“That was some speech,” he said, bumping my shoulder.
“Thank you. I meant every word.”
“I know.” He glanced at me, a teasing light in his eyes. “You do realize you basically called me out in front of the whole town, right? Mom is never going to let me hear the end of it.”
“She was already crying, Braden. I think I just gave her what she wanted to hear.”
He laughed, and we walked in comfortable silence for afew minutes, the easy rhythm of our steps a conversation in itself. The tension of the day—the speeches, handshakes, and public performance—finally bled away, leaving only this quiet peace between us.
“So, Marathon,” I said, breaking the silence.
“It’s a done deal. The ink is drying on the lease for the next Tidal Hops location.”
“I’m proud of you.” I squeezed his hand. “It’s a big move.”
“It is,” he agreed. “But I’ve been thinking a lot about it. For years, Tidal Hops was my proof. Proof I wasn’t just some Coleridge screw-up.” He stopped walking and turned me to face him. “Then you came back and started building this place, not to prove a damn thing, but because you believed in it. It changed my perspective.”
“How?”
“I’m tired of proving. I just want to build. With you.” We stopped, and he tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear, his fingers warm against my skin. “The Marathon location is bigger, and it needs more attention. I’ll have to hire a general manager for it, trust someone else with my new baby. And I’m thinking about doing the same for the Sunset Siesta pub too.”
“Can you do that?” I teased gently. “The man who color-codes his schedule?”
His grin was slow and wide. “I’m evolving. For you, I might learn to live with a little chaos.”
“A little chaos? Braden, have you met my research data? My desk is a natural disaster.”
“I know. I love your desk. I love your mess.” His expression grew serious again. “The point is, the new location means I won’t be tied to the bar sixty hours a week. It means more time for other things.”
“Other things?” I prompted, my heart starting to race.
“Things like helping my partner launch a research vessel. Or taking a weekend off to go diving for fun, not for data. Or maybe, eventually, teaching our kids how to identify coral species.”
I swallowed hard, the image he painted was so vivid I could see it. “You’ve really thought about this.”
“For a year, Tessa. It’s all I’ve thought about.” He took my hand, and we started walking again, our pace slower now. “Ben told me something after… after everything fell apart. He said the real tragedy isn’t losing a worthy fight, but being too scared to show up for it. I was so scared of losing you again that I almost didn’t show up. I’m never making that mistake again. I’m here for all of it. For you, for this, and for whatever comes next.”
We reached a section of beach where the white sand was particularly soft and pristine.
“I brought you out here for a reason,” he said quietly.
“Oh, really?” I turned to face him, a small smile playing on my lips. “And here I thought we were just enjoying the view.”
He let out a short, nervous laugh. “Everything’s perfect. Just... working up to something.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I know you just answered a million questions back there and are probably sick of them. I was hoping I could get in on the act and ask one too.”
My smile softened. “Depends on the question.”
“I think it’s a good one.” The twinkle in his blue eyes faded, and his face grew serious. “I’ve been planning it for a while.”
He reached into his pocket.
My heart stopped.
He held my gaze. “I love you, Tessa. I loved you when I was seventeen and didn’t know how to fight for you. I loved you when I was too scared to believe you’d choose to stay.And I love you even more now, when you’ve shown me that home isn’t a place you escape to. It’s a place you build with someone you choose, every single day.”
He dropped to one knee in the sand and opened a small velvet box. Inside, a stunning solitaire diamond caught the last rays of the sun, throwing sparks of light.
“Building this place with you has been the honor of my life,” he continued. “But it’s just the first thing. I want to build everything with you. A life, a family, a future. I want to argue with you about mangrove preservation, celebrate your grant approvals, and hold your hand when you worry about fundraising. I want it all, Tessa. Forever. Will you marry me?”
