A burst of applause rang out.
Danny Rodriguez was huge, with dark eyes and olive skin. The man looked almost regal in the glow of the lanterns, a strong presence with a steady voice as he addressed the crowd.
Eli grinned. Sothatwas the Ghost of Christmas Present.
“Thank you all for coming,” Danny said. “It’s been an honor joining this town. You’ve made me feel welcome in ways I didn’t expect.”
The crowd clapped warmly.
Aileen fanned herself with a gloved hand. “Oh my.”
Eli laughed. “Feeling okay there, sis?”
She leaned in close and whispered, “He’s freakin’gorgeous!” Then she rolled her eyes. “Which probably means he’s gay, knowing my luck.”
Danny lifted the ceremonial switch, an old, brass thing that probably predated electricity.
“Ready?” he hollered.
The crowd roared.
“Then let’s start the countdown. Ten…. Nine….”
Eli scanned the people standing around the square. Noah should’ve been here. This was his favorite part of the festival. He’d told Eli about it twice, how the pines lit up like a winter crown, how the moment made him feel as if magic was real.
Where are you?
The murmur of the crowd grew louder, shifting like ripples. “Seven…Six…”
“Hey,” said a voice behind him, breathless and warm.
Eli spun around.
Noah stood there, his cheeks flushed from the cold, his beanie dusted with snow, his scarf crooked around his neck.
He was beautiful.
Except he was more than that. Noah looked radiant.
“You’re late,” Eli whispered.
“I know.” Noah stepped closer. “I just hope it’s worth it.”
“Worth what?”
Before Noah could answer, Danny called out again. “Three! Two! One!”
The pine trees ignited in brilliant white, and the sight robbed Eli of every ounce of breath. Between two of the tallest pines, strung high, glowing in the frosty dark, were words woven in twinkling lights:
ELI WINTERS WILL YOU HOLD MY HAND FOREVER?
Multiple gasps rang out, and someone shouted, “Oh myGod!” Cheers erupted, and a wave of collectiveawwwwwwwwws rippled through the throng.
Aileen squeezed Eli’s arm so hard he yelped.
“Oh my God, he did it,” she whispered. “He actually did it.”
Eli was shaking.
