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“Turns out some jobs at the county are hybrid now,” I read.

“What does that mean?” I asked him.

He flipped a card.

“Certain employees can work from home most of the time & live anywhere in the state.”

My eyes widened, and hope bloomed in my chest.

“Really?”

Another card flip.

“I finally got a transfer. I start a new job next week. It’s hybrid.”

“Wow Nathan, that’s great. I know you’ve been waiting for a transfer since before Christmas.”

I wasn’t sure what it meant that he had a hybrid job now, but I had a feeling it meant that our schedule problem was about to be solved. Another card flipped.

“I have one question for you.”

Suddenly Nathan lowered himself to one knee. I gasped as he dropped the note cards and pulled a dark blue ring box out of his jacket pocket. He popped it open, showing me a ring. A small red stone shone was set in a simple silver band. It was beautiful.

“Will you marry me Liz?” he asked out loud.

It was the most romantic thing that I’d ever seen in real life. I stared at him, frozen in shock, and his expression turned unsure. I felt a bony finger poke me sharply in the ribs.

“Don’t just stand there gawping at the boy Liz, tell him you’ll marry him.”

Evelyn’s words jolted me out of my shock.

“Yes Nathan, I will marry you.”

“Thank God.”

He surged to standing, slid the ring onto the ring finger of my left hand, then pulled me into his arms. His kiss was tender and sweet and full of promise. It was the perfect moment.

“I’d better be a bridesmaid.”

We pulled apart and I gave my friend an indulgent smile before turning back to Nathan.

“I hope you know when you marry me, you get Evelyn too.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Epilogue – Nathan

Seven months later...

“I’ve never been a ‘best woman’ before. This is fun.”

I gave my sister Steph a smile. “Well, you look beautiful.”

She was wearing a white linen suit that complimented her slim figure, and the brand new engagement ring on her finger sparkled in the sunlight.

Neither of us had ever expected to get married – it seemed so hopeful after the childhood we’d had—but Steph would be having a wedding of her own in a couple of months. Her fiancé sat in the second row, his eyes fixed on her like he couldn’t bear to look away.

My sister leaned forward. “I’m so happy for you, little brother.”