I inhaled, as I rolled over and my hand extended out next to me to grab Tyler’s arm, but I ended up with a fist full of blankets instead. Slightly confused I slowly opened my eyes and grabbed my glasses off Tyler’s night stand and read the clock, 7:16. I took a deep breath in through my nose, as my mind flooded with all the reason why Tyler wasn’t next to me. Maybe he went to let the dogs out, but he was usually back by now because he loved to be the first thing I see in the morning, his words not mind. He could have went to the rink early, but usually he would have told me. I sighed, maybe I did something wrong yesterday. With a deep breath, I caught a whiff of what smelled like eggs.
Curiously I rolled out of the huge bed and ran my hand through my hair as I made my way to Tyler’s bedroom door. Slowly, I opened the door and it didn’t take long to see where the smell came from. Tyler stood at the stove, spatula in hand. He yawned, which only triggered a yawn to escape from my lips as I made my way to the kitchen.
“Am I dreaming, or are you really cooking.” I said in my best southern accent as I placed my hand over my heart.
At the sound of my voice Tyler’s head snapped up. “Don’t act so surprised, I’ve cooked with you many times.”
“Yea, with me.” I smiled as I approached the counter and plucked a strawberry from bowl. “So what are you making?”
“I’m making you breakfast.”
“You’re making me breakfast?” I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.
“Yes,” he said as he flipped the piece of bread that was on the stove. “Your favorite, French toast.”
“Aww, you do listen to me when I talk.”
“Sometimes.” Tyler shrugged with a smile as he slid a piece of French toast onto a plate and handed it to me. “So eat up, we have a busy day ahead of us.”
I bit my lip, curiously, as I took the plate and thanked him as I sat down at the counter.

---

“So you ready to get out of here?” I hear Tyler’s voice before I felt the back of my desk chair pull back.
“Tyler, I told you last I had to finish up this paper for the end of last month. That’s why we drove separately, remember?” I told him all without taking my eyes from the papers that laid in front of me.
“Yea,” he sighed. “So how long is this going to take?”
“I don’t know Tyler,” I shook my head as I circled a couple of lines on the sheet.
“Well will you be done by 3:00?”
“3:00, that’s kind of specific.” I took a deep breath as I looked at the stack of papers that sat on the corner of my desk that needed to be filled out. “Why do you care anyway, got some special plans for us tonight?”
“Actually, yea.” Tyler bite his lower lip as I turned to look at him.
“Tyler,” I inhaled with as shake of my head.
“Don’t Brittany,” Tyler laughed as he pulled away and the back of my chair sprung back into place. “You’re not getting out of this.” He grinned as he walked backwards out of the room. “I’ll pick you up at 3:00.” He winked,” and wear something nice,” he added as he disappeared and I didn’t have a chance to protest.

---

If I said I wasn’t nervous I would be lying. After Tyler said he would pick me up at three I could barely focus on my paperwork, but somehow I finished just before 2:30. I booked it back to my apartment and rummaged through my closet to find something nice. Not sure exactly how nice Tyler meant, so I settled for my blue knee length dress and my black heels. I was just running a brush through my hair as a knock on the front door echoed through the apartment.
I swallowed the lump in my throat as I laid my brush on the counter, turned off the light and walked to the front door. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as my fingers slid around the doorknob and I turned the handle. The door popped open and there stood Tyler in a dark blue button up and grey slacks.
He smile grew as he looked me over. “So I know you said no flowers, so I picked this up instead.” Tyler held out one of those little red boxes that they sell for Valentine’s Day.
I grinned as I took the box and flipped it over to check the candies inside, chocolate, “way better then flowers,” I assured him as I set the box on the stand next to the door.
“So,” Tyler said as he extended his hand out for me, “shall we?”
“Well do I have a choice?” I chuckled as I grabbed my wallet from the cubby and pulled the door closed behind me.
“Not really,” Tyler smirked as I took his hand.

---

“You do remember that I hate surprises right?” I sighed as I realized that Tyler was not going to budge.
“Yea, I remember.” Tyler smirked as he glanced at the driver’s side mirror before switching lines. “But you’re going to love this one.”
“You don’t know that Tyler.”
“Oh, but I do.” Tyler said so confidently that I almost believed him.
I rolled my eyes. “So did you clear whatever this is with Tim?”
“In matter of fact I did. He even helped me.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“You don’t have to believe it to be true.”
I took a deep breath. “So what did Tim help you with?”
Tyler glanced at me with a shake of his head before he turned back to the road.
I crossed my arms as I sank back into the seat. I watched the city soar by in silence. That was until Tyler turned into the parking lot of the Dallas Aquarium.
“Tyler, there is no way Tim approved this. There’s going to be so many people here someone it bound to recognize you.”
“That is why Tim helped me set up a private tour.”
“A private tour?” My eyes widened as Tyler parked the car. I could only imagine how much that had to cost.
“Yes, a private tour.” Tyler mimicked as he turned the key and the engine quitted.
“Why?”
“Because you said you’ve never been here before and we’ve never actually been on an official date so here we are.” He shrugged as he pulled the keys from the ignition and turned to look at me.
“Well then why are we still sitting her,” I chuckled and the smile immediately returned to Tyler’s face as he opened his door.
* * *
After an hour and a half of walking around the aquarium it was a relief when we finally returned to Tyler’s house. We sat cuddled up on Tyler’s couch as we finished the Chinese food that Tyler picked up on are way home from the aquarium. Tyler finished the rest of his orange chicken before he gently pushed away from where I rested tucked under his shoulder.
“What are you doing,” I questioned as he leaned forward and retrieved a small box from one of the draws on the coffee table in front of us.
“Here,” he replied as he handed me the small black box.
I pulled the cover off the box and smiled at the purple and yellow tie that lie inside. “It’s perfect. Thank you Tyler,” I laughed as I imaged Roussel walking into the rink tomorrow wearing this.
“I figured you would be more willing to except a gift if it was for some else, but still I got you this anyway.” Tyler said as he handed me a small purple bag.
I eyed the bag before I took it from him. It was slightly heavier than I expected. With one last glance at Tyler I removed the matching purple tissue paper. I shook my head as I pulled out a bottle of body spray from Bath and Body Works, burgundy sweatpants, and an assortment of colorful ankle socks. A smile tugged at my lips as because this obliviously wasn’t the most romantic of gifts, but it was perfect. “Thank you,” I looked up at Tyler as I leaned in and covered his lips with mine.
Tyler beamed as he pulled away. “Happy Birthday.”
I froze. “How did you know?”
“I talked to your sister,” he grinned.
“Of course you did,” I sighed. “It probably wasn’t hard to get that information out of her.”
“No,” Tyler shook his head as he laid his hand on his hand that rested on the back of the couch. “She was defiantly more than willing to talk to me.”
“I’m sure she was.” I shook my head and just imagined how that conversation went.

Notes