Page 118 of That Friendzone Feeling

ThelastDreamtownBoyputs her down, and she runs back to me. “Sorry.”There’sa glint of mischief in her eye. “Couldn’tresist.”

“Irealize they’re tough competition,”Isay.

Anddrop to one knee.

Myheart pounds against my ribs.Mypulse races to keep up.

Everyonein the crowd just about loses their mind.

Emily’shands fly to her face again.Ireach up and take one of them in mine.

“EmilyLombardo, you’ve been the most important person in my life for ten years.Iknew you were the one the momentImet you.Andnot just because you were the most interesting thing in that incredibly boring lecture.”

Ipause for the chuckle that runs through the audience.

“Ifell in love with you in a matter of days.I’vebeen in love with you ever since.”

Andsuddenly we’re the only two people in the world.Everyonearound us falls away, and it’s just me looking up at the love of my life and her looking back at me.

Starstwinkle in the dark sky that frames her gorgeous face, her cheeks a glowing pink in the stage lights.

“Ilove the way you won’t eat or drink anything that isn’t eighty percent sugar.Ilove the way you couldn’t throw something and hit a target if your life depended on it.AndIlove that you are the smartest, funniest, most beautiful best friend anyone could ever dream of.”

Ipull a small square box from my pocket and, with atrembling hand, pop it open. “I’llbe in love with you forever.AndI’dreally like it if you’d marry me.Ifyou wouldn’t mind.”

Ihold the box up to her.Herfull eyes widen, her mouth drops open, and a gasp flies out.

“Iwouldn’t mind at all.”

Thecrowdoohs andahs, andIremember we aren’t alone.

Emilylooks from the box to me. “Imean becauseIlove you.Notjust because of this incredible ring.”

Iput the microphone down soIcan pluck the ring from the box, take her hand, and slide it onto her finger.

“Ichose a pink diamond with all these tiny clear ones clustered around it because it somehow made me think of your sweet drinks.”

“It’sperfect,” she says, pulling her hand to her face to examine it more closely. “Perfect.”

Shecups my cheeks and presses her soft, full lips on mine.I’mso lost in her, the sound of the crowd cheering and clapping fades into the background.

Shepulls back slightly. “You’reperfect.”Sheruns her fingers along my jawline. “Andthis chin is still so perfectly smooth.”

AsIgather her in my arms,Sarapicks up the song where they’d left off, andTheDreamtownBoysdo their thing.

“Thankyou for making this so special,”Emilysays to the fiveDreamtownBoysgathered around her in the welcome center.

“Erm.”Icough. “Hello?”

“Well, yes, of course.”Sherests a hand on my shoulder. “Itwould have been the most special day ever, even if it had been justWalkerand me alone somewhere.”Sheputs up a hand to hide her mouth from me and whispers something toTheBoys, who erupt in laughter.

Idrape my arm around my hilarious fiancée’s shoulders. “Seriously, guys.Thankyou so much.Ican’t tell you how muchIappreciate you squeezing this in.Especiallywith you being so busy.”

“Noworries at all,” saysPax, the lead singer. “Itwas an honor to be here for such a special moment.”

“Andyou hooked us up withSara,” says one of the other guys—Dale, orDave, orDane, or something. “Weloved working with her so much we’ve invited her to play on the album and do some shows with us.”

Saraappears by our side. “Yes.Walkermight have changed more lives than he realizes today.Ihad the best time with these guys.Couldbe the start of a whole new chapter.”