the sunlight caught in angelas hair like it was made to spotlight her. her lips curled into a small smile as she raised the wine glass towards you, catching your eye over the rim
“to the love of my life” she said, voice teasing but undeniably full of warmth “and to the woman who spent half her bank account spoiling me rotten today”
you smiled, chin propped in your hand as you watched her sip “only half? guess ill have to try harder next year”
she laughed, setting the glass down as she leaned in with her elbow on the table and eyes locked on yours like the rest of the world had fallen away
the two of you were at a small open air bistro tucked on the corner of a cobblestone street with the golden hour stretching across the city like something pulled from a film. your plates were half finished, your drinks were nearly full, and your shopping bags were stacked on the extra chair beside you with shoes she swore she didnt need, a new necklace that sat perfectly against her collarbone, and that vintage leather bound poetry book she gasped at in the tiny bookshop
“i feel like i should be doing something for you” she said softly, her fingers finding yours across the table “youve done everything today”
“youve been glowing since this morning” you said, brushing your thumb over her knuckles “thats enough.”
she tilted her head, smiling again “you make me feel like im the center of the universe”
“you are”
she squeezed your hand “do you remember our first anniversary? we made microwave mug cakes and split one bottle of grocery store wine”
“and then the power went out and we ended up playing cards by candlelight in our underwear” you added, laughing softly
she raised a brow “honestly? still one of the best nights of my life”
you leaned back in your chair, watching her as the light shifted just a little more golden, painting her skin like a sunset “weve come a long way huh?”
she nodded “id marry you again tomorrow”
you smiled “you kind of already did today. that boutique clerk literally said ‘congratulations on the honeymoon’ and you didnt correct her”
angela grinned wide, no shame in her expression “i liked the energy. let her believe were freshly obsessed”
“because were not?”
she tilted her head, that familiar spark in her eye “oh we are. you think id let someone else spend that much money on me and live to tell the tale?”
you laughed and angela stood up suddenly, walking around the small table and plopping herself down beside you on the bench. she didnt care who saw as she curled into your side with her head against your shoulder and sighed happily
“next year” she said, voice muffled against your sleeve “we rent a tiny cabin. just us, wine, and way too many blankets”
you nodded “and next time im buying you the whole bookstore”
she looked up at you with a lazy lovesick grin “youre really bad at saving money”
“and really good at loving you”
her smile faltered, just for a moment, with the kind of softness that had weight to it. then she leaned in and kissed you slowly like the day wasnt already perfect