words. "It really means a lot to have you here, sharing this moment with me."
The clerk handed us another box, this time with a beautiful pair of wedding shoes. Chloe clapped her hands together, her eyes shining. "Oh, those are perfect! You're going to look like a movie star."
I held the shoes up, admiring them. "They're so beautiful. I can't wait to show Jake everything."
We took our time at the store, discussing different pieces and options, and Chloe was genuinely engaged, offering suggestions and adding her own touches to the selections.
When we were done, I hugged her again, overwhelmed with gratitude. "Chloe, I don't know how to thank you. You've made all of this so easy for me."
She waved a hand, brushing off my thanks. "Don't mention it. I'm just glad to be a part of it, even in this small way."
We gathered our things and were about to head out when Chloe let out a small sigh, almost wistful. "You know, I don't have anyone waiting for me back home. It can get pretty lonely sometimes."
I looked at her with sympathy. "Oh, Chloe…"
She quickly smiled, as if trying to shrug it off. "It's fine, really. I'm used to it by now. Just… sometimes I wish I had a bit of company, especially seeing you so happy."
I felt a pang of guilt. She'd done so much for me. "Well, why don't you come over for dinner tonight?" I suggested, my voice brightening at the idea. "It'll be a chance to relax a bit, meet Jake, and spend some time together."
"Oh, Laura, I don't want to intrude…"
"Are you kidding?" I said, practically begging. "Jake's dying to meet the friend who's been helping me so much. And it'll be fun!"
She hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. "Alright, I'd love to join you. Thank you, Laura."
Back at my place, we unloaded our bags and headed to the kitchen. I started reaching for some ingredients, and Chloe stepped in beside me, examining the cupboards.
"What's Jake's favorite dish?" Chloe asked, looking around with a hint of determination in her eyes.
"Oh, he loves anything with pasta," I replied, reaching for some tomatoes and garlic. "Let's make him his favorite – penne with roasted tomatoes and basil. It's simple, but he's obsessed with it."
Chloe grinned. "Perfect! I'm a pasta girl myself. Let's do this."
We set to work, chopping and prepping, the kitchen filling with the delicious smell of fresh basil and garlic. Chloe grabbed a knife and started chopping tomatoes with surprising skill.
"So, tell me more," she said, glancing over at me. "What's it really like, being with someone like Jake?"
I laughed, a little embarrassed. "Well, it's never boring, that's for sure! He's intense sometimes – very driven. But that's what I love about him. He puts his whole heart into everything."
Chloe nodded, pouring olive oil into a pan for me. "That's rare, you know. Most people don't have that kind of passion."
I thought about it and smiled. "Yeah. I think it's what drew me to him in the first place. He challenges me in all the best ways."
We shared a laugh, Chloe adding some basil to the mix while I checked on the pasta. As we continued cooking, Chloe asked more questions, clearly curious.
"So, has he always been this intense? Even when you first met?" Chloe asked, her voice light but interested.
"Oh, you wouldn't believe it," I said, laughing. For some reasons, I felt like Chloe was so interested in Jake, she keeps trying to know about him and it was fascinating. I enjoy talking about him so all her questions were welcomed. "Like I said earlier, he was almost intimidating. I remember thinking, 'Who is this guy, and why is he so grumpy?' But the more I got to know him, the more I realized he's just... guarded. Like he's built up these walls to protect himself."
"Sounds complicated," Chloe said, nodding as she stirred the sauce. "But I get it. Sometimes, the most guarded people have the biggest hearts."
I smiled, touched by her understanding. "Exactly. Once I got past those walls, I found this amazing person underneath. And now... I can't imagine my life without him."
Chloe nodded thoughtfully, and for a moment, she seemed to lose herself in her thoughts. But then she gave me a bright smile. "You're one lucky lady, Laura. And Jake's lucky too. I mean, look at this feast we're making for him!"
I laughed, taking a taste of the sauce. "Alright, this is officially ready. He's going to love it."
As we finished setting the table, I took a step back and admired our handiwork. The table was filled with pasta, fresh salad, and garlic bread, all arranged beautifully. It looked like a scene from one of those romantic dinner commercials.
"Laura, this is perfect," Chloe said, wiping her hands and giving me an approving nod. "You think he's going to guess it's homemade?"
"Not a chance," I replied with a grin. "He'll be too busy diving in."
Just then, I heard the front door open, and my heart fluttered with excitement. I glanced at Chloe, who gave me a quick thumbs-up.
"I'll let you two have a moment," she whispered with a mischievous wink, stepping back as I went to greet Jake.
I walked to the doorway and saw him, looking a little tired but smiling when he saw me. I threw my arms around him, letting the warmth of his embrace fill me.
"Missed you," I murmured, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
He smiled, squeezing me gently. "Missed you too. What's all this? Smells amazing in here."
I took his hand, leading him toward the dining room. "Come on, I've got a surprise for you!"
As we walked in, Jake's eyes widened, taking in the spread of food on the table. And then his gaze fell on Chloe, who stood by the table, smiling politely.
"Hi, Prince Charming…" The moment he saw her, he froze, his eyes widening just slightly as if he were caught off guard.