A month passed, with everything that had happened—the competition, Sarah's confession, and Shawn's feelings—I needed something to refocus my energy. And what better distraction than planning a surprise birthday party for Shawn?
It was today, and I wanted it to be perfect. The Velvet Lounge seemed like the ideal spot. It was Shawn's favorite place, a sleek cocktail bar with a cozy, intimate vibe. I could already imagine the look on his face when he walked in, completely unaware that his closest friends were there to surprise him.
Tyler strolled in from the other room, casually sipping coffee. "You're frowning again, my love. What are you thinking about so intently?" he asked, planting a kiss on my forehead.
I blushed, warmth spreading through me. "Just thinking about Shawn's birthday. I want to make sure it's special. How about we celebrate it at Velvet Lounge?"
Tyler's lips curved into a smile. "Already taken care of, baby. I made the reservation for tonight."
I blinked, surprised. "Wow, you're fast," I laughed, leaning into his embrace.
Throughout the day, we discreetly coordinated with our mutual friends, ensuring every detail was in place. I handed over the café's responsibilities to my attentive staff and retreated to the kitchen to bake Shawn's favorite—a chocolate strawberry cake. Once it was perfectly crafted and packaged, I hurried to the mall, shopping for gifts. I chose a stylish shirt, a tie, and a sophisticated cologne.
By the time I returned home, Tyler was already waiting outside the house. I invited him inside, quickly showered and slipped into a radiant yellow mini dress, the color bright and full of life, just like the evening I envisioned.
"How's this dress?" I asked, spinning playfully, my voice brimming with anticipation.
Tyler didn't say anything at first. He just stood there, looking at me with those dark, sparkling eyes, his silence louder than words.
"Hello, Earth to Tyler," I teased, stepping closer and placing a soft palm on his cheek. His skin felt warm, and I noticed his face had flushed a deep red. "Oh my, you're as red as a tomato. Are you feeling alright? Do you have a fever?" I asked with a grin.
He finally broke into a sheepish smile, his voice soft. "I think you might be the cause, not the fever." His gaze travelled from my face down to the yellow minidress, lingering with admiration.
I laughed, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. "You're sure? You looked like you were somewhere else entirely."
He pulled me closer, brushing a lock of hair from my face. "Trust me, I was right here, just... speechless for a moment." His hands rested gently on my waist, and for a second, the energy between us shifted—soft, intimate. But then he stepped back, grinning playfully. "Now we better get going, or we'll miss the party."
With that, we gathered the cake and the gifts and headed out, excitement and nervous energy thrumming between us. The Velvet Lounge was only a short drive away, and the thought of seeing Shawn's reaction to the surprise filled me with anticipation.
When we arrived, the Velvet Lounge was already prepped for the celebration. Tyler had arranged everything perfectly—the dimly lit room adorned with navy blue and silver decorations, the reserved section glowing under soft golden light. The atmosphere was relaxed but elegant, just the kind of setting that would make Shawn feel comfortable.
Our friends had already begun to gather, talking quietly amongst themselves, drinks in hand. Sarah, who had been helping with some of the planning despite everything, stood near the bar, chatting with Elise. Her eyes flicked toward the entrance when we walked in, and I saw a brief flicker of something—nervousness, maybe?—before she smiled and waved.
I placed the cake carefully on the dessert table and made sure everything was in order. The air buzzed with anticipation, everyone eager for Shawn to arrive. Tyler squeezed my hand. "Everything looks perfect, love."
I smiled up at him, feeling grateful for his support. "Let's hope he likes it."
Not long after, my phone buzzed. Shawn had finished his shift and was on his way. I signalled to the rest of the group, and everyone quieted down, slipping into their places. Tyler pulled me into his side, and we waited, hearts pounding in the silence.
The door creaked open, and there he was—Shawn, looking tired but relaxed, completely unaware of what was waiting for him. The lights flicked on, and everyone shouted, "Surprise!"
Shawn froze, his eyes wide with shock before a slow, warm smile spread across his face. His eyes widened, and then a slow, disbelieving smile spread across his face. "You've got to be kidding me," he said, shaking his head with a soft laugh. "I had no idea..."
As he stepped further into the room, his gaze found mine. For a moment, it felt like the world narrowed to just the two of us, his expression unreadable. Then, Tyler's arm around my waist pulled me back to the present.
"Happy Birthday, Shawn," I said, smiling brightly, hoping to hide the flutter of nerves.
"Thanks, Ann. This is incredible. You all really outdid yourselves."
The evening unfolded beautifully, laughter and music filling the room. Shawn was surrounded by friends, his smile never faltering as he moved from one conversation to the next. At one point, I caught Sarah watching him, her expression wistful, but she quickly masked it with a bright laugh when Elise said something.
As the night went on, Tyler and I took a moment to sit and enjoy a drink. "You did a great job with everything," Tyler said, clinking his glass against mine.
"Couldn't have done it without you," I replied, my gaze briefly drifting to Shawn, who was chatting with some of our friends near the bar.
Tyler followed my gaze, his expression softening. "You care about him a lot, don't you?"
I looked back at him, startled. "Of course I do. He's one of my best friends."
Tyler nodded, his smile still there but something thoughtful behind his eyes. "Just making sure I'm not losing you to a doctor."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I love you Ann," Tyler whispered.
I looked at Tyler, my heart doing a little flip at his words. His eyes held a depth I hadn't seen before, something vulnerable beneath his usual confidence.
"I love you so much, but I'll wait for you." he added, his voice gentle but steady. It felt different—more intimate, more real, like he was revealing something he'd been holding back.
I smiled, my cheeks warming. But before I could say anything, Shawn came over to me, his gaze softened as he stepped closer, his usual guarded demeanour giving way to something more vulnerable. "Ann, this..." He gestured to the decorations, the cake, the gathered friends. "This means more than I can put into words. You've given me a memory I'll never forget."
His eyes lingered on mine for a moment longer, as if searching for something unsaid. "Thank you," he added, his voice quieter, almost as if it were meant for me alone.
"You deserve it, Shawn. I'm glad we could do this for you." I said.
Elise's voice rang out, cutting through the soft music in the background. "Let's drink till we drop!" she yelled, raising a bottle of liquor high in the air, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Alright, everyone! Tonight, we celebrate till we can't remember what we're celebrating!"
Tyler chuckled, shaking his head but clearly amused. "I think you're already a few drinks ahead of us, Elise."
"Doesn't mean you can't catch up!" she replied, pulling out a few glasses and pouring shots without hesitation. "Come on, Ann, you too!"
I raised an eyebrow at her, but before I could protest, Elise handed me a glass. Tyler grabbed one as well, raising it in a mock toast. "Here's to a night of celebrating, to good friends, and maybe to drinking just enough that we regret it in the morning."
Elise clinked her glass against ours. "That's the spirit!"
We all downed the shots, the liquor burning its way down but instantly filling me with a sense of warmth and ease. Laughter bubbled up between us, and before long, the night descended into a blur of stories, jokes, and shared memories.
At one point, I caught Elise swaying to the music, giggling like a schoolgirl as she pulled Shawn, Tyler and me onto the makeshift dance floor. "Come on, guys! Dance with me!"
Tyler and Shawn spun me around, and for a moment, it felt like nothing else mattered—just us, the music, and the warmth of the night. Elise twirled beside us, her infectious laughter filling the room.
As we danced, the weight of the past few days, the complications, and the tangled feelings seemed to melt away. At least for tonight, we were carefree, letting the moment sweep us away.
When the night began to blur even more, and we finally collapsed into the velvet chairs, breathing heavily from laughter and dancing, Elise leaned back, her voice slurred but happy. "This... this was exactly what we needed. Just... friends, good times, no drama."
The crowd began to reduce as more people started saying their goodbyes, the energy of the night slowly winding down. I watched as John gently hoisted Elise up, her giggles bubbling out as she leaned against him, her head lolling slightly. "You're like my personal knight in shining armour!" she declared, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting a sloppy kiss on his cheek.
Tyler chuckled at the sight, shaking his head. "I think he's more like a trusty steed at this point," he quipped.
"Just be sure she doesn't spill anything on you," I called out with a grin as they made their way to the door. "Or break any more glasses!"
"I'll do my best," John replied with a mock-serious expression, though it was clear he was enjoying the role of her chivalrous escort.
As they exited, the café felt emptier, the laughter and music replaced by a quieter ambiance. We continued drinking and enjoying the party.