Free Better for Us by Vanessa Miller

all no-comment on them.”
    A waiter arrived at the table with the dinner menus. After looking them over for a minute, Ryla ordered the grass-fed Texas beef tenderloin with crispy rock shrimp. Noel ordered the USDA prime bone-in cowboy rib eye with red-chili onion rings.
    When the waiter walked away, Ryla broached the subject again. “You can’t blame me for everything, Noel. I told you that bringing Jaylen on the campaign trail was a bad idea.”
    “You didn’t tell me that you would throw me under the bus when I needed you to take a stand,” Noel threw back at her.
    “What did you want me to do? Tell those reporters that my daughter was nothing more than a little liar, while she stood with such hope in her eyes?”
    Even though he didn’t want to admit it, Noel understood Ryla’s dilemma. He hadn’t wanted to hurt Jaylen, either. He had also chosen to walk away without setting the reporters straight. Noel held up a hand. “Whether you are responsible for not clearing up the matter, or whether I’m responsible for insisting that she be here with me in the first place, we can debate all night long. But right now I’m in a jam, and I need your help to get out of it.”
    “My help? What can I do?”
    Before Noel could answer, the waiter returned with their dinner. He sat the plates before them, and both Noel and Ryla moaned at the rich aromas that drifted upward. Noel grabbed Ryla’s hands and prayed over the food.
    When he was finished praying, Ryla smiled and said, “This is new.”
    “What, the praying?” Noel asked.
    “Yes. When we were in college, you’d start wolfing down your food the moment it hit the table,” she said with a slight giggle.
    “Hey, I was a growing boy. And I was always on the court. I needed to eat in order to keep my stamina up,” he protested.
    “Admit it, Noel, you were just greedy, with no home training.” She was still smiling as she needled him.
    Placing his fork on his plate, he said, “All right, maybe I didn’t have much home training then. But my brother taught me the value of prayer a few years back, so I like to pray over my food...if that’s okay with you.”
    “Perfect.” Ryla picked up her fork and knife and began cutting into her meal. After taking the first bite, she savored it a moment by closing her eyes, then said, “Delicious.”
    “I’m glad you like it,” Noel said after he realized that he had been holding his breath, staring at Ryla, waiting for her to acknowledge whether she liked the food. He really didn’t know why it mattered to him, except that he liked the restaurant and wanted to share the experience with her.
    They ate the rest of their meals in silence. But once Noel had wiped his mouth and put his napkin down for the last time, he turned back to Ryla and admitted, “My poll numbers are down. I could lose the election over this.”
    Ryla put her napkin on the plate. “I’m sorry to hear that. I know this election means a lot to you.”
    “Jaylen means much more. So, I don’t want you to think that I regret having her in my life.”
    Ryla nodded. “I know that, Noel. All anyone has to do is be around the two of you for a minute and they would notice the love you and Jaylen have for one another.” She lowered her head for a moment. When she faced him again, she said, “Sometimes I feel so guilty for how long I kept you and Jaylen apart. And...and, I’m truly sorry for that.” She let out a slow, bitter laugh. “I seem to be sorry for a lot of things lately.”
    He didn’t know what had put Ryla in this mood, but she was right where he wanted her to be. So, he went all-in. “You know, if you’re really, truly sorry, you can help me with my little situation.”
    “How can I help you, Noel?”
    He leaned in to get closer and put his hand over hers as he said, “Marry me.”

Chapter 10
    I f Noel hadn’t been holding her hand, Ryla would have fallen out of her seat. “What did you just say?”
    “I asked you to marry