Chapter 19 #2
Then Noah kissed him, a warm press of lips that felt like the beginning of something inevitable.
Eli exhaled against his mouth, parted his lips, and Noah made a small, helpless sound that sent heat surging through him.
The world around them erupted into louder cheering, amid shouts.
“We called it!”
“Finally!”
Eli didn’t care.
They kissed again, Eli sliding his hand into Noah’s hair, Noah gripping Eli’s coat as though he didn’t ever want to let go.
When they finally broke apart, both breathless, Noah whispered, “So… that’s a yes? As in, yes, you’re mine forever? Yes, you’ll marry me?”
Eli’s heart was about to burst with joy.
He laughed and kissed him once more. “No—that’s a hell yes.”
As the pines glowed above them and the whole town cheered as if they’d been waiting for this moment all season long, Noah laughed, pulling him in.
I’m not scared anymore.
“Noah!”
He turned and smiled. “I thought you’d be here.”
Mark hugged him, then Liam took his turn.
Liam pressed his cheek to Noah’s. “Congratulations. I am so happy for you.”
When Liam released him, Noah put his arm around Eli’s shoulders. “This is Liam and Mark, two of my dearest friends. And when we finally set a date, it’s going to be tough deciding which of them gets to be my best man.”
Eli grinned. “Then why choose? What’s wrong with having two best men?”
Mark’s eyes gleamed. “Oh, I like him.” He shook his head. “Although I have to say, Noah, you’re one brave man.”
Noah frowned. “For wanting to marry Eli?”
He grinned. “No, for being prepared to have Aileen as your sister-in-law.”
“I heard that, Mark Sullivan!” Aileen stood behind Liam. “And if no one minds, I’d like to congratulate my brother.”
Eli laughed and a heartbeat later, Aileen enveloped him in a fierce hug. Then it was Noah’s turn, and he swore she cracked a couple of his ribs.
The next minutes blurred into a constant stream of people offering their best wishes, clapping them both on the back, everyone wearing broad smiles.
“Don’t you think you’d better introduce us?” a deep voice said from behind him.
Noah spun around. “Dad, Mom!” He took Eli’s hand in his. “This is—”
“Eli Winters, who has his name up in lights,” Mom finished. She beamed, her arms wide. “I remember you when you were a tiny little thing.”
Eli stepped into the hug, and warmth flooded through Noah.
Dad hugged him. “I am so happy for you,” he whispered. “Why didn’t you tell us at Thanksgiving?”
Noah flushed. “Because it hadn’t happened yet.”
Dad’s eyes were huge. “Seriously?”
He could read his father like a book. “Dad, you have nothing to worry about. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. Eli is amazing, and you’re gonna love him as much—”
“As much as you do?” Dad smiled. “I can’t wait to get to know him properly.” He tapped Mom on the shoulder. “I think we should let these two get on with the rest of their evening. After all, they just got engaged.”
Mom was still beaming. “We’ll see you both on Christmas Day?”
Noah glanced at Eli, who nodded, his eyes bright. “We’ll be there,” Noah told her.
As his parents walked away through the crowd, Eli turned to face him.
“Your mom gives the best hugs.”
Noah opened his mouth to speak but Aileen got in first.
“You two could be here all night at this rate. So why don’t you sneak off back to Noah’s place, and I’ll see you both tomorrow.” Her eyes sparkled. “I’m officially giving you the day off.”
Eli blinked. “But tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Won’t you need—”
“I’ll manage,” she said in a firm voice. “Now scoot, the pair of you. I’m sure you have better things to do than stand around here, freezing your butts off.”
Noah kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you—sis.”
Aileen flushed.
Snow crunched beneath their boots as they slipped away from the glowing pines, from the cheers and lantern-light and the soft hum of Mapleford celebrating around them. Eli’s hand stayed laced with Noah’s the entire walk, as if neither trusted the evening not to vanish like breath on cold air.
Noah couldn’t speak. His head was still spinning from Eli’s hell yes.
They rounded the corner past the bookstore, past the darkened workshop, past the last lamp on River Road, and at last they reached Noah’s porch.
Only then did Noah stop walking. Eli stepped closer, snowflakes catching in his hair.
Noah cupped Eli’s face. “And before you ask if I’m okay, the answer is no, absolutely not.” Eli’s brow furrowed, and Noah pulled him closer. “You said yes.”
Eli’s expression was almost shy. “I did.”
“You said yes,” Noah repeated, his voice trembling. “To me.”
Eli brushed his gloved thumb along Noah’s cheek. “Who else was I going to say yes to?”
Noah leaned in, his forehead to Eli’s.
“I’ve imagined asking someone someday,” Noah admitted. “But I never pictured this. I never pictured you, not even when I was stupid and lonely and wishing I believed in big things again.”
Eli’s breath caught. He slid a hand into Noah’s hair, tugging his beanie back a little.
“You didn’t only make me believe in big things,” he said quietly. “You made me want them.”
Noah kissed him, a lingering embrace that he felt all the way down to the soles of his feet. He held Eli’s waist with hands that wouldn’t stop shaking. Their lips brushed, pressed, parted, and returned. When they finally broke apart, both breathless, Noah rested his forehead against Eli’s again.
“Let’s get inside.”
Eli nodded, his eyes warm in the porch light. “Before something vital freezes and breaks off.”
Noah unlocked the door with fumbling fingers, and they stepped inside, kicking off snow, their hands still tangled. Eli closed the door behind them and leaned back against it, looking at Noah as if he was seeing him for the first time.
“You really hung lights for a proposal.” Eli shook his head in wonder. “In front of the whole town.”
Noah rubbed the back of his neck, his face glowing. “Yeah. That was kinda impulsive.”
Eli pushed off the door and walked straight into his arms.
“It was perfect.” Then he pulled back enough to meet Noah’s gaze. “I don’t think you can ever top that.”
Noah reached into his pocket, his heart thumping. “I’m not so sure about that.” He held out the black velvet ring box, opening it to reveal the results of his morning spent at the local jewelers.
Eli gaped at the white gold band. “When did you get that?”
Noah smiled. “You don’t think it took me all morning to put up those lights, do you? I did that part last night when there was no one around.”
Eli’s mouth fell open. “You did it at night? Alone? What if you’d fallen? You could’ve broken your damn neck.”
“I told myself you were worth it.”
“Well, don’t ever do something so crazy again. Do you hear me, Noah Carter?” Eli’s hands were on his hips.
Noah couldn’t hold back his smile. “I promise.” He removed the ring from its box.
“And if this doesn’t fit, I’ll get it resized.” He slid it onto Eli’s finger.
Eli gasped. “It fits.”
Noah beamed. “Well, that’s a good omen.” He cupped Eli’s cheek. “Kiss me?”
Eli’s face glowed. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Their lips met, Eli sighing into the kiss, Noah’s arms wrapped around him.
This is real.
And in that moment, he truly believed Eli was his forever.
He said yes.
And Noah wasn’t letting go.