You can’t stop staring at your wrist, the fresh tattoo still tingling slightly. The initials A.C. are clean and crisp, the ink dark against your skin. It’s simple but perfect, exactly how you imagined it. Each time you catch a glimpse of it, you feel a mix of pride and anticipation bubbling inside you. This isn’t just a tattoo; it’s a piece of your heart, etched permanently into your skin for everyone to see. For her to see.

You’ve been thinking about this for weeks, planning it in your head and debating how Alex might react. Would she laugh, tease you in that playful way she does? Or would she get quiet, her gaze softening as she takes it in? No matter what, you hope it’ll make her smile - that kind of smile that feels like the sun breaking through the clouds.

Pulling out your phone, you text her: “Got a little surprise for you. Free tonight?” You hesitate for just a second before hitting send, your pulse quickening.

A few minutes later, her reply comes through: “Always free for you. Can’t wait!”

You can practically hear her voice in the words, and it makes your chest tighten in the best way. Tonight’s the night. You tuck your phone away, flex your wrist carefully, and grin to yourself. You can’t wait to see the look on her face.