Goosebumps. They’re erupting across every square inch of my skin!
Colin chuckles at whatever he’s seeing on my face, before nodding at Fish, taking a deep breath, and launching into his song:
[Click here to listen to Colin sing his song “Swoon” to Amy]
First time I saw you I loved you the most
Don’t remember that day, I trust what I’m told
How could you doubt the effect of your smile?
It parts the clouds
Saw you again, like no time had passed
Except for the curves under that purple dress
You wished for a love song, your wish my command
I’m singing to you now
You make me swoon
Baby, you just do it for me
Swoon
In my soul down deep
Love you to the moon
And right back again
Baby, you’re perfection to me
A stone-cold, perfect ten
Swoon to the moon and back again
If you’re a creeper, then call me one too
My pulse through the roof any time I’m near you
Don’t ever doubt the effect that you have
You drive me wild
Those green eyes and that smile
You make me swoon
Baby, you just do it for me
Swoon
In my soul down deep
Love you to the moon
And right back again
Baby, you’re perfection to me
A stone-cold, perfect ten
Swoon to the moon and back again
I’ll love you till I’m old and gray
Love you from beyond the grave
Love you forever and a day
Love you more than words could ever say
You make me swoon
Baby, you just do it for me
You make me swoon
In my soul down deep
Love you to the moon
And right back again
Baby, you’re perfection to me
A stone-cold, perfect ten
Swoon to the moon and back again
By the time Colin finishes his stunning song, tears are streaking down my cheeks, my heart is a stampede of wild horses in my chest, and, of course, I’m swooning. Riding a wave of love and excitement, gratitude and relief, I pop up from the edge of Caleb’s bed and fling myself into Colin’s waiting arms.
“I love it!” I shout. “I love you so much!”
Colin takes my tear-streaked face in his palms. “Every word is the truth. I love you to the moon and back again. I’ll love you forever and a day.” With that, Colin crushes his lips to mine.
Fish and Caleb cheer like they’re watching a smooch on a kiss-cam at a basketball game, which prompts Colin and me to laugh into each other’s lips and fall into a tight, fervent embrace.
“Live with me,” Colin says into my hair. “Be mine forever and I promise I’ll never stop shouting from every rooftop about my love for you, as long as I live.”
I pull back from our hug to wipe my cheek and discover Fish and Caleb have left the room.
“You don’t have to promise me forever,” I say. “We can take it slow. I just need to know you’re not—"
“I don’t need or want to take it slow, Amy. You’re The One. I’m done dating. I’m done looking. I’m committed to you—to building a life with you and only you. Forever.”
I’m shaking. Reeling. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I’ve always loved you—my whole life. If I had another hundred lives to live, I’d love you, and only you, in all of them.”
I fling myself at him again, too overwhelmed with joy to speak.
Colin’s hard chest heaves against mine. “Come work for me, Ames. I don’t want you working for someone else who—”
“I’m working for Violet!” I shout excitedly, and then giggle at the look of complete shock on Colin’s face. “I’m starting on Monday after Dax and Violet get back from Seattle!”
“Violet?”
I quickly tell him the gist and he’s every bit as thrilled as I am.
“That really does sound like your dream job!” Colin says.
“And guess what else?” I say, jumping up and down like toddler. “Violet told me yesterday she wants me to travel with her, whenever she and Jackson join Dax on tour, so she can keep working while she’s on the road!” I squeal. “That means I’m gonna get paid to travel with you!”
Colin guffaws with me. “Well, I would have been happy to pay you to do that.”
I giggle. “I’d much rather have Violet as my employer and you as my boyfriend. But thank you.”
Colin’s dark eyes are sparkling. “That big family you dream about having one day? I want that, too. I want all of it, Amy, anything you dream about, I want it—as long as it’s with you.”
My breathing hitches. “That’s not even close to what I was demanding of you the other day. I only needed to know you could imagine—”
“I know that. I understand now what you were saying to me. To be clear, I don’t want to get started on all of that stuff, immediately. I’d like to have some time alone with you, before we jump into the next step. But I want you to know I’m one hundred percent all-in. None of what you said scares me. It only makes me excited about our future.”
Well, that’s all my poor little heart can take. Up until this moment, I’ve managed to pretty-cry this whole time, the way beautiful actresses do in period flicks—with gentle, poetic tears tracking slowly down my cheeks. But now, all bets are off and I’m a weeping, sobbing, snotty mess—letting loose with an ugly-cry that’s almost certainly contorting my face in the most embarrassing of ways.
“Aw, Ames,” Colin whispers, pulling me into his hard chest.
As I sob against him, Colin rubs my back and kisses my hair. He coos at me softly and says he loves me. Until, finally, I calm down enough to speak.
“This is even better than any fantasy. It’s perfect.”
“Even though I’m not perfect?”
“Correct.”
Colin chuckles. “What clued you in? Damn.” He winks playfully. “You ready to call your brother now, Red?”
I suck in a sharp inhale. “Yes!”
Colin pulls out his phone, and a moment later, Logan’s smiling face appears on his screen.
“Hey, guys,” Logan says. He frowns. “What’s wrong, Amy?”
“Those are tears of joy,” Colin reports calmly.
“Shocker,” Logan deadpans.
“Is your wife nearby?” Colin asks. “I’d like to tell you both what’s caused Amy’s happy tears.”
“She’s right here.” He yells over his shoulder. “Baaabe!”
There’s a beat. And then Kennedy appears. “Hey, guys.” Kennedy frowns. “What’s wrong, Amy?”
“They’re ‘tears of joy,’” Logan reports.
“Oh, good.”
All appropriate greetings are administered, before Colin gets down to brass tacks.
“So, guys,” Colin says, “the reason I called is to inform you that I’m head over heels in love with Amy O’Brien and she feels the same way about me.”