Page 53 of Tides and Tidings

She shook her head, “No need. It’s right there.” Blythe pointed to the door a few feet away. She kissed my lips, “I’ll be right back.”

I stepped off to the side and watched as Blythe went into the bathroom. Absentmindedly, I grabbed a straw from the holder on the table and fiddled with the wrapper. I hadn’t realized until I saw Blythe walking towards me that I was holding a straw wrapper ring. Blythe smiled wide at some girl she was hugging. I hope she’s not at the level of being drunk, where she’s hugging random people.

They chatted briefly before Blythe strode back over.

She drunkenly leaned on me, “You wouldn’t believe it. I used to work with her!” Her words were slightly slurred.

They don’t lie when they say it’s a small world.

“Is she visiting?”

She shook her head, “No! That’s the best part. She moved here about a month ago. We’re going to grab coffee next week.”

“That’s awesome.”

Blythe wrapped her arms around my neck, “I love our life.”

I rested my hands on her hips, “I’m having a good time, too.”

“So am I, but that’s not what I’m talking about.” She paused. “It’s pretty cool that we’re here right now and looking forward to returning to our normal life. Some of those people out there are dreading leaving tomorrow.”

It would’ve been more romantic if she hadn’t screamed it in my ear, but I shared the same sentiment.

“I get that.”

Blythe grabbed my hand and threaded her hand through it. She pulled the straw wrapper off my finger and held it up, “What’s this?”

My heart raced. “A straw wrapper.”

“It’s cute. It looks like a ring!” She pretended to hold it up to the light to inspect it. “Probably a three-carat if you ask me.”

“It’s for you.”

Blythe

My heart sped up. For me?

Charlie

I inhaled sharply and leaned in so she could hear me the first time, “Can I ask you a question?”

Oh fuck.

Blythe

A million different options have run through my head.

“Will you marry me?”

Oh. I wasn’t expecting that question.

My heart was pounding out of my chest. At that moment, I didn’t know what else was happening around me. All I saw was Charlie holding a ring he made out of a straw wrapper.

“I absolutely will!” I answered back in an instant. I didn’t even have to think about the answer.

A shock wave washed over Charlie’s face, “Wait, really?”

“Oh hell yeah,” I grabbed his face and placed a long kiss on his lips.