Noah’s hand finds the small of my back, palm warm through my shirt, and I hold onto that feeling. “You doing okay?” he murmurs against my ear, his voice barely audible over the bass.
I nod, shake my head, nod again.
“I’m here. We’re together. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I exhale deeply and nod. I’m okay.
He comes behind me, wrapping me in his arms, breath warming my ear. “Pretty great family we’ve got here.”
My eyes find them immediately, a smile springing to my lips. Our friends are already waving from the corner—Abbie practically bouncing, Ciarán with a beaming smile, Aiden and Theo standing behind them, laughing at something.
I feel the weight of the ring sitting snugly around my finger. I’ve been waiting days to show them, they already know we’re engaged because I called them as soon as I could. But still, this is an important moment, and I deserve to enjoy it. We both do.
When I look at Noah, all the noise blurs around the edges. His blue eyes are warm, focused on mine, that crooked smile tugging up like I’m the only person in the world who matters. “Ready?” he asks.
I shake out my limbs. I can do this. “…Yes.”
He threads our fingers together and lifts our hands to his mouth, kissing the ring—like he’s reminding me it’s there, and so is he, and I don’t have to do anything alone.
We cross the room, Noah shielding me from most of the chaos. When we reach the table, Abbie shrieks, “OH MY GOD, YOU TWO—”
I flush immediately, laughing awkwardly. “Calm d—”
“SHOW ME THE RING!” she demands, and suddenly everyone’s crowding in. Noah slings an arm around me and smacks a wet kiss on my cheek. The look in his eyes is all pride. And not just pride that I’m here, he’s proud to be with me. He’s enjoying showing me off. The thought makes me grin at him. I’m proud to show him off too, he looks beautiful tonight in dark jeans and a crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbows. His hair is pushed back off his face for a change. I’m going to marrythis man, this gorgeous, sweet, sexy man. My face splits with a smile.
I lift my hand and let them see. Everyone fusses over it, congratulating us both. Abbie is bawling her eyes out, no idea what she’s even saying. Aiden puts a hand on both our shoulders, then drags us in for a hug, clapping our backs. When Theo wraps an arm around me, I lean into him. “Really happy for you both,” he tells us before hugging Noah.
Finally, delicate fingers find my hand, a thumb brushing over the ring. When Ciarán looks up, those cerulean eyes are shining beneath thick lashes and dark waves. The lights make his skin look iridescent, catching on the shimmer of his cheeks.
“Gabe,” he starts with a wobble in his voice. He squares his shoulders and sniffs it back, smiling sweetly. “You have no idea how happy it makes me to see you so happy,” he says earnestly, and my own eyes start to well.
The others have backed up now, giving us space.
“C…” I breathe.
He shakes his head, giving me a lopsided grin. “I am so unbelievably proud of you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” He speaks so low I barely hear him over the music, but I feel the words.
I drag him into me, resting my chin on his head, and we squeeze each other tight. When he pulls back, his smile is sly. “Okay, enough sappy shit,” he declares, making me chuckle. “Let’s have a good time. You deserve it.”
After being here an hour, I feel settled. The nerves aren’t totally gone, but I feel strangely calm. The place is packed, the music is loud, but we’re tucked away in a corner.
I’m sitting on a stool, arms crossed, watching Abbie and Ciarán dance. They’re not even trying to look good; they’re doing some seriously dorky moves. I can’t stop smiling at them.
A warm palm lands on my thigh. I don’t jolt, I don’t panic. I know his touch. I uncross my arms and place a hand over his.
“Jesus, I feel like a third wheel,” my brother grumbles.
Noah’s eyes glitter as he watches me before saying, loud enough for Aiden to hear, “Aw, my least favorite Shaw is feeling left out.”
I bite back a laugh as Aiden grunts, “Fuck you. You should be grateful to me. You wouldn’t know Gabe if it wasn’t for me. Don’t make me regret sharing that sandwich with you twenty years ago.”
Noah’s eyes soften instantly. He claps Aiden on the back. “Forever grateful.”
I feel those words. I have no idea how I got lucky enough to end up with a sweet man like him, but I’ll spend my life showing him how much he means to me. I lean in and kiss his cheek. I feel his smile as his lips tick up.
“Hey, who’s Theo dancing with?” Noah asks.
I scan the crowd, spotting him off to the side, dancing with a smaller man, copper hair shining under the lights. “I think that’s Luke,” I respond, squinting to see better. Yeah, definitely him. I can’t believe he’s here, he’s always been so shy and awkward.
