Page 137 of The Best Friend Power Play

I coordinated the timing of the flight and the drive to our private accommodation so that we arrive at a good time, allowing Hannah to experience some of what I hope we get to see a lot of this weekend as soon as she steps out of the van.

Then again, nature can be an unpredictable beast…as Fraser and Evie have found out. No amount of money can guarantee good weather or clear conditions.

We reach our destination.

Hannah closes the book and lets out a contented sigh.

"Is it good?" I check.

She grins. "So good. Her books keep getting better and better. I don't know how she does it."

"I'm glad you like it." I reach over and intertwine my fingers with hers. "Now, I don't know what the weather or conditions are like outside, but I know it will be cold." I hand her a coat, scarf, gloves, and beanie.

I put all my gear on, too, nerves building in my belly, hoping, praying, we'll be blessed with a beautiful sight.

"I'll go first, then I'll call you out, okay?"

She adjusts the beanie on her head. "Okay."

I climb out of the van, grabbing my phone so I can record her reaction when she comes out, and whoaaaaa…

It's…breathtaking. I can't believe it. A hundred times better than I dared hope for.

I get the phone ready to record, and yell out, "You can come out now."

Hannah pulls herself out of the van and lets out a startled cry. "Ohhhhh myyyyy gooooodnessss!"

She starts crying, so I stop recording and race over to her.

"What is it? Are you okay?"

She can't speak, spinning around in a slow circle, trying to take it all in, but it's not easy to take in the majesty of the Northern Lights, especially when they're on full display like this.

The vast, open sky is glowing with undulating waves of green and hints of purple and pink, stretching across the celestial dome.

"This is…magical."

Relieved they're happy tears, I hug her from behind, and we take in the beauty together.

After a few minutes, she spins around so we're standing face-to-face. She brings a gloved hand to my cheek. "I will never forget this for as long as I live."

"Oh yeah? You sure about that?"

"I am." She lifts a brow. "Why?"

I drop to my knee. "Well, you see, there's a question I've been dying to ask you. Properly."

The tears that had stopped start flowing once more, in full force this time.

"Wait, wait," she says, waving her hands in front of her eyes. "I don't want to be a blubbering mess for this."

"You can be a blubbering mess," I say, staring up at her. "I'll love you anyway."

She fans her face faster. "Stop saying romantic things. It's not helping."

I give her a moment to compose herself, and when she's ready, I fish out a small box from the inside of my jacket.

"Hannah, being with you has made me happier than I ever thought was possible. You're my best friend. My confidant. My partner. And now, I'm asking…will you do me the biggest honor of my life and be my wife? For real."

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