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’shell 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.”
