My knees gave out, and I sank to the floor with him. He lowered the microphone and held the engagement ring in his hand. “I can’t live without you,” he said quietly. “You’re the beat of my heart, my entire world.”
My gaze landed on the beautiful diamond ring, then shot up to his face. There was so much love in his eyes for me. He owned every part of me. He had touched my soul and given light to some of the darkest places inside me. There was no one else I wanted to be with.
“Yes.” I nodded then laughed. “Yes.”
He slipped the ring on my finger then stood, pulling me up with him. Thunderous clapping filled the room as Layne kissed me. “Tonight, we will celebrate when we’re alone.” He took my hand in his and guided us back to the table.
Marilyn jumped up and hugged us. “I know you’ll need to take your time and graduate college first, but I can’t wait to help you plan your wedding!” She kissed my cheek.
Michael, Benji, and Avery all congratulated us. My heart overflowed with the love that surrounded me. I’d gone from nearly dying in a garbage dumpster to an amazing life. Love, safety, and family—everything I’d ever dreamed of—had finally materialized in front of me.
Michael grabbed the microphone once again. “Thank you all for joining us tonight. We obviously have a lot to celebrate, so let’s get it underway.”
Over the next hour, the alcohol flowed, and I danced with Layne, Michael, and Benji. Avery and I agreed we would save our dances for the bar. My feet were killing me in my heels, but for the first time since I could remember, I was happy—genuinely, truly happy.
The music slowed and Layne closed the gap between us as “I Wish I Was the Moon” began to play. I snuggled up to him and laid my head on his chest. In his arms was the best place to be.
He tilted his head to the side of us and grinned. “Ten, look.”
“Holy shit.” I clamped my mouth shut, thankful the music was too loud for anyone other than my fiancé to have heard me. My head whipped back around. “Are Gemma Thompson and Hendrix Harrington from August Clover really dancing next to us, or did you put something in my drink? And when did they get here?” I peeked back over at them, and Gemma gave me a friendly smile and a little wave.
“I’m not sure, but they snuck in. Let’s go say hello.” Layne released me, and we crossed the dance floor.
As we approached, Hendrix released Gemma, and they turned to face us.
“Hi,” Gemma said. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“I can’t believe you’re here!” Butterflies scattered in my chest, leaving me a bit light-headed.
“Franklin mentioned it and thought we’d like to stop by,” Hendrix said. He ran his fingers through his shoulder-length hair, and I fangirled right in front of my own fiancé.
Layne extended his hand. “It’s nice to meet you both.”
“We won’t keep you guys tonight,” Hendrix said. “But Tensley, Franklin showed us a video of your drum performance, and you’re amazing.”
“Oh my God, I’ve never seen anything like it,” Gemma added. “The real reason we’re here is to see if you might be interested in opening for August Clover on the next tour.”
My Southern manners flew right out the fucking door, and I stood there, gawking at them. I was speechless, shocked. Mind blown.
“I … I …”
Gemma giggled. “It’s okay. It’s a lot to think about, and you’ve had a really, really big night. Take some time to consider it.”
“Better yet, why don’t we all meet for dinner this weekend, and we can talk specifics?” Hendrix stared at me, hope flickering in his eyes. “I mean, if you’re interested.”
My gaze drifted from Hendrix to Gemma to Layne. He nodded, giving me his full support.
“I’d love to,” I croaked, finally finding my voice.
“Oh, I’m so excited.” Gemma hugged me. “If you do tour with us, we will have so much fun. You’ll love the band. And you’ll really love Mac.”
“Mac, as in Franklin’s daughter, Mackenzie?” I asked for clarification.
“The one and only.” Hendrix chuckled. “Give us a call tomorrow. We’ve actually got to go but wanted to stop by and see if you were interested.”
“Thank you,” I gushed. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”
Hendrix and Gemma waved goodbye, and I stayed rooted in place, gawking at them as they spoke with Franklin, Pierce, and Sutton before they left.
Then I turned to stare at Layne. “Did that just fucking happen?”
“Congratulations, babe. I’m so proud of you.” He wrapped his arms around me, picked me up, and spun me around. A delicious giggle filled my ears. My giggle.
He sat me back on the floor and tilted my chin up. “It’s been a busy night. How are you doing, fiancée?” Layne grinned and leaned down to kiss me.
I sighed then gazed into the most beautiful blue eyes I’d ever seen. “Good. Happy. Delirious.”
“If you want to tour, I say we make it work.” His expression grew serious. “I mean it. You have my full support. You’ve got too much talent to say no, babe.”
“But what about you? I mean, I’d be gone for a while. I don’t know if I can …”
“I can go with you. I can take online classes and be there to support you every step of the way. People do it all the time. Babe, we’ve got this.”
“Really? You’d go with me?” I blinked back tears as I peered into my fiancé’s eyes. My chest ached, but not from fear or pain. My heart was overwhelmed with love and the hope of new possibilities.
“I’d be honored too. I love you so much, Ten. And thank you for agreeing to be my wife.” He slid his hand down my back and rested it above my butt. “I can’t wait to start the next chapter of our lives together.”
“I love you, too.” I kissed him slowly, savoring the moment. “Did Benji, Marilyn, or Avery know about the proposal, or was it just Michael?”
Layne chuckled. “I asked your parents for permission to marry their daughter last week, and when they said yes, I talked to Benji. We have everyone’s blessing.”
“What?” I laughed. “I love it. Never in a million years did I think it would be possible that I’d have parents for you to even ask.”
Layne rested his forehead against mine as we swayed to the music. “I think anything is possible as long as you’re next to me.”
My mouth brushed against his full lips, and I released a sigh of contentment. “Fairy tales aren’t even this good.”
“Just wait, babe. I have a feeling it’s about to get even better.” Then he twirled me around.
Don’t miss Fractured Intentions, book 2, in the Wicked Intentions series! Pre-order Today! Universal link https://readerlinks.com/l/1606876.
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