“We did it,” I said, smiling up at him. “And this is just the beginning.”
Epilogue
Layne
Two Years Later . . .
I took another bow, smiling and waving at the sold-out crowd. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to this. Saying it was a dream come true didn’t quite cover how unbelievable touring with Tessa Hart was.
Ever since meeting her at the diva competition my life had been a whirlwind. She bought six of my songs, giving me more than enough money to pursue music at the college of my choice. But I’d yet to start my studies, because passing up the opportunity to tour with my idol was not gonna happen.
College would always be there. An opening in Mason Jar Harts’ sold out world tour? Not so much.
I’d played three hometown shows with Tessa and her band right after I graduated high school. That turned into six more shows in the tri-state area. Then I signed on for the whole east coast tour, and before I knew it, I was a bonafide diva—with my name in lights and everything!
Once the tour ended, Wyatt and his dad negotiated my first record deal, releasing just in time for Tessa’s newest world tour. We were wrapping it up with one more show in Ireland before returning to the states. The final show of the tour was going to be in New York City! And Lola and all her NYU friends were going to be there. I’d even gotten them VIP seats.
But my favorite part of my new life was that Wyatt was there for every moment of it. He was on the road with me and Tessa’s band. And honestly, was there anything better than making music and seeing the world with your boyfriend?
Apparently, it wasn’t typical for managers to come on world tours, but since when was anything typical about Wyatt Nash?
Plus, he said he had to come to remind me that I was still his favorite client.
He’d joined the family business and started working with his dad’s label after he graduated. Wyatt was really coming into his own. I loved seeing him thrive and excel in the music business.
I wasn’t surprised he was so good at his job. I’d always known music was where he belonged. I told him he should take on more clients because he was an excellent manager. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t think I’d be here. But he always told me I would’ve made it on my own.
Maybe that was true, but I was glad I didn’t have to. I wouldn’t change a thing about how everything had worked out. Not even the infamous radio song that got me DQ’d from the diva competition.
That song became my first number one hit. And it would always have a special place in my heart thanks to Wyatt. Just thinking about that song still made my heart swell. I couldn’t play Bent and not picture him standing in my yard, holding up that stereo, making my very first dream come true—one song on the radio.
Feeling nostalgic, I stared out at the cheering crowd. I’d already done my encore and was supposed to be heading off stage so the crew could make the quick set change for Tessa and the band.
My band was already heading off stage, but when I looked over and saw Wyatt grinning at me from just beyond the curtains, I knew what I wanted to do.
He’d asked me a very important question last night. One that I’d yet to answer. It was a big decision that would change my life, yet again. And though I wasn’t the timid girl I used to be, I still liked to look before leaping. And this would be the biggest leap yet.
But this was my last show before going home and I wanted to do it right.
I pulled the microphone from the stand and faced the crowd once more. “Ya know what? I think I have one more song in me tonight. Is that alright?”
The crowd roared their approval.
“Okay, but I’m gonna need your help. Because I can only do it, if I can get someone very special to come out here and join me on stage. Will you help me call him out here? His name is Wyatt Nash.”
The thunderous applause organized into a chant. “Wy-att! Wy-att! Wy-att!”
I looked over at Wyatt, meeting his dazzling smile with one of my own. He shook his head at me. I could see his face flushing even in the shadowy protection of backstage. But I wasn’t giving up.
In all the shows I’d played I’d yet to get him to come on stage with me. He always said it was my time to shine, but I’d had my time. Besides, I never shined brighter than when he was by my side.
So, I clasped my hands together, silently begging him to come on stage. I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist my plea for long. And it didn’t hurt that Tessa and her bandmates were now backstage chanting along with the rest of the crowd. Once they joined in the effort to get Wyatt on stage, he finally caved.
The roar was deafening when he walked out to join me. I didn’t mind the noise. It gave me a chance to whisper in Wyatt’s ear. “Took you long enough,” I teased.
“What are you doing?”
“What I should’ve done a long time ago.”
“Which is?”
“Introducing the world to the man I want to spend forever with.”
Wyatt moved closer to me, a whisper of a smile on his lips. “Does that mean you have an answer for me?”
“I do.” My eyes danced with excitement. “It’s yes.”
“Are you serious?” His eyes were wide, his voice hesitant. “Y-you’ll marry me?”
“Of course, I will!”
Wyatt whooped and scooped me into his arms, spinning me around, before remembering we had an audience. They didn’t know about the proposal. No one did. But they could tell something big was happening and their cheering reached a fever pitch.
I pulled Wyatt’s attention back to me, frowning at the worry I saw in his green eyes. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure.”
“What about college and that fact that we’re still so young?”
I shrugged. “Since when have we ever done anything in the right order?”
He laughed. “True. It seems to have worked so far.”
“I’d say.” I gave him a big kiss to the approval of the crowd. “Now how about you sing a song with me?”
He gave me that crooked grin I adored. “Which one?”
“Our song.”
Wyatt smiled, and pulled me closer, his lips grazing my ear as he spoke. “The one that started it all?”
I nodded; my throat tight with emotions.
“I love you so much, my Penny Layne. I can’t wait to spend forever with you.”
I looked up at him, tears of joy in my eyes. “Forever starts now.”
He gave me a sinful smile. “I sorta wish we weren’t sharing this moment with a few thousand people.”
I laughed, almost having forgotten about the crowd, whose cheering had quieted, like they knew how special this moment was. I took Wyatt’s hand in mine and stepped up to the mic.
“Sorry about that,” I said to the crowd. “I hope you don’t mind, but he’s been waiting patiently for my answer to a very important question.”
Wyatt stepped up to the mic too, his smile more dazzling than ever. “She said yes, by the way.”
I grinned. “We’re getting married!”
The crowd exploded with applause and Tessa, her band and mine all rushed the stage, swooping me and Wyatt up in a flurry of excitement. I felt like my heart might burst as I celebrated this incredible moment on stage with Wyatt. I was so incredibly grateful to call him mine.