"So the shelter renovations are officially complete?" he asks, sliding a perfect pile of fluffy eggs onto my plate.
"As of yesterday. Officially done." I can't keep the pride out of my voice. "It looks incredible, Ryder. Like a real, professional facility."
"It always was a real facility. Now it just looks like one."
I bump his shoulder with mine as he settles beside me at our small table. Through the back window, I can see our swing moving gently in the morning breeze, and beyond it, the town of Iron Ridge waking up to another perfect day.
"You know what's crazy?" I say, cutting into my eggs. "For the first time in years, I'm not stressed about anything. The shelter's thriving, the animals are healthy, we have enough funding to actually plan ahead instead of just surviving day to day."
"And?" Ryder prompts, clearly fishing for a compliment. At least some things around here don't change.
"And I have you." I lean over to kiss his cheek. "Everything feels... perfect. Like all the pieces finally fit together."
"Good," he says simply. "You deserve perfect, Mia."
There's weight behind his words that makes my chest warm, but before I can examine it too closely, his phone buzzes with a team message.
"Practice?" I ask.
"Just a quick skate. Coach wants to run some systems before our next home game." He stands, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "But I'll be home by four to get ready for tonight."
"Get ready for your mysterious surprise plan?"
"Exactly." He grins, grabbing his gear bag from the counter. "Six o'clock, I'll pick you up. Not a minute later. And Mia?"
"Yeah?"
"Dress warm, but..." He pauses, that nervous energy flickering across his face again. "Maybe wear something special underneath."
Heat floods my cheeks as he disappears out the door, leaving me to wonder what exactly he has planned for tonight.
The day flies by in a blur of final construction paperwork and satisfied animals.
Zoe has been bouncing around like she's had too much caffeine, clearly excited about something but being mysteriously tight-lipped when I ask what has her so wound up.
By five-thirty, I'm standing in front of our bedroom mirror, adjusting the emerald green dress I chose for whatever Ryder has planned tonight.
Underneath, I'm wearing the red lace set that makes me feel like I could conquer the world. Or at least reduce my hockey-playing boyfriend to incoherent stammering.
The sound of Ryder's truck in the driveway makes my stomach flutter and I peer out of the window just as he honks the horn. I grab my coat and purse, checking my reflection one last time before heading downstairs.
I slide into the passenger seat, immediately enveloped by the familiar scent of his cologne and the warmth radiating from his body.
"Ready for your mysterious evening?" he says, his eyes doing that slow sweep over my dress that makes heat pool low in my belly. "You look incredible."
He backs the truck up and soon we're enjoying easy conversation about our day. As we start the incline up the mountain, Ryder's hand finds mine across the center console, and I can't stop the smile and warm feeling spread in my belly.
But where the hell is he taking me?
The moment the cliffs open up and the view overlooking the small town below comes into sight, I feel a rush of nostalgia mixed with excitement wash over me.
"Lookout Point," I whisper, watching Ryder's smirk grow.
It's been months since we've been up here together, not since that night early in our relationship when everything still felt fragile and new.
Now, as the sun starts its descent behind the mountains, I feel nothing but anticipation.
And when I see what he's set up, my breath catches in my throat.
