Page 178 of Neap & Spring

We sit there for a long time, wrapped around each other, watching the twilight deepen into full dark. The candles flicker in the gentle ocean breeze, casting moving shadows across the sand. The waves whisper against the shore in that eternal rhythm. And on my finger, the ring catches the light with every small movement.

Above us, stars are slowly appearing one by one. The same stars that were there that night five years ago when everything fell apart and came back together. The same stars that were there in Paris when we kissed for the first time. The same stars that will be there for every day that comes after this.

“We should probably get back,” Callum says eventually, though he makes no move to stand. “Roman’s probably losing his mind.”

“Roman’s fine.” I settle more comfortably against him. “He’s been running that kitchen single-handedly for the past year when we’re both in meetings or dealing with suppliers or —”

“Or making out in the walk-in?”

“That was one time.”

“It was a few times.”

“Okay, maybe three times. But my point stands. Roman can handle it.” I hold up my left hand, watching the ring catch the candlelight. “Did you see the Michelin inspector?”

“He’s been back twice this month already.” Callum’s hand finds mine, his thumb brushing over the ring. “Third time’s the charm, maybe.”

“Maybe.” I turn in his arms to look at him properly. “Do you care? Really?”

He’s quiet for a moment, considering. “Honestly? Not as much as I thought I would.” His arms tighten around me. “Don’t get me wrong — a star would be incredible. It would be validation for everything we’ve built. But this?” He gestures around us — at the beach, at the restaurant visible in the distance, at me. “This is already everything. The restaurant’s doing well. We’re booked solid for months. The food is the best it’s ever been. And I get to cook with the woman I love every single day.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “A Michelin star would just be icing. This is the actual cake.”

My heart swells so much it actually hurts. “Yeah. It is.”

We watch the last of the light fade completely from the sky, the stars becoming brighter as full darkness settles in. The ocean is barely visible now, but I can feel it.

“Hey,” I say softly. “Remember graduation night?”

“Every single detail.” His voice is quiet. “Your dress. The way you looked when they called your name for the Chef’s Award. The bar where we went after. My apartment.”

“My favorite part,” I say softly.

His hand is moving in slow circles on my back. “The way you looked at me when I told you you were it for me.”

“I couldn’t believe it.” I turn to face him again. “You were this beautiful, talented, ridiculous man who made me laugh during the worst days of culinary school. And who competed with me and pushed me and made me better. And you wanted me. Me! I couldn’t believe it.”

“I told you I’d wait however long it took,” he says.

“You did.” I cup his face in my hands, making sure he’s looking at me. “I’m so glad we found our way back to each other.” My voice is shaking, but I don’t care. “I love you, Callum Reid. I love waking up next to you every morning. I love the way you make me laugh when I’m taking myself too seriously. I love the way you believed I could cook again before I believed it myself. I love every single ordinary, extraordinary day we’ve built together.” I lean my forehead against his. “I loved you in Paris and I love you now, and I will love you every single day for the rest of my life. And the next.”

I kiss him again, full of everything I can’t quite find words for.

When we pull apart, he rests his forehead against mine. “We should really get back. Everyone’s waiting.”

“Everyone?” I pull back to look at him. “What do you mean everyone?”

His smile turns slightly sheepish. “I might have mentioned to a few people that I was planning to propose tonight.”

“A few people?”

“Okay, everyone. I told everyone. I’m not good at keeping secrets from my family, and Roman figured it out when he caught me staring at a picture of the ring on my phone during prep, and then Frannie overheard us talking about it and told Cora, and —”

“The entire restaurant knows,” I finish.

“The entire restaurant knows. Also Dad. And my brothers. And Margo. And Iris. And probably half the town because you know how Westerly Point is about gossip. Also your parents.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I’m in love.” He stands, offering me his hand. “And I’m really bad at playing it cool about it.”