Our old picnic spot has been transformed into something magical. A thick blanket is spread across the grass, surrounded by battery-powered lanterns that flicker gentle light across the area.
There's a bottle of champagne beside two glasses, and what looks like a full spread of food from the kitchen at Ridgeview Tavern.
"Ryder," I breathe, walking toward where he's standing at the edge of the overlook, hands shoved deep in his pockets. "This is incredible."
"You like it?" He turns, and I can see the nervous energy thrumming through him. "I wanted to recreate our spot, but... better. Turn what was our hangout into something more of an…Adultversion."
"Adult, huh?" I wink and settle onto the blanket beside him, accepting the champagne flute he offers. "Well, it's perfect. Thank you."
He laughs nervously, the sound oddly strained. He's fidgetting beside me like something is playing on his mind, and just as I'm about to ask if everything is okay, he shakes his head and sighs.
"God, look at that view, babe. We're lucky to live here."
Iron Ridge spreads below us like something out of a postcard. The town lights are just starting to twinkle to life, and the arena glows green and silver in the distance. Smoke rises from chimneys, and I can just make out the tiny figures of people going about their evening routines.
"Remember when we used to plan our whole lives from this spot?" Ryder asks, his voice softer now.
"You mean when we were seventeen and acted like we had it all figured out?" I laugh, leaning against his side. "We were so naïve."
"Were we though?" He shifts to face me, his expression serious. "Because some of those teenage dreams are actually coming true now."
My heart does that fluttery thing as I meet his gaze. "Yeah? Which ones?"
"Well, you're running your own animal rescue. That was always the dream, even when everyone told you it was impossible in such a small town." His hand finds mine, fingers intertwining. "And I'm playing professional hockey. Not exactly how we planned it, but..."
"But?"
"But now I see that the important part wasn't the hockey. It was having someone to share it with. Someone who understands what it means." He stares off into the distance. "It was finding my way back here. To you."
The sincerity in his voice makes my throat tight with emotion. "Ryder..."
"Mia, listen. There's something I want to say before I throw up."
"Throw up?" I ask, confused.
"Yeah. Something I've been thinking about recently... the forever kind of next steps," he says quietly, his free hand moving to his pocket.
My pulse jolt in the side of my neck. "Um, okay. What kind of next steps?"
"The kind where I get to wake up next to you for the rest of my life. The kind where we build something permanent together, not just in that house, but..." He takes a shaky breath. "Mia, there's something I need to ask you."
His hand goes to his pocket, and suddenly I can't breathe.
This is it.This is actually happening.
All the fears I used to carry about forever, about trust, about whether love can really last… they're not there anymore. In their place is excitement and the absolute certainty that whatever he's about to ask of me, my answer is yes.
His fingers close around something in his pocket, and he's starting to pull it out when my phone erupts in shrill, panicked ringing.
We both freeze, staring at each other as the sound shatters our perfect moment like glass.
"Ignore it," Ryder says quickly, but the ringtone is the Shelter's emergency contact, and I can't ignore that.
"I'm sorry, I have to—" I fumble for the phone, my hands shaking. "Hello?"
"Mia! Oh thank God!" Zoe's voice is high and panicked. "You need to get to the shelterright now. There are these corporate people here demanding to meet with you. They say it's time-sensitive and they won't leave. I don't know what to do!"
"What corporate people? We don't have any appointments scheduled."
