Surprise

Lena's POV

Graduation was supposed to feel a lot more exciting than this.

Four years of lectures, deadlines, exams, and part time jobs ended with a degree, a handshake, and an inbox full of job listings.

I sat on the floor of my apartment, staring at my laptop screen.

My résumé was open, again. This was the third time I'd cross checked it this week to make sure there were no errors.

A knock sounded at my door, before I could answer, it swung open.

"You know that's technically breaking and entering, right?" I said without looking up.

"You gave me a key."

"That was a mistake."

My best friend, Liz, walked in carrying two iced coffees and a mischievous smile which meant she was planning something.

I narrowed my eyes. "What do you want?”

“You already know what I want, so why bother asking?” She said as she sat on the couch behind me.

“You already know my answer, so why do you keep on asking?” I retorted.

"Come on, Lena. Please."

I sighed.

"How many times are we going to have this conversation?"

"As many times as it takes," she replied.

I should have known.

For the past week, Liz had been trying to convince me to spend part of my summer at her family's lakeside estate.

Her cousin was getting married. There would be an engagement celebration, wedding preparations, family events, and apparently enough activities to keep everyone entertained.

Meanwhile, I had plans. I wanted to get a job as soon as possible.

The diner I'd worked at throughout college had been enough to pay bills and survive finals, but graduation changed things.

I couldn't carry plates forever.

Sooner or later, I needed to start my actual career.

"Lena, you've spent the last three days staring at that résumé."

"That's because I want it to be perfect."

“Just one month, Lena. That's all I'm asking for. We just survived finals and graduation, you paid your landlord three months of rent upfront so you wouldn't lose the apartment while figuring out your next move. You are officially allowed to breathe.”

She was right, we graduated a week ago. Most people were celebrating, some were resting, some people were probably out somewhere enjoying the beginning of summer.

I was sitting in my tiny apartment trying to figure out how to survive on my savings, before I get a job.

“Liz, it’s your cousin’s engagement celebrations. It’s a family thing, I don’t want to crash it.”

"You aren't crashing. I am personally inviting you," Liz insisted. "If it were just the actual wedding day, I wouldn't bother you. I’d be too busy being forced into a bridesmaid dress. But because it’s a whole month of pre-wedding events at the estate. We get our own guest suite, we can sleep in, order whatever food we want, and lay out by the water. It’s an all-expenses-paid vacation from your own stress. Please tell me you’re not going to spend your first month after graduation staring at job listings until your eyes bleed.”

Liz had always been like this. Loud, persistent, and impossible to ignore. Which was probably why we became friends in the first place.

While everyone else had slowly backed away from me after discovering I spent most of my time either studying or working, Liz had somehow decided I was worth the effort.

She sat upright.

"Seriously, Lena. You need this."

The smile faded from my face, because unfortunately, she wasn't wrong.

The last few months had been exhausting.

Between classes, work, helping my mom with medical appointments and trying to save money for my younger sister's college expenses, I felt like I hadn't taken a real breath in years.

My father had walked out when I was twelve, since then it had been the three of us.

Me, mom, and Maya. And somehow Mom had managed to keep us together.

Now that she wasn't feeling well, everything felt heavier. Like I was constantly trying to keep things from falling apart.

But lately things started getting better.

Mom had finally been discharged from the hospital, Maya was finishing high school and talking nonstop about college applications.

And I'd graduated, against all odds.

Maybe Liz was right. It was only a month after all.

Liz noticed I was considering her offer and immediately decided to sweeten the deal.

“From what you told me, Liam only lives 3 hours away from the city.”

The moment she said that I hesitated.

Liz grinned. "There it is."

I sighed. Liam, the only person who could still make me blush like an idiot.

We'd met when I was a freshman and he'd been a senior.

Back then, I hadn't expected someone like him to notice me.

But he did, and three years later, we were still together.

Even if distance had made things complicated. We'd been doing long distance since he graduated, so I hadn't seen him in months.

The calls were shorter than they used to be, and some days it felt like we were both too busy to have a real conversation.

But he had just started a demanding new job, and I kept telling myself we'd find our rhythm again.”

If I go with Liz, I could surprise him. Actually see him, spend some time with him without a phone screen between us.

I thought about it and it wasn't such a bad idea. I could have a summer vacation, go to the engagement with Liz, and spend time with him.

“Fine, I'll come.” I said eventually.

“What?” Liz asked in disbelief.

“I said I'll come.”

For a moment she just stared at me, then she screamed and hugged me tightly.

“I knew you would. We're going on a summer vacation,” she squealed.

---

Later that evening I called my mother.

"Hey sweetheart."

"Hey Mom.”

"How's my graduate doing?"

"She's good. Still unemployed, however. How are you doing?"

Mom laughed.

"Maybe unemployment is exactly what you need for a week or two."

"How can you say that when you know we've still got your hospital bills to clear up."

"You've done more than enough Lena, you're allowed to rest. Besides, now that I'm getting better I can get back to working, so you don't have to worry about taking care of everyone again.”

“Yeah, about that,” I began. “Liz wants me to accompany her to her cousin's engagement ceremony. They're gonna stay there for a while, until the wedding, so she wants me to spend a month with her at her family's estate.”

“That's wonderful, Lena. You're not considering staying back are you? Lena, you've spent years taking care of everyone else. Go enjoy yourself.”

“I just don't want to leave you and Maya. What if something comes up, and you need me?”

“We'll be fine Lena. It's just a month, go have fun, okay?”

---

Two days later, I found myself standing in front of the largest house I'd ever seen.

"Estate," Liz corrected.

I stared.

"This is not an estate, it's a luxury resort."

She laughed.

The Hartley Estate looked like something out of a movie. I suddenly became very aware of my suitcase, and my budget.

We carried our luggage upstairs and settled into a beautiful guest suite overlooking the lake.

The room alone was bigger than my apartment. I wasn't sure whether to be impressed or offended.

Maybe both.

After a quick shower and a change of clothes, we went downstairs.

"The engagement party starts in twenty minutes."

I smoothed my dress, trying to remain calm.

Tomorrow I would surprise Liam, that thought made me smile. Liz had been right all along, this trip really was exactly what I needed.

The hall the engagement was held in looked amazing. The glass tables were neatly decorated with flowers and LED candles.

I followed Liz through the crowd, taking in the decorations and lights. She stayed with me for a while, but she had to excuse herself to go meet her aunt who was calling her.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention for a moment," a voice called out from the stage.

An older man stood with a microphone.

I turned toward the center of the stage, curious to see the happy couple Liz had mentioned.

"Tonight, we are gathered to celebrate the upcoming union of two wonderful families," the man continued, his smile radiant. "My beautiful daughter, Eleanor, has found her perfect match. Please join me in raising a glass to Eleanor and her fiancé, William!"

The crowd applauded as the space opened up, allowing the bride-to-be to step forward. Eleanor Hartley was stunning in a white silk cocktail dress.

She was laughing, her hand tucked tightly into the arm of the man standing beside her.

I looked at the groom, and immediately the smile on my face disappeared.

Standing in the center of the spotlight, with his arm wrapped around Eleanor’s waist, was Liam in a black tuxedo.

My boyfriend, standing beside a beautiful woman wearing an engagement ring.