There was something different about today.
Not dramatic. Not loud. Just different-like the universe was holding its breath, waiting for something to fall into place.
It started with a message from Jake.
"Be ready by 6. Wear something warm. And don't ask questions."
Hriva had smiled when she read it, her heart fluttering like it always did when his name popped up on her screen. She didn't reply-just sent a heart emoji and stood in front of her closet like she was getting ready for something more than a date.
Maybe she was.
At exactly 6 PM, Jake pulled up in his truck. He got out, opened the door for her with a little bow, and said in a terribly fake British accent, "M'lady, your carriage awaits."
She rolled her eyes, laughing. "You're ridiculous."
"And you're beautiful," he said, dropping the act.
She blinked, caught off guard. His voice had dipped low, soft. Honest.
"Where are we going?" she asked, cheeks warm.
"You'll see," he said, grinning as he helped her in.
They drove with the windows cracked just enough to let in the cool evening breeze. The sky was painted in dusky pinks and oranges, a few stubborn clouds clinging to the horizon. Music played low-one of Jake's acoustic playlists, full of mellow guitar and lyrics that felt like open hearts.
"I know that look," Hriva said, turning to him mid-drive. "You're up to something."
Jake just smirked. "You'll like it."
And she did.
He took her to a hill just outside the city, one that overlooked the skyline in the distance. It was quiet, open, the grass just starting to turn golden beneath the fading sun. In the middle of the field, there was a blanket spread out, a little picnic basket, and a single flickering lantern.
"You did all this?" she whispered, stunned.
Jake scratched the back of his neck, suddenly shy. "I mean… yeah. I wanted tonight to be special."
She looked at him then-really looked at him. The way his eyes waited for her reaction. The way his fingers twitched nervously at his side. Like he was hoping for something and terrified all at once.
"You're kind of amazing, you know that?" she said.
His shoulders relaxed. "Only kind of?"
She stepped closer and kissed his cheek. "Completely."
They sat under the stars, eating sandwiches and drinking wine out of plastic cups. They joked about their first meeting at the party. Hriva teased him for his horrified scream during that horror movie. Jake laughed until his stomach hurt when she reenacted her battle with pancake mix.
But somewhere between the laughter and the lingering glances, the night softened.
Turned real.
Jake reached into the picnic basket and pulled out something small-a bracelet.
Simple. Handmade. A tiny guitar charm threaded between dark wooden beads.
"I saw it in this little shop and it just… reminded me of you," he said. "Music. Warmth. Chaos in the best way."
Hriva stared at it, touched beyond words.
"You're giving me jewelry now?" she teased, her voice trembling just slightly.
Jake's smile was nervous. "Maybe I'm buttering you up before I ask something."
Her eyes flicked up to meet his.
"What is it?"
He took a breath. "I don't want this to be just something. I don't want to keep pretending like we don't already know how rare this is. I know it's fast. I know it's intense. But I also know I've never felt anything like this before."
Hriva didn't say anything.
She just watched him-heart wide open, eyes soft.
"I want you to be mine," Jake said, voice gentle. "Officially. Not just the girl I kiss at 2 AM or laugh with during pancake disasters. I want to call you my girlfriend. I want this to mean something with a name."
For a second, all she did was breathe.
Then she smiled.
And everything inside Jake lit up.
"I thought you'd never ask," she whispered, reaching for his hand.
"So… that's a yes?" he said, like he didn't want to believe it just yet.
"It's a yes, Jake."
And then she kissed him.
Not like before.
Not playful. Not curious.
But like she had been waiting for this moment. Like her heart had finally found the place it had been searching for all along.
The stars stretched above them like blessings. The city twinkled in the distance. And beneath it all, two people sat on a blanket in the grass, hearts beating in sync.
Together.
Officially.
Finally.