"Hey," I say, breaking the comfortable silence between us. "Want to show me your property at Serenity Cove tomorrow?"
Eliza's face lights up, her smile outshining the stars above. "I'd love to! We can make a day of it."
When we reach my cabin, I unlock the door, stepping aside to let her in first. The space feels more like ours now, with her books scattered on the table, her coat hanging on the back of a chair, and the faint scent of her shampoo lingering in the air. Her cabin next door might be perfectly fine, but being apart even for sleep feels unnatural.
Inside, I pull Eliza close, breathing in the scent of her hair, the heat of her body reminding me of everything I'm afraid to lose. I brush a kiss against her lips, wishing I could stay right here, in this moment, forever.
"I need to talk to Finn about something," I say, kissing her again, lingering a second longer. "I'll be back later. Don't wait up for me, okay?"
Her eyes search mine, that unmistakable spark of curiosity in them. "Is everything all right?"
Everything's not all right. Not really. I'm giving up one of our last nights together, and I hate it. But there's a knot in my chest I can't ignore, something I have to settle before I can focus on anything else. "Everything's fine," I say instead, hoping the lie sounds convincing enough. "Get some rest, and I'll see you in the morning."
Eliza studies my face. "If you say so. Don't stay up too late."
I watch her head to the bedroom, the pull of her almost magnetic. We've been inseparable since that first night we made love, tangled up in each other like we couldn't stand the distance. The thought of being apart feels wrong. But as I turn back to the door, the gravity of the night hits me. My heart pounds—not from what I'm about to say to Finn, but from the realization that this could be one of the few nights I have left with Eliza before I head back to the rig.
After grabbing my jacket, I step out into the frigid night. The cold hits me like a physical force, but I barely notice it. My mindis too full of Grace's words—six months, not a year—and the weight of what I'm about to do.
The short walk across the lodge grounds gives me time to gather my thoughts. Each crunch of my boots against the frozen ground marks another step toward a future I never thought I'd have. The stars above are impossibly bright, like scattered diamonds on black velvet, and I wonder if they're watching, bearing witness to this moment that feels bigger than I am.
My heart thuds against my ribs, not from the cold or the walk, but from the magnitude of what I'm about to ask. Marriage. Family. A life so different from the lonely existence I've known on the rigs.
Light spills from the common room windows, where I know I'll find Finn. Through the glass, I can see him moving around inside, and for a moment, I hesitate. We've been friends since college, been through hell and back together, but this conversation feels different. Tonight, I'm not just asking my best friend for advice—I'm asking for his blessing to marry his sister.
I take a deep breath, watching it cloud in the frigid air, and knock. The sound seems to echo in the quiet night, but it's done. No turning back now.
"It's open," Finn calls from inside.
I find him nursing a beer and gazing out the window at the star-studded sky. He looks up as I approach, then wordlessly hands me a bottle from the cooler at his feet. I gather my resolve for the conversation ahead. This is it—the first step toward the rest of our lives.
"Thanks," I say, settling into the chair next to him. The cold beer is a welcome contrast to the heat rising in my chest.
"So," Finn says after a moment, "you survived the official meet-the-parents. Congrats."
I chuckle, but it feels hollow. "Yeah, about that ... I want to talk to you about something."
Finn raises an eyebrow, waiting.
I brace myself. "I'm going to ask Eliza to marry me before I leave for the rig."
Finn doesn't react right away, his expression unreadable as he stares out the window. The silence stretches, thick with uncertainty, and I can feel my pulse hammering in my ears. What is he thinking? Is he going to tell me I'm crazy, that it's too fast?
Finn's expression shifts before he breaks into a slow grin. "Wow. When I told you to take care of my sister, I didn't meanforever, you know."
Relief floods through me, and I laugh, the tension in my chest loosening. "Sorry, no takebacks. You're stuck with me now."
Finn claps me on the shoulder, his expression turning serious. "I'm happy for you both, truly. But you know it won't be easy, right? With Mom's condition, your job on the rig..."
My throat tightens. "I know. But after everything that's happened, I've realized life's too short to wait. I love her, Finn. I want to spend whatever time we have together."
Finn's expression softens, but there's a flicker of hesitation. "I get that, but ... are you sure you're not rushing into this? You've only been together a short time."
I pause, feeling the weight of his concern, but my resolve is solid. "Yeah, I'm sure. This isn't about time; it's about knowing she's the one I want beside me through whatever comes next. I've never been more certain of anything."
Finn studies me for a long moment, then nods, understanding in his eyes. "Alright. So, do you have a ring picked out yet?"
I groan. "That's the problem. I don't have one. And I can't exactly pop into a jewelry store around here."
