“You were always that man, Carson. You just needed to believe it.” She tangled her fingers with his. “And thank you. For doing the work. For actually changing. For proving that people can grow if they’re willing to try.”
“We both grew.”
“We did. Together. The way it’s supposed to be.”
Carson was quiet for a moment, listening to her breathing begin to slow as sleep pulled at her. Six months ago, he would have been at the station right now, hunched over case files, alone. Now he was here, holding the woman he loved, living a life he’d never thought he could have.
“I’m going to marry you someday,” he whispered, thinking she was already asleep.
“I know,” she murmured back, surprising him. “I’m counting on it.”
He smiled in the darkness. No grand declarations. No promises about forever. Just quiet certainty. The kind that came from doing the hard work and coming out the other side.
Tomorrow he’d follow up on the Eugene evidence. Would build the case that would keep a dangerous man behind bars where he belonged. Would do his job well and thoroughly.
But tonight? Tonight was just for this. For holding Nora. For feeling grateful. For acknowledging how far they’d both come.
The case could wait until morning. Some things—some people—were more important than work.
And Carson Black finally understood the difference.
Chapter 27
Nora adjusted the necklace Carson had given her for their six-month anniversary—a simple silver pendant with both their initials—and checked her reflection one more time before heading out.
Dinner with Lila and Jake. The new Jake. The one Lila had been dating for four months and was apparently getting serious about.
Her phone buzzed as she grabbed her purse. Carson:Have fun tonight. Don’t let Lila drink too much wine and start planning our wedding before I’ve even proposed.
Nora laughed and typed back:No promises. You know how she gets.
I do. That’s why I’m warning you. Love you.
Love you too.
She drove to Osteria, the Italian place downtown where Lila had insisted they meet. “Upscale but not stuffy,” Lila had said. “Perfect for the announcement.”
Announcement. Lila had been cryptic about what that meant, but Nora had her suspicions.
She found Lila and Jake already seated at a corner table. Lila looked radiant—practically glowing—and Jake looked nervous in that way men do when they’re about to share big news.
“There she is!” Lila jumped up and pulled Nora into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. We have news.”
“Let me guess,” Nora said, smiling. “You’re engaged?”
Lila’s jaw dropped. “How did you know?”
“You’re literally vibrating with excitement. And Jake looks like he’s about to pass out from nerves. It wasn’t hard to figure out.” Nora hugged them both. “Congratulations. I’m so happy for you.”
Jake relaxed visibly. “Thank you. I proposed last night. Took her to the place we had our first date and—” He smiled at Lila. “She said yes before I even finished asking.”
“Because I knew what you were going to say.” Lila held out her hand, showing off a beautiful diamond ring. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”
“It’s perfect.” And it was. Simple. Elegant. Very Lila.
They ordered wine—Lila insisting on champagne to celebrate—and settled into dinner. Nora listened to the proposal story, admired thering from every angle, and felt genuinely happy for her best friend.
“So we’re thinking spring wedding,” Lila said, scrolling through photos on her phone. “Something outdoors. Not huge, maybe a hundred people. And, Nora—” She looked up with eyes that were suddenly serious. “I want you to be my maid of honor. If you’ll do it.”
