Briar We spent the afternoon exploring the town, popping into quaint shops and admiring the local art. At one point, Damian disappeared into a*****e, emerging with a small gift bag and a secretive smile. "What's that?" I asked, curiosity piqued. He grinned, holding it out of reach. "Nuh-uh. It's a surprise. For later." I pouted playfully. "No fair. You know I hate surprises." Damian laughed, pulling me close for a quick kiss. "Liar. You love surprises. You just hate not knowing what they are." As the sun began to set, we made our way down to the lake. I'd packed a picnic dinner – all of Damian's favorites, of course. We spread out a blanket on the shore, the sound of gentle waves providing a soothing backdrop. "This is amazing, Briar," Damian said, looking out over the water. The se

