Surprisingly, I didn't need the help of an alarm to wake up this morning.
I groaned and buried my face deeper into the pillow, utterly disappointed by my early awakening.
For a few seconds, I was completely disoriented.
I had no idea where I was.
Then the memories slowly came back.
The fair.
The Ferris wheel.
Daven.
My eyes immediately scanned the room for my purse.
The moment I spotted it, I sat up, grabbed it, and opened it.
The photo booth pictures were still inside.
Since there had been three copies, I had taken one set while Daven kept the other.
I found myself staring at them longer than necessary.
A small smile tugged at my lips as bits and pieces of yesterday replayed in my head.
The spinning ride.
Throwing up in front of Daven.
The Ferris wheel.
The photo booth.
The way he had stood outside his car, watching me walk into the hotel.
My phone suddenly buzzed on the bedside table.
I reached for it.
Raymond: Still alive?
Raymond: Or did your handsome date hold you hostage?
Raymond: Hello???
A laugh escaped me.
Trust Raymond to wake up and immediately choose violence.
Without wasting another second, I tapped the FaceTime button.
After about three rings, he answered.
"Heyyyyy!" he said the second his face appeared on my screen. "Congratulations on your first date. Finally. Bless you, Lord."
He rolled his eyes dramatically and I couldn't help laughing.
"I'm sorry I forgot to tell you about the date. I should've told you the moment—"
He cut me off immediately.
"Cut me some slack, Aubrey. I was the one who sent you on that vacation."
"No, you didn't, but carry on," I corrected.
He waved a hand dismissively.
"What I'm trying to say is that I don't expect you to call me every day. You're out there to have fun, babe."
He leaned closer to the camera.
"And as for this being your first date, yeah, you should've told me. But I also know you were probably excited, nervous, and overthinking everything. So instead of calling me, you asked Google, YouTube, or maybe even TikTok for advice."
I blinked.
"It's honestly shocking how you're always right."
He shrugged proudly.
"What can I say? I'm Mr. Right."
I groaned.
"Anyway, enough about me. Spill it. I want every single detail."
Then he narrowed his eyes dramatically.
"And I have to give it to you. You really flew to Vegas on a mission to collect attractive men because damn, the guy in that picture is hot as hell."
"Cut it out. We're casual, platonic friends. He suggested the date so we could get to know each other one-on-one."
"Call it whatever you want," he replied. "That picture of you two together and that smile on your face tells me everything I need to know."
"Why do you keep instigating my relationship life? Now I regret telling you."
I stuck out my lower lip.
"Darling, I only want what's best for you and clearly it's that guy."
Then he put on the most ridiculous smile imaginable, trying to imitate me.
"'Ohhh poor Jake. His señorita has been taken.'"
"Ray, please stop."
I laughed despite myself.
"You might be right about me having a thing for Jake, but Daven and I are just friends."
I paused.
"What am I saying? We literally just became friends."
"Okay, okay." He lifted both hands in surrender. "I was only teasing. Since when did my bestie become this serious?"
Then a mischievous grin appeared on his face again.
"Now back to the important stuff. How was the date? Were there any subtle romantic gestures? Any accidental hand holding? Any meaningful eye conta—"
"RAYMOND!!!"
"Okay! Fine! Sorry! Geez!"
He threw his hands up dramatically.
"It was actually really fun," I admitted. "We played games and I won this for you."
I held up the stuffed cat.
His eyes immediately widened.
"Awwwwwwww. Aubrey, you got me a son."
I laughed.
"We went on a bunch of rides too. There was this spinning ride that nearly sent me to the afterlife."
"Classic Aubrey."
"Heyyy!"
"And then?"
"We went on the Ferris wheel. You saw the video I sent, right? After that we took pictures in one of those photo booths and that was pretty much it. Also, before I forget... he's a gambler."
"Ooooooooooh. No wonder he's so hot," Raymond said.
"I just don't think he's an actual gambler. I mean, he has the mysterious aura of one, but not the personality," I said, still unconvinced. "The Daven who took me out on a date, held my hair while I was throwing up, and lost at a claw machine game is a gambler? Yeah... okay."
"How many times have I warned you about making assumptions?" he asked. "Like you told me before, you're only just getting to know him. Don't be too quick to decide who he is."
Then his expression softened.
"Wow."
"What now?"
"My darling is finally learning how to relax and have fun."
He smiled.
"No more Aubrey working herself to death twenty-four seven."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop smiling.
"Speaking of work, how are things over there?"
"Everything is perfectly fine and under control."
He pointed at himself.
"My control."
Then he narrowed his eyes.
"And don't think I didn't notice that topic change."
"What? Can't I be concerned about my company?"
"Our company," he corrected immediately. "Which is currently under my care, so quit your whining."
"Okay, fine. Whatever's gotten into you today."
He grinned.
"I missed you too."
"Can I call you back? I need to go do something," I said, still smiling.
"Yeah, why not? Love ya. Mwah."
I caught the kiss with a grin and ended the call.
There was a lot I wanted to do today.
But first—
I needed a shower.
So I headed to the bathroom.
Before stepping in, I grabbed my phone, turned on some of my favorite energetic jams, and hit play. I loved listening to music while I showered.
And this wasn't one of those quick showers.
I took my time.
I washed my hair, used different oils to keep it healthy and shiny, washed my face with the kind of soap that declared war on anything acne-related, then scrubbed every inch of my body.
I spent way too much time doing all that, but if I wanted to keep my already soft skin soft, I might as well go the extra mile.
By the time I was done, nearly an hour had passed.
I finally rushed out before I turned into a wrinkled raisin.
I sat in front of the mirror and brought out my skincare and hair products. One by one, I moisturized my skin and worked through my hair.
Thankfully, the room's AC was working overtime, so drying off wasn't a problem.
When I was finally satisfied with my appearance, I walked over to my bag, opened it, and pulled out the most comfortable yet cute dress I could find.
After getting dressed, I picked up my phone and headed for the lobby.