“Same. Solar array’s performing better than expected.”
They disappear into the kitchen to discuss generator maintenance.
Paige sits beside me on the couch. “This place looks good. Cole seems settled.” She smiles. “I’ve never seen him this… at peace. Wells says he’s different. Lighter.”
“He is,” I admit. “We both are.”
“Good. You both deserve it. And Lush Hollow’s better with you in it.”
“That means a lot.”
Paige touches my arm. “I mean it. You’re good for this town. And for him. Don’t underestimate that.”
At five minutes to midnight, Cole dims the lights. We gather by the window.
Cole wraps his arm around my waist. “Happy?”
“Very. You?”
“Yeah. Being seen isn’t so bad. Not when I’m being seen with you.”
I lean into him. “Thank you. For choosing me and proving it.”
“Every day,” he promises. “In public and in private.”
“Can you see the ridge from here?”
“Yeah. There.” Cole points to a dark mass in the distance, silhouetted against the lighter sky. “That’s home too.”
“Our home.”
“Yeah. Ours.”
The countdown starts. Everyone joins in, voices overlapping. “Ten. Nine. Eight.”
Cole pulls me close against his side.
“Seven. Six. Five.”
His other hand finds mine, fingers threading together, squeezing once.
“Four. Three. Two.”
Fireworks explode. Gold and silver and red, blooming bright against the black sky.
“One!”
He kisses me. The room erupts in cheers, noisemakers, and laughter, but I only hear my heartbeat, his breath, and the promise in the way he holds me.
When we break apart, he reaches into his pocket.
“I want to give you this.”
“Cole—”
“It’s not a ring. Not yet. But it’s—” He struggles for the words. “It’s a promise.”
He opens his hand.
