An Upcoming Surprise

We’re tangled in the ridiculous hotel bed now—the oversized mattress swallowing us whole, white sheets pooled around their our, heavy with exhaustion and adrenaline.

The suite’s still dark, the only glow coming from the city bleeding in through the balcony doors.

They’re both teetering on the edge of sleep, drifting, weightless, when her voice cuts through the quiet. Soft. Raw. Unfiltered.

“I turned my phone off after I sent the case files.”

I blink, still half-under, my hand tracing lazy, aimless patterns along the dip of her spine. “Yeah?”

She exhales, her breath warm against my chest. “The office was trying to reach me. Probably still are. I just… I didn’t care anymore.” She pulls back, just enough for her eyes to meet mine, glassy but steady. “I’m probably fired.”

She snuggles in closer, her leg sliding between mine, her fingers curling into the hem of my t-shirt like she’s anchoring herself.

“It was a disaster getting here,” she murmurs, her words slow, sleep-dragged. “Three connecting flights. Three, Joe. I landed a whole city over.” Her laugh is faint, muffled against my chest. “Last leg was in the weirdest-smelling Uber I’ve ever been in. Like… feet. And maybe despair.”

I laugh softly, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Sounds like you paid extra for the experience.”

She hums, her hand smoothing over my side. “I didn’t care. I just… needed to be here.” She lifts her head, her eyes shining with something heavier than exhaustion. “With you.”

I don’t say anything.

I just pull her closer.

Eventually, the city fades. The tension unwinds. And together, we finally sleep.

———————————————————————————

Morning.

The sun crawls in slow, low, golden, casting soft light across the suite.

Emily’s still out cold, limbs tangled in the sheets, hair a beautiful mess on the pillow. Her breathing’s steady, soft, the faintest little snore slipping out when she exhales.

I smile, quiet and helpless.

I slide out of bed without waking her, pulling on a t-shirt and shorts. I grab my phone, order room service—her favorite.

French crepes. Hazelnut drizzle. That ridiculous strawberry frosting she swears is “what heaven tastes like.” Powdered sugar. Fresh-cut strawberries. Orange juice in a frosted container. Coffee, strong and hot.

While they prep it, I head down two floors barefoot.

Iris answers her hotel room door before I even knock a second time. Of course she does.

She leans against the doorframe, already grinning like she’s been waiting for this.

“Guess Emily got you out of that funk you’ve been in this last week,” she teases, her voice light but knowing.

I don’t even answer. I just pull her into a hug.

She laughs against my shoulder, patting my back, that quiet, knowing energy humming off her.

“You…” I pull back, shaking my head. “You’re amazing.”

She shrugs, smirking, but there’s a softness there. She wanted Emily with me too. She closes the door behind her, stepping into the hall with me.

“We’ve been talking,” she admits. “Me and Emily. She asked me to keep an eye on you. Try to keep you… above ground.” She shrugs again. “I would’ve done it anyway.”

Her voice softens, weight creeping into the words.

“I owe you. Both of you.” Her eyes meet mine, steady and honest. “Since last year. Since… when I thought I was going to drown after my mom—”

I squeeze her hand, cutting her off gently. “Hey.” My voice lowers, steady and raw. “You never owed me a damn thing.”

She swallows hard, but the corners of her mouth lift.

There’s a quiet moment.

Then I clear my throat, lowering my voice. “I know the plan changed last minute… but… did you happen to—”

She already knows.

Before I can finish, she drops the small ring box from behind her back

“I wasn’t gonna let you leave that back in New York,” she says, proud, almost smug. “And I’ve already let Kathryn and Eric know… it’s back on.”

The box feels heavy in my palm.

The timing finally lining up.

I let out a slow breath, smiling for real for the first time in days. “I think we need to talk about a raise of some kind.”

Iris smirks, stepping back toward her room. “We’ll negotiate after you propose.”

I nod, the nerves building, the adrenaline simmering low in my gut.

Today.

Today at the panel… I’m gonna ask Emily to marry me.