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Noah glanced toward it. “Were we expecting someone?”

“Nope.”

He opened the door. Mrs. Evelyn stood in the hallway wearing a robe and slippers, Harold several steps behind her.

“Is everything all right?” she demanded. “I heard the smoke alarm.”

“Dinner incident,” Noah said.

Mrs. Evelyn narrowed her eyes. “What kind of dinner incident?”

Claire stepped into view. Mrs. Evelyn’s attention immediately dropped to the ring on her hand. Her mouth fell open. “No.”

Claire held up her hand, unable to stop smiling. “Yes.”

Mrs. Evelyn looked at Noah. Then at Claire. Then slowly turned toward Harold.

Harold smiled.

“You couldn’t have done this six weeks ago?” Mrs. Evelyn demanded.

Harold reached into the pocket of his cardigan and pulled out a folded travel brochure. “I hear Hawaii is lovely in the spring.”

Claire couldn’t contain her laugh. Of course Harold had been carrying around a travel brochure, waiting for the perfect opportunity to remind his wife that she had lost the bet.

“Nobody likes a smug winner, Harold.”

“A win is a win,” he reminded her.

Noah laughed. “You’ve been waiting to say that, haven’t you?”

“Since Valentine’s Day.”

Mrs. Evelyn took Claire’s hand and inspected the ring. “It’s beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

“I knew you two would get married,” she stated matter-of-factly.

“Eventually,” Harold added.

Mrs. Evelyn ignored him and hugged Claire before turning to Noah. “You take care of her.”

Noah looked at Claire. “I plan to.”

Claire squeezed his hand. “I’ll take care of him too.”

Mrs. Evelyn nodded approvingly. “Good answer.” Then she narrowed her eyes at Noah. “Did you wait until after Valentine’s Day to propose on purpose so I would lose?”

He chuckled. “No, Mrs. Evelyn.”

She studied him for another second. “Good answer.”

Harold took Mrs. Evelyn gently by the shoulders and steered her back toward their apartment.

“Come on, Evelyn. We have a trip to plan.”

“But I lost.”