I gave my wet hair a final squeeze with my towel and put on one of Daniel's shirts. I could hear him messing about downstairs. I made his bed and then shimmied down the stairs. To my surprise I saw that he had prepared me breakfast. Just like he used to when we lived in my apartment. I smelled the freshly brewed coffee and shook my head.

"You shouldn't have. Last night was spectacular. I don't need this, too."

"I'm sweet on ya," he winked. "Don't you know by now?"

He had my frilly pink apron tied around his neck and waist. His hair was off his face in a ponytail. His eyes were expectant and so full of adoration.

"Thank you, Daniel. I love you."

He wrapped his arms around me. "I love you, too. You're the reason I wake up."

I smiled and scanned over the spread. "Breakfast burritos? My fave."

"You eat. I'm going to clean up now, and then... another surprise."

My eyes widened as I took another bite of my burrito. "No way."

"Yes way."

I blew on my coffee while Daniel scrubbed the stove top.

"Oh, yeah, Rex rang you and left a message last night. He forwarded it to me this morning," he said flatly.

My first sip of coffee did not taste as good as I expected it to be. "I hate it when he does that. I'll ring him later. What possible news could he have for me?"

Daniel finished up and put my apron back on the hook in the pantry.

"You're going to need to change," he smiled.

"What should I wear?"

"Whatever you feel most comfortable in."

I pecked at his cheek as he walked behind me.

"I'm going to work on some chords, babe. I'll try not to be so loud."

I tucked back into my breakfast and slowly the peace I felt when I woke up beside him returned.

***

I sat on the sofa, blindfolded, awaiting my next surprise. Daniel would not give me a single clue. He remained silent.

"Is it time yet?" I had my legs crossed and my foot was bouncing up and down like a jumping bean.

"Almost."

I did not have to see a thing to know he was enjoying seeing me like this.

I could hear a car go up our driveway. The driveway that wrapped around the pool at the back of our house. Only family or close friends used it since our guest house was out there as well.

I freaked. "Daniel, please don't tell me you've invited my parents--"

"Not your parents. Promise."

I exhaled. I heard car doors opening and closing. Then I heard the car drive away. The French doors opened and I could hear the shuffle of footsteps approach me.

"Take your blindfold off."

My eyes barely had time to adjust because the sun was bright and shining through the doors. There she was. There was my surprise.

"Jamie!?"

"Jacinda," my best friend squealed.

Daniel had a huge smile on his face. "I'll leave you two to scream and be girls for a bit. And open up a bottle of something while I'm at it."

His smugness had no bounds as he exited the living room.

Jamie took her bag off her shoulders and gave me a tight hug. I was still dazed. I squeezed her. I could not believe she was there. I could not piece a single sentence together.

"My goodness," Jamie searched my face, "the high life really suits you, huh, Jazz?"

I rolled my eyes. Jamie hadn't changed a bit. Her hair was long and in braids going down her back. She wore very little makeup and her almond-shaped eyes were just as beguiling as ever.

Daniel walked in and set down a tray of snacks. He also had a bottle of champagne on ice.

Jamie was still a little nervous around Synthetics. She had not spent more than a day with one. Her eyes took in Daniel, little by little. She was impressed.

"Maybe I need one of those after all," she said under her breath.

I giggled and looped my arm around hers just as the champagne bottle let out a fizzy pop. 

💙💙🎸💙💙

Girls night out + Dandroid = ???
Stay tuned. 

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