Page 65 of Unfinished Noise

“Congratulations,” the clerk said as Spencer paid. “Big moment.”

“Yeah,” Spencer murmured. “It is.”

Nathan didn’t take long to find his own rings. While Spencer was still holding the platinum bands he’d chosen for Jamie, Nathan pointed at a nearly identical pair—same brushed finish, but a little wider.

“These,” Nathan said. “Alfie likes sturdy stuff.”

Spencer smirked. “Figures.”

The clerk boxed both sets, congratulating them as if they were already halfway down the aisle. Spencer didn’t mind. His nerves had settled into something warm and steady, and the weight of the ring box represented a promise he was finally ready to make.

Nathan clapped him on the shoulder as they stepped back outside. “Guess we’re both doing this.”

Spencer pocketed the ring box, feeling its shape against his palm like a secret he wasn’t ready to let go of. “Guess so.”

But inside, he wasn’t thinking about Nathan or Alfie or timing or opinions. He was thinking about Jamie. About tonight. About the way Jamie’s eyes would look when Spencer asked him to spend the rest of their lives together. Everything was exactly where it needed to be.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Spencer

They stepped back out into the sunlight, the heat hitting them immediately. Nathan nodded toward a café across the street. “Lunch?”

Spencer hadn’t realized he was hungry until that moment. “Yeah. Sure.”

They grabbed a table outside, shaded by a big blue umbrella. The place smelled like grilled chicken and fresh bread, and Spencer’s stomach growled loud enough for Nathan to hear.

“Romantic,” Nathan said, grinning.

“Shut up.”

They ordered sandwiches and iced tea, and once the server walked away, Nathan leaned back in his chair, tapping the ring box in his pocket as if he couldn’t believe it was real.

“So,” Nathan said, “when are you actually doing it?”

Spencer didn’t hesitate. “Christmas.”

Nathan blinked. “Christmas? I was thinking Christmas Eve.”

Spencer raised an eyebrow. “Why Christmas Eve?”

“Because it’s… I don’t know. Cozy. And Alfie loves that whole ‘night before’ magic.”

Spencer took a slow sip of his tea, letting the warmth settle in his chest. Christmas Eve was nice. Sweet. But Christmas morning—Jamie half‑asleep, hair a mess, wearing whatever soft hoodie he grabbed first—that image hit Spencer hard. He could see it so clearly: Jamie blinking at him, confused, then realizing what Spencer was asking. That was the moment Spencer wanted. That was the memory he wanted to carry for the rest of his life.

“Christmas,” Spencer said again, firmer this time. “Feels like the right day to marry him.”

Nathan’s eyebrows shot up. “Okay, well… I’ll take Christmas Eve. We’ll make it an entire event.”

Spencer smirked. “Double wedding weekend.”

“Double wedding weekend,” Nathan corrected. “Assuming they say yes.”

Spencer said nothing to that. He didn’t need to. The answer he wanted already lived in the way Jamie looked at him. Spencer didn’t even flinch. “Jamie will.”

Nathan’s expression softened. “Alfie will too.”

Their food arrived, and they ate for a minute in comfortable silence. Spencer kept catching himself touching the red velvet ring box, thumb brushing the edge through his pocket. He wasn’t nervous—just ready. More ready than he’d expected to be.