She smelled good, like a fresh shower, and maybe perfume, and he was trying very hard not to let it go to his head.

“What? Where do you think I’m going?”

Oh. “I don’t know—”

“What does a girl have to do? It’s time.”

His eyes widened and he swallowed.

She laughed. “Not that.” She sighed, shook her head, stepped away from him.

He stared at her, the way the simple black dress fit all her curves, that dark, golden hair filled with moonlight and—was she wearing makeup? It only made her eyes larger, her lips—

He blew out a breath, his heart thudding, very aware, suddenly, that they were alone here. Alone, and longing rose inside him and—

It’s time.

Oh.

“Yes, it’s time,” he said softly.

She drew in a breath and he took her hand, got down on one knee.

“Wow. Last time you didn’t—”

“Stop talking. I got this.” He ran his thumb over her hand, his throat suddenly thickened. Ah, he might even cry. “E,” he said quietly, “you are so much a part of my world that I don’t know if my dreams are yours or mine. You’ve been in my heart since before I knew what love was, and every single day I spent apart from you was agony. I love you with every breath, every heartbeat, and I don’t want to spend another moment without you. Please, please, marry me. I promise to take care of you, to support you, and most of all, to never leave you again.”

She stared at him, and in that eternal moment he tasted his heartbeat, the tomorrows he longed for. Please.

“Yes.” She cupped his face with her hands. “Yes, I will marry you.”

“Finally.”

They turned and he spotted her father standing in the great room. Her mother stood beside Charlie, holding his hand, tears streaking down her cheeks. They must have followed him here from the dance.

Charlie gave him a thumbs-up. “Good job, son,” he mouthed.

Dodge laughed, got up, then caught Echo up in his arms and swung her around.

She laughed, the sound of it like sunlight, sweeping away the last vestiges of darkness.

Good job, indeed.

He put her down, wound a hand around her neck to kiss her again when a bark sounded in the night.

Echo pressed her hands against his chest. “Wait—I think that’s Viper!” She stepped off the porch and called for him.

The barking grew louder.

She whistled, and after a minute, an animal launched at her out of the darkness. He nearly took Echo down, but Dodge bent next to her and helped catch the dog. His fur was matted and grimy, his harness gone, but he lathered Echo with kisses.

“Viper!”

“Where did he come from?” Charlie said as he came out and also crouched to pet the dog. Viper went to him, his entire body wiggling with joy.