Chapter 6 #4
But an hour and a half later, the sun was almost fully set—sky fading from orange to deep purple—and everyone who was left at the grounds seemed to have shown up for the fun.
Seated near the back of the dining hall, Noah leaned his elbows on a table as he watched Nimue and Meg demolish “It’s Raining Men” on the makeshift stage at the far end of the room.
Speakers flanked a microphone stand, and colored lights threw splashes of red and blue across the rough-hewn wall behind it.
The equipment looked out of place against the rustic grandeur—too modern, too bright—like someone had dragged a piece of Vegas into the wilderness.
Proposal plan: officially dead.
The girls were hamming it up, Meg’s voice strong and confident on the high notes. She kept pointing at him during certain lyrics, eyes sparkling with mischief.
Despite his ruined plans, Noah found himself grinning.
She was having so much fun. How could he be upset?
Liam slid into the seat beside him. “You doing okay?”
“What?”
“I know this isn’t easy for you.” Liam kept his voice low, under the music. “Watching everyone gear up for tomorrow while you’re stuck at dispatch. But we need you coordinating communications—”
“Liam, that’s not—”
“—and I know you’ve been working on the control thing. Trusting the team without you there.” Liam sipped his Coke. “This is good practice, right?”
Noah looked at his friend and saw genuine concern.
Liam thought this was about Noah’s inability to let go. His need to lead every mission instead of trusting his rangers.
And normally, he wouldn’t be wrong. Three weeks ago, Noah would have had his pack loaded, ready to lead one of the two teams himself no matter the doctor’s orders.
But that wasn’t what this was about.
“Liam.” Noah pulled the small velvet box from his pocket, holding it below the table. He flipped it open just long enough for Liam to see the three-quarter-carat diamond glinting in the dim light.
Liam’s eyes went wide. His mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. “Thanks, Noah, but I’m taken.”
Noah shook his head, snapping the box shut. “Hilarious.”
Liam blinked a few times as he drew a breath. “Wait. Tonight? You’re going to—”
“Was. Past tense.” Noah glanced at the darkening sky. “Had this whole plan. Sunset at the lookout.”
“That’s…” Liam paused. “That’s pretty fast, though, isn’t it? You guys have only been official for a few weeks.”
“True.” Noah’s hand found the ring box again. “But we’ve been building this thing between us for a couple years. Morning coffee dates. Sharing, talking, opening up. Me falling in love while being in complete denial. Trust me, it was nowhere near fast.”
He leaned forward, eyes locked on Meg as she took her bow. Her face glowed with happiness.
“Now that I’m done pretending I don’t want forever with her?” His voice came out rough. “I’m ready for forever to start. I’d drive her to Vegas and elope if she was willing.”
Liam was quiet. Then he nodded slowly. “I’m happy for you, man. Really.” A pause. “Any plan B?”
“I’ll figure something out. Maybe after everyone leaves tomorrow—”
“Noah!” Meg’s voice cut through as she and Nimue returned, both breathless from performing. She slid in beside him, her hand finding his. “You okay? Your side isn’t bothering you, is it?”
So much for hiding it.
“Side feels great. I’m fine.”
Her gaze darted out the large floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the canyon. “We missed the sunset. I am so sorry.”
He offered her hand a squeeze. “We’ll catch the next one. No big deal.”
But his smile must not have been convincing because she pushed on. “Are you upset about not going out with the teams tomorrow?”
Noah opened his mouth, completely lost for words. He couldn’t exactly say, “Actually, I’m upset because I was going to propose tonight and now the sunset is ruined and the ring is just sitting in my pocket and I love you so much it terrifies me.”
“It would kill me to stay behind too,” Liam jumped in. “But with Eden on one of the teams, I’m glad you’ll be on the other end of the radio.”
Thank you, Liam.
Meg’s expression softened. She checked her watch, then glanced at the windows where the last traces of the colored sky were fading. “It’s getting late. Do you want to leave?”
Noah looked at Meg’s face, still flushed with happiness. At Nimue trying to convince Liam to do a duet.
The proposal could wait.
This moment—Meg happy and relaxed, surrounded by friends, having the kind of fun she deserved after weeks of stress—this mattered more than his carefully laid plans.
“Let’s stay.” He pulled her closer, dropping a kiss on her head. Her hair smelled like lavender. “You’re having fun. I’m having fun watching you have fun. As long as you don’t try to get me up there.”
Meg’s grin turned wicked. “Challenge accepted.”
She kissed his cheek, then stood, already scanning the song list.
Noah slid his hand in his pocket and touched the ring box one more time.
Then let it go.
The timing would come. Maybe not tonight, maybe not tomorrow, but it would come.
Forever could wait one more day.