Gemotions

He found the notebook in the top drawer of his bedside table, a thick, leather-bound journal. His heart thumped a little faster as he opened it. Inside, in elegant, swirling script, were the opening pages of a novel, and the protagonist, a renowned chef, bore a striking resemblance to him. He grinned, feeling like he'd been given a fantastic gift.

He recognized the settings, the characters, and the small details, all lifted from their life together. The fictionalized version of their relationship was a sweet one, full of love and adventure. The heroine, a talented gardener, was, without a doubt, her. The words danced before his eyes, each sentence a new joy.

He leaned back in the chair, a warm glow spreading through him. He felt… buoyant. He loved that she saw him this way, the way he aspired to be. It was a lovely, flattering sensation.

He carefully closed the notebook, a smile playing on his lips. He knew he had to let her know he had found it, eventually. But for now, he decided to start planning a surprise of his own.