But when his reply popped up seconds later, her smile vanished.
“Yep. With Valerie. We’re just near your favorite bakery.”
Her stomach dropped. The room seemed to spin. For a split second, she convinced herself it had to be a mistake — or worse, the truth. The bakery? Her favorite one? How could he know to twist the knife like that?
Amelia’s mind raced. She threw on a coat, grabbed her keys, and dashed out the door. The entire drive felt endless. She imagined them sitting together, sharing pastries, laughing at her expense. Tears pricked her eyes as she rehearsed what she’d say when she found them.
When she finally arrived, she scanned every table inside the cozy little shop. No Mark. No mysterious Valerie. Just the warm scent of bread and cinnamon rolls mocking her panic. She searched the street outside, heart hammering, until finally — trembling — she texted him again.
“Where are you?”

His reply came instantly.
“At work. Why?”
Confused, she typed furiously: “You said you’re with Valerie near the bakery!”
Then came the message that broke the tension completely:
“I was just joking. Since you’re already there, you might as well grab the bread!”

Amelia froze. The absurdity hit her all at once — she’d been out-pranked. The man she tried to trick had turned her own game against her, and brilliantly. Her frustration melted into laughter right there in the middle of the bakery. The cashier raised an eyebrow as she wiped tears of relief from her cheeks.
“Fine,” she muttered to herself, half amused, half defeated. She bought the bread. Then, unable to resist, she added his favorite chocolate pastries to the order.
By the time she got home, her pulse had slowed, replaced by a mix of embarrassment and affection. Mark stood in the kitchen, phone in hand, grinning like a schoolboy caught in a prank.
“So… how’s Valerie?” he teased.

She tried to glare, but it only lasted a second before laughter burst out of her. “You’re impossible,” she said, swatting his arm before pulling him into a hug.
The tension dissolved completely. In that silly moment, surrounded by the smell of fresh bread and laughter, they remembered what made their marriage strong — humor, trust, and a willingness to laugh even when things go sideways.

Later that night, over warm slices of bread and pastries, Amelia raised her glass and said, “To Valerie — whoever she is — for teaching me not to jump to conclusions.”
Mark chuckled. “And to my wife, who learned the hard way never to prank a prankster.”

It became one of their favorite stories — a reminder that love isn’t just about grand gestures or perfect moments. Sometimes, it’s about the laughter that follows a near-heart attack and the simple joy of turning a panic-filled day into a memory they’ll cherish forever.