Page 117 of That Friendzone Feeling

“Esteemedguests, please welcomeSaraLombardo.”

Emilypushes me so hard she knocks me off balance. “Sothat’s why there had to be a piano.”

“Yup.That’swhy.”

Saratakes the same path around the edge of the lawn and onto the stage.

Shegives us a wave as she sits down, facing us across the grand piano.

Emilyclutches her chest, her face flushed, her eyes sparkling in the stage light as the sun sets behind us.

Saracounts to four and strikes the keys.Theevening air is filled with the opening notes ofEmily’sfavoriteDreamtownBoyssong—the one she was dancing to in the office onNewYear’sEve, the same one she sang to me onValentine’snight.

Herhands fly from her chest to her cheeks.

“Oh, myGod.”Herawe and wonder fill my heart. “Youdid this for me?”

“Idid.”

Iturn her so we’re watching the guys from the side of the stage as they click their fingers and step from one foot to the other in unison.Idip my head to kiss her on the cheek and whisper, “Listento them.”

Shewraps her arm around my waist and grips me tight.

Theguys make it through the first verse, the chorus, and the second verse, then take their microphones from the stands and turn to face us as they hit the chorus again.

Emilylooks up at me. “Whatthe hell?”

Iput my finger to my lips to shush her and point at them to direct her attention.

Andhere comes the thing that’s been distracting me all day—the day whenIshould have been focused on the most momentous occasion for our company so far, our giant leap into a new business venture.

Buthere comes the leap into my biggestlifeventure.

Againstthe darkening sky, the stage lights on the guys seem brighter.Theycontinue finger-clicking and side-stepping as they sing an adapted version of the chorusEmilysang to me in the packed bar.

It’syou and me against the world

It’salways been that way

Emily,I’min love with you

Marryme, what do you say?

Fora final flourish, all five drop to one knee and grin atEmily.

Shedrags her arm from around my waist and looks up at me in slow motion, eyes wide. “Seriously?”

Ihadn’t actually considered the possibility of her saying no.Obviously,Iwouldn’t have done something so public ifIhad.Buta flicker of doubt flashes across my mind and clenches my guts.

“Seriously,”Itell her.

Shelooks back toward the guys, who’re still on theirknees, and runs toward them, her arms outstretched as if to scoop them up. “Yes,I’llmarryallof you,” she cries.

Theaudience dissolves into laughter.

Sara, reveling in her sister’s happiness, stands and claps.

Theguys get to their feet and hugEmilyin turn.