I turned.
Jace stood there, half-hidden by the doorframe.
Behind him, at least five relatives hovered in a badly arranged stack.
“Damn,” Jace said. “We’re recording all of this.”
My eyes went wide. “What?”
Drew’s head snapped toward him. “Jace.”
Jace lifted both hands, one of which held a phone.
“Have you no dignity?” I demanded.
“Trust me,” Jace said. “You’re gonna want to show this to your kids someday.”
“Our kids?” I squeaked.
Someone behind him whispered, “Get me some popcorn. This shit’s getting good.”
My mouth fell open.
“My love life is not a reality TV show.”
A teenage boy in a ski hoodie leaned into view. “No, dude, this is much better.”
Another one said, “Bro, I can’t wait to tell the boys about Texas and the snow.”
Drew pointed at the door. “Inside.”
Jace looked at him. “You sure? Because she’s kind of crushing this.”
“Inside.”
Jace sighed dramatically and started backing up. “Fine. But for the record, this family supports grand gestures.”
A woman’s voice called, “We support love!”
“Mom,” Jace groaned.
The door shut.
For three whole seconds, Drew and I just stared at it.
Then, despite everything, I laughed.
A broken, wet, ridiculous laugh that burst out of me in the freezing air.
Drew tried not to.
Failed.
The laugh changed his whole face.
I reached into my coat pocket with shaking fingers.
His smile faded when he saw the small box.
