The cabin felt quieter than usual that evening, like the air was holding its breath, waiting for tomorrow. Melina could feel it—the shift, the unspoken something hanging between them. She was certain now. He's going to propose tomorrow.

Tucker had been fidgety all day, like he was trying to act normal but failing miserably. He'd check his phone, then put it down immediately. He'd glance at her like he wanted to say something, then shake his head. And he kept touching her—soft brushes of his fingers against her back, lingering kisses on her forehead, his arms wrapping around her waist for no reason at all.

Not that she was complaining.

Now, they were curled up on the couch, a candle flickering on the coffee table, casting soft golden light across the room. The TV played some random movie neither of them was paying attention to. Melina was tucked against Tucker's side, legs draped over his lap, his fingers tracing absentminded patterns along her knee.

"You're being weird," she murmured, tilting her head to look up at him.

Tucker huffed a laugh, running a hand through his hair. "I'm always weird."

"Yeah, but it's different today." She narrowed her eyes playfully. "What's going on in that head of yours, Pillsbury?"

His jaw clenched for half a second, but then he shook his head. "Nothing."

Melina just looked at him.

He sighed, shifting so he was facing her more. "Okay, fine. Maybe I'm just..." He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thinking a lot about tomorrow."

She bit her lip, her heart doing a little flip. Me too.

Instead of pushing, she leaned in, resting a hand on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "You know, no matter what, tomorrow is gonna be perfect."

His expression softened. "Yeah?"

"Mhm." She tilted her chin up, kissing his jaw. "Because it's your day."

Tucker exhaled a small laugh, but his arms tightened around her, pulling her closer. "You make every day feel like my day."

Melina rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "God, you're such a sap."

"Yeah, yeah." He grinned, then leaned in, kissing her slow and deep. She melted into it, letting her fingers tangle in his hair.

After a moment, he pulled back just enough to whisper, "I love you."

She brushed her nose against his. "I love you more."

Tucker shook his head. "Not possible."

She giggled, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Just wait 'til tomorrow."

His lips curled at the edges, like he was holding in a secret. "Can't wait."

Neither could she.



---



A while later, Melina stretched her arms over her head and sighed contentedly. The movie on the screen had long since ended, the credits rolling lazily in the background. Tucker still had his arms wrapped around her, his thumb brushing slow circles against her hip.

"You tired?" he asked softly.

She hummed, but shook her head. "Not really."

He shifted slightly, adjusting so he could see her better. "Wanna go outside for a bit?"

Melina blinked. "It's kinda late."

"So?" Tucker grinned. "We're at a cabin in the middle of nowhere. No one's stopping us."

She laughed, shaking her head, but she didn't argue.

A few minutes later, they stepped outside, the cool night air brushing against their skin. The sky stretched above them, an endless canvas of stars, untouched by city lights. Tucker took her hand, pulling her toward the hammock that hung between two trees in the yard.

As soon as they sat down, he pulled her close, her head resting against his chest. They rocked gently, listening to the quiet sounds of the night—the wind rustling through the trees, the distant chirp of crickets.

Melina exhaled deeply, sinking into the moment. "This feels kinda perfect."

Tucker pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "It does."

For a long time, they didn't say anything. They didn't need to.

Eventually, she tilted her head up, looking at him through the soft moonlight. "Hey, do you remember the first time we did this?"

Tucker smiled, as if the memory had already been on his mind. "Yeah. It was one of the first nights we spent together."

"You were so nervous," she teased.

"You were nervous," he shot back.

She grinned. "Maybe."

Tucker brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. "We've come a long way, huh?"

Melina's heart swelled. "Yeah. And I wouldn't change a thing."

He didn't say anything—just kissed her, slow and deep, like he was trying to hold onto this moment forever.

Tomorrow would come soon enough. But tonight, it was just them.