Daniel beneath fluorescent lights.
Noah at a desk.
Ordinary.
She stood unnoticed for a moment.
Daniel looked up.
“You okay?”
Claire smiled.
“Yes.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You have a face.”
“What face?”
“The one where your brain is writing a board memo.”
She walked over.
Grease streak across his forearm.
“Marry me.”
Daniel dropped the wrench.
Noah’s head snapped up from the office.
“What?”
Claire herself froze.
That was not how she intended to say it.
Daniel stared.
“Did you just—”
“Yes.”
Noah appeared in the doorway.
“This is incredible.”
Claire looked toward him.
“Go away.”
“Absolutely not.”
Daniel laughed.
Claire felt her entire face burning.
“I had a plan.”
Daniel picked up the wrench.
“I can tell.”
“No, I actually did.”
“Was the plan to propose beside a 1994 Ford with the transmission removed?”
“No.”
“Shame. Strong setting.”
Noah took out his phone.
Claire pointed.
“Do not record.”
He reluctantly lowered it.
Daniel wiped his hands on a rag.
Then looked at Claire.
“Are you serious?”
Her embarrassment disappeared.
“Yes.”
“Why now?”
She looked around.
Garage.
Old truck.
Noah.
Daniel.
Life.
“Because I keep waiting for the dramatic moment.”
“And?”
“This is the moment.”
Daniel smiled.
He stepped closer.
“I already bought a ring.”
Claire stared.
Noah screamed.
“You ruined it!”
Daniel looked toward him.
“I didn't ruin anything.”
“You had a plan!”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Next weekend.”
Noah put both hands over his head.
“I kept that secret for three months.”
Claire looked between them.
“You both knew?”
Daniel laughed.
“Noah helped.”
“Terrifying.”
He reached into a locked drawer.
Removed a small box.
Claire laughed and cried simultaneously.
“No kneeling.”
Daniel stopped.
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“We have enough dead-father romance traditions. We’re doing this our way.”
He remained standing.
Opened the box.
Simple diamond.
Elegant.
Claire loved it immediately.
Daniel said:
“Claire Bennett, you are difficult.”
Noah whispered:
“Great opening.”
Claire laughed.
Daniel continued.