Page 51 of When the Stars Rise

“And you know what would make me really, really happy right now, Noah?”

I shake my head vigorously.No. Don’t do it. Don’t you fucking dare—

She bats her lashes, looking all sweet and innocent, but it’s an act, and her next words prove it. “If you would sing that song for me, I would love you forever.”

Fucking hell. She went there.

I laugh and scrub my hand down my face to cover my nerves as I look out atall those people.

“I’m not the singer. I leave that up to you because you’re so good at it.” I flash my most charming smile, which everyone in the entire arena can see, thanks to the gigantic screens projecting our image.

“Oh, don’t be shy.” She grabs my arm and yanks me closer so we’re both standing right in front of the mic stand. “I’ll even let you use my mic.”

“You’re too good to me.”

I don’t get easily embarrassed, but I’m not a singer. This isn’t my element, so yeah, she is pushing me way out of my comfort zone. It’s the equivalent of me trying to get her to jump out of a plane.

Nevertheless, we both know I’m going to do it.

As Jude always says: Adapt. Improvise. And overcome.

I’m a pro at all three, so I’ll have to beat her at her own game.

I grab the mic and quickly formulate a plan. Jesus, there are so many people out there with raised phones taking videos. “Hey, New York! Who wants to put a big smile on Hayley’s face?”

Of course, they do. They’d do anything for her. “I’m with you on that one. Okay, here’s what I need from you. I want you all to sing along. Let’s blow the fucking roof off this building. Who’s with me?”

I stride across the stage from one end to the other, my arm raised, hand in a fist to rally the troops and convince them to follow me into battle, a.k.a. do a little sing-along.

They’re all with me.

I shoot Hayley a smirk as the audience starts singing along to “Here Comes the Sun.” Hayley is laughing because you can barely hear my voice. The audience thankfully drowns it out.

She joins me at the mic and sings along, all adorable and playful, and I sing directly to her as if it’s just the two of us.

Memories of our lost youth flash before my eyes. When life was good, and we had no idea what was waiting for us just around the corner.

“Little darlin’…”

We’re six years old, and I’m holding out a ring pop lollipop, asking her to marry me.

“… doo-doo-doo-doo…”

We’re nine years old, searching for the brightest star to wish on.Someday, I’m gonna marry you, Hales.

“… lonely winter…”

We’re fifteen years old, and I’m climbing up the drainpipe on the side of her house and diving through the window with a rose clenched between my teeth to steal her first kiss.

“… feels like years…”

We’re sixteen, and we swipe a bottle of champagne off the bride’s table and slip out the back door. Her back is pressed against the stone wall, and my hand is up her silky lilac dress, our lips locked in a kiss that felt like so much more than a kiss.

“… slowly melting…”

That’s when our carefree childhood ended, right after that wedding.

“… It’s alright.”