Amy’s heart was like a jackhammer in her chest. This was more than dinner, no matter what he said. This was effort. He’d never cooked for her before. Not that she minded. If she had a friend like Paige who was perfectly content to feed her friends, Amy would probably take advantage of it, too. And then Saturdays...well, that was her mom’s favorite thing. He’d taken her out other places. And she still needed to get him to go to the driving range again. That had been a lot of fun.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. So, she was overreacting. This was just Zach trying to make things fun, switch it up a little. And what could be better after a long week and the final holiday performance?

“I thought tonight went really well.”

Zach grinned and expertly flipped the steaks off the tiny grill he’d put on the countertop onto a plate. “Absolutely. There were a few little things that I doubt anyone noticed, but that’s always the case.”

“You mean like when the third boy playing dreidel spun his so hard that it flew into the audience and conked someone in the front row on the head?” Poor kid had stopped mid-verse and stared into the dark auditorium. He’d finally managed to stammer his way back to the chorus, where the other boys joined in a tad too loudly. These things happened. And the guy in the front row had had a good sense of humor about the whole thing. Though it might not be a bad idea for the future to have the warning signs like they had at dolphin and whale shows.

“Just like that. Or when Taneesha stepped on the ear of corn for Kwanzaa and nearly fell over into the candles.”

Amy hid a grin as he came to the table with the food. “I was trying to forget about that. This looks...amazing. Thank you.”

“My pleasure. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather share the first meal in my new apartment with.” He waited while she stabbed one of the steaks and transferred it to her plate. He set the other plate at his place and arranged the side dishes in the center of the table. It made the table full, but there wasn’t really anywhere else to put them.

Amy scooped creamed spinach onto her plate and took a steaming roll from another bowl. “Did you make all of this?”

“Busted. No, Paige did the sides. The steaks, however, are all me.” He smiled as he added to his plate.

But to get Paige to help...that involved some planning. Her fingers warmed as he took her hand and said a blessing for the food, her upcoming job transition, his move, and their time together. How could something as simple as a prayer made her feel...cherished? That was the word that popped into her head. The warmth from her fingers spread, even though he broke the contact.

“Oh. The candle. Hang on.” Zach jumped up, tipping his chair and sending it to the floor with a clatter of wood on wood. He winced, righted the chair, and strode to the kitchen, returning with a long-handled lighter. “There. Better.”

“The best. This is so nice. Thanks, Zach.”

He chuckled. “You said that already.”

Amy ducked her head. Now she was babbling. She chided herself and focused on her plate.

The food was delicious. They ate, punctuating the meal with conversation about school, the holiday program, and the kinds of churches they could visit within easy distance of the apartment.

When their plates were empty, Zach rose and collected them, shuttling them into the kitchen. He came back with two smaller plates, each bearing a slice of some sort of cake.

“Is that cheesecake?” Her eyes widened as he set it in front of her.

“A little birdie told me it was your favorite.”

Had to be her mom. He was talking to her mom. Without her present. She took another deep breath, hoping to calm her galloping heart. It didn’t have to mean anything. He was just being polite. Conscientious, even.

“Amy?”

She met his eyes, the fork half-way to her mouth. Something about his expression made her lower the fork to her plate and wipe suddenly sweaty palms on the napkin in her lap. “Yes?”

“I’ve been debating with myself for the last two hours about this. And maybe it’s not the right time, but I don’t want to wait any longer. Though if you can’t answer me now, I will, but I’m hoping...I’m making a mess of this.” He cleared his throat and took a sip from his water glass. “I love you.”

Amy nodded, her throat suddenly dry. “I love you back.”

His lips quirked up. “I can’t imagine spending my life with anyone but you. I don’t have a ring. I thought you’d probably want to be part of that and I was worried I’d choose the wrong thing and then you’d be stuck pretending you liked it. I’m doing it again.”

Zach let out a breath that was half-chuckle, half-sigh. “Will you marry me? Say you will. It doesn’t have to be tomorrow—though your dad seemed to think this summer would be good. But what he thinks doesn’t matter. Say yes. Please?”

Fighting the urge to laugh, as happy tears welled in her eyes, Amy scooted back and stood. She rounded the table and slipped onto Zach’s lap. “Yes, please.”

He chuckled and covered her mouth with his. Amy wound her arms around his neck. After a moment, she eased back. “Summer can’t get here soon enough.”