Gemotions

He had spent the entire day preparing, a whirlwind of activity fueled by a quiet, steady exhilaration. He’d painstakingly crafted a slideshow filled with photos of them together for the past ten years. He'd even tried to bake a cake, which had, admittedly, gone slightly wrong but was still edible. The thought of seeing her face tonight, of seeing her surrounded by friends, filled him with a warmth that radiated from his core.

Then, a text from his sister: “Hey! Just heard. Party’s off. Work emergency. So sorry.”

He reread the text, his stomach dropping. The slideshow seemed less bright, the cake less appealing. A knot formed in his throat.

He slowly walked over to the window, staring out at the darkening sky. A deep, sigh escaped him. He wouldn't let her down. He picked up his phone and called her. His voice when she answered held a deep affection. "Hey, love. Listen, I have a surprise, but it's going to be a small one. Are you free tonight?"