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Alright, I had to stay focused. I was freaking out inside, completely unsure how to pull this off without messing it up. Damon, Theo, Enzo, Rowan, and Nicko had all jumped in to help me pull off this plan for Sofia-it was our one-year anniversary, and it had to be perfect.

"You've got this, Nick," Damon said, giving me a reassuring nod as he strung up the last of the lights.

Meanwhile, Sofia was with the girls-Cami, Josie, Seline, Freya, and Aurora. They were keeping her busy and helping her get ready, giving us just enough time to finalize the surprise.

The penthouse had been completely transformed into something magical-soft fairy lights draped from the ceiling, candles flickering on every surface, and an arrangement of roses that Theo had insisted on adding for the romantic touch.

Enzo was tweaking the playlist for the fiftieth time, muttering about how the vibe had to be "just right," while Rowan and Nico were setting up the dinner table with the catered dishes I'd picked out.

Theo clapped me on the back as he adjusted the centerpiece on the table. "You're going to knock her socks off, man. This is seriously next-level."

I rubbed the back of my neck, nerves still buzzing under my skin. "I just want her to feel special. She deserves it."

"She's going to love it," Rowan said, flashing a rare smile as he lit the last of the candles. "You've thought of everything."

The plan was simple but meaningful-a private dinner, followed by a slideshow of our moments from the past year, and then a rooftop moment to watch the stars. Everything about tonight was meant to show Sofia how much she meant to me.

"Five minutes," Nicko called out, glancing at his watch. "The girls just texted-Sofia's almost ready."

Damon, who had been unusually quiet, stepped forward and handed me the bouquet of red and white roses I'd picked out earlier. "Take a deep breath, Nick. This is your moment."

I nodded, trying to calm the rapid beating of my heart.

When the front door finally opened, all of us froze. Cami stepped in first, her face lighting up at the sight of the setup. She gave a subtle thumbs-up before stepping aside to let Sofia through.

And then, there she was.

Sofia stepped into the room, her dress flowing softly around her as she took in the sight before her. Her hair was styled in loose waves, and there was a spark of curiosity in her eyes. When her gaze landed on me, she smiled-a small, shy smile that still managed to make my heart skip a beat.

"Nick..." she whispered, her voice full of awe. "What is this?"

I stepped forward, holding out the bouquet. "Happy anniversary, Sofia," I said, my voice thick with emotion.

Her hands trembled slightly as she took the flowers, her eyes glistening. "This is beautiful. I can't believe you did all this."

"I had a lot of help," I admitted, glancing at the others. "But tonight is about us. I just... I wanted to celebrate everything we've been through this past year."

She threw her arms around me, the bouquet pressed between us as she hugged me tightly. "It's perfect," she whispered into my shoulder.

The group slowly started to slip away, giving us the space we needed. Theo shot me a wink on his way out, and Cami mouthed "Good luck" before closing the door behind her.

When we were finally alone, I led Sofia to the dinner table. The candlelight flickered softly, casting a warm glow over her face as we sat down.

"You've made this the best night," she said softly, her fingers tracing the edge of her glass. "I don't even know what to say."