"You guys want to order?" A waiter stands at our table. Nicole's hand pulls away and she grabs the menus.
"Oh, okay, sure. A single sub, no mayo, to go please."
"Wynonna's, im guessing." They share a laugh and I'm still trying to stop the tears. Nicole's hand goes under the table and she holds mine, stroking her thumb against my hand in time with the beat of the music. Her eyes go wide and she looks concerned.
"You sure you're okay?" She whispers, that's when the waiter sees me crying and pulls the same concerned look.
"I'm fine." I laugh nervously and wipe away the tears on my sleeve.
"And two specials." She hands the waiter both menus with her free hand and it's just us again.
"Hey," her voice is still quiet. "I love you. And if you aren't ready, that's okay. I will wait until it's time and that could be eternity- I will wait."
She brushes my hair behind my ear and strokes my cheek. The ring is so- us. It's simple and beautiful and has that charm where I would still love to show it off, but it's unnoticeable without me saying. She's usually nervous about kissing me in uniform, in public, but she presses her lips on mine gently. And then it's just us in the whole wide world and nothing matters. She pushes the lid closed and tucks it away in her coat pocket.
On the ride back we talk about the pros and cons of everything and sing along to the car radio. Nicole's phone pings and she asks me to read it.
"Wynonna: yo, Haught stuff, you ready? Oh god! 'Haught stuff'?"
"...yeah." We both laugh and I text back that's it's all good.
"Are you.. ready?"
"Waves, it's a big step, are you?"
There's silence, but she knows the answer. I play scenarios in my head of what could be: our own home, everything in between.
"I'm excited."
"You are?" I say.
"Yeah!"
"...me too."