Page 53 of Because of Them

I’m late for my meeting with Noah, but it took longer to get away from the block, from my father, than I had intended. After the news he was going to be a grandad finally sunk in he wasalmostexcited. Tentative, sure, but he didn’t seem to hate the idea.

Birds chirp in the flowering gum trees that line the path from the carpark to the cellar door—and Noah’s office. Children’s laughter rises with the breeze—far gentler here in the hills than it was at the block—along with cheerful chatter and the clinking of plates and glasses. For once, I don’t blame other people for having a good time. It’s the perfect early summer day, one of the few weekends left before Christmas. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy a delicious lunch paired with a succulent wine at what is fast becoming one of the most popular wineries this side of Melbourne? The crew has begun to prep the site for the hotel build, but even with the cordoned off jobsite there’s still plenty of open space to enjoy the sun.

It’s beautiful and it’s peaceful and it’s the place I finally realised my potential.

And, hopefully, it’s the place where Audrey will agree to become my wife.

Emphasis on the hopefully.

I’m hyper aware of the chance she might say no, but I need to show her how serious I am about her. About us.

I’d considered telling my dad, but I was running on thin ice after the whole ‘you’re going to be a grandad’ bombshell and I wasn’t willing to risk falling through. Plus, he’d had enoughshock for one day and he had one foot towards the car, ready to escape the wind and get back inside.

The barn style door to Noah’s office is open slightly and when I approach, the distinct tapping at a keyboard gives away his presence. I poke my head through the gap instead of knocking.

“Sorry I’m late.”

Noah looks up from the computer screen and whips his glasses off his face. I pretend I didn’t notice, as per our informal agreement. He leans forward, clasping his hands together on the desk in front of him.

“I needed the time to get some dispatch orders in, anyway. You want to sit?”

I take the invitation and plant myself in one of the armchairs.

“I’m not actually here because of the build. Unless you have any questions, then I can look into whatever. But I needed to ask you a favour.”

Noah’s face is stoic as he flips his palms over on the desk.

“Can you help me set something up? Here at the winery? Some nice spot on the grass or down the path where you can’t see the building site? Something cutesy.”

He clears his throat, and I swallow down the lump forming in mine. I wasn’t expecting to feel itchy all over just trying to tell someone about my plan. I hate to think what I’ll be like when I finally bring it to fruition.

“Go on …”

“I want to show Audrey that I’m not just here for the babies. That I want to be here for her. That I’m committed to her.”

Noah’s eyebrows dip, his mouth forming a tight, thin line.

“I want to propose.”

He coughs. Clears his throat again. Opens his mouth to speak before closing it and leaning back in the chair. Crossing his arms he tips the chair back and forth.

“I love her,” I add, in case it wasn’t clear.

“I know you do. Does she know?”

“I told her.”

“Did she tell you how she feels?”

I bounce in my chair a little, remembering how perfect the moment was. “She said she loves me too.”

“And so … just like that you want to propose?”

I nod my head, a little too vigorously. Leaning forward to rest his arms back on the desk, Noah’s face softens.

“Trust me when I say that it’s best for you to wait. I … it’s not fun if things don’t go the way you planned.”

I squeeze my fists against the armrests. “You don’t think she’ll say yes?”

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