Page 58 of Shifters in the Night

“Hmm, I forgot about that,” Zed said, chewing his lip. “It’s possible we went overboard.”

“That’s not at all like you,” Will said, shaking his head. Zed swiped his giant hand at him, only to have Will deftly duck out of the way.

“But I have the label maker!” Sonja complained.

“I just have my upper body strength,” Eva told her. “And my stuff.”

“You’re going to be so happy here,” Lia told Eva. “And it’s really nice that everybody showed up to help.”

“Jillian and Dani are at my house, finishing dinner,” Jon said. “We didn’t want Dani carrying heavy stuff. Also, we didn’t want Jillian fighting Sonja for the label maker.”

“The years of friendship are forgotten when they clash over organizational tools,” Will said as Sonja jabbed him gently in the ribs. Will doubled over in exaggerated pain. “Ow!”

“Women after my own heart,” Lia giggled as a small velvet box tumbled out of Will’s shirt pocket. It hit the wooden porch slats and popped open, revealing a simply beautiful engagement ring. Lia knew her shiny things, and this was a heck of a shiny thing. Sonja’s head tilted as her brain processed the box at her feet.

Sonja’s mouth dropped open. “Is that what I think it is?”

“Oh, no, I don’t think I have a close enough friendship with the group for me to be here for this,” Eva said, glancing around with an uncomfortable expression. Lia laughed and put her arm around Eva’s shoulders.

Will groaned and then dropped to his knees, picking up the ring. “This isn’t the way I wanted to do this.”

“Then why are you carrying a ring around in your pocket?” Sonja asked, a nervous laugh bubbling up from her chest.

Will shook his head as he held the box up so she could get a closer look. “It’s a long story.”

“Is this happening now?” Zed whispered. “But what about the violins?”

“And the sparklers?” Bael asked.

“Never mind the sparklers,” Jon said, grinning. “This is Sonja at her happiest – organizing things and helping people. This is the perfect proposal for her.”

Lia beamed at Jon and kissed him soundly. “You get it.”

“Still have to find a way to outdo him with the proposal,” Jon said, shaking his head.

“But I have two crates of sparklers in my garage,” Bael whispered. “Baby-proofed.”

Lia shushed him as Will said, “Sonja, you are the love of my life, my chosen mate, the only person in the world I would trust with my magic, because you’re pure magic yourself. Please make me the happiest man alive and marry me?”

Sonja’s bottom lip wobbled more than a little bit as she nodded. Her voice was barely audible as she whispered, “Yes.”

Zed grinned. “One more time for the crowd?”

“Yes!” Sonja yelled. Will sprang to his feet and kissed Sonja long and hard. Tears spilled down Sonja’ cheeks and Lia had to swallow heavily around the lump in her throat.

“Are you crying?” Jon asked Bael, who had the presence of mind to record the proceedings on his phone.

“No, I’m grateful I thought to make a video, or Jillian would have murdered me.” Bael cleared his throat and blinked in a suspicious fashion.

Much hugging and surreptitious tear-wiping followed while Will slipped the ring on Sonja’s finger. It looked like it was meant to be there. Sonja took a beat and suddenly crowed, “OK, let’s get moving!”

“But we just got engaged,” Will protested.

“Which means I’m euphoric and fully energized!” Sonja said, wriggling her eyebrows. “So I’m going to get so much done!’

Sonja ran into the house, seeking out the moving boxes. Will stared after her, his mouth agape.

“You knew this when you fell in love with her,” Jon reminded him.

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