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 mewantthem.”
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 atnight? 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.
