“Where do you wanna go, Ruby?”
The proposal doesn’t come with some grand speech about love and happiness, or solemn vows and promises of love, honor, and cherish. It’s so much more than that. It's our past, present, and future wrapped up in one simple question that mightnot mean much to anyone else, but to us, it’s everything.
“Anywhere but here.”
He slips the ring onto my finger and brings it to his lips. “I love you, Goldie.”
I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him senseless as the crowd erupts behind me. He dips me backward and deepens the kiss, slipping his tongue into my mouth. It’s not the most appropriate kiss for two people standing on a stage in the middle of a sold-out arena, but I can’t find it in me to care.
When he pulls away, his hands gently cradle my jaw, and he stares into my tear-filled eyes. His thumb slowly slides along my cheekbone. “Just to be clear, is that a yes?”
“Yes.” I bring my forehead to his. “You still haven’t missed a single show.”
“This is by far the best one.” He kisses me again, softly this time, and I melt into his arms for the briefest moment. “The show must go on, Miss Hayes.”
I spin to face the crowd again in time to see them parting to let Connor through with Aiden. He passes him over the barrier to Nico. Once on stage, Aiden barrels over to us.
I squat low to catch him, and he wraps me in a tight hug.
“Did I do a good job, Dad?” he asks.
“You were perfect. Thanks for the assist, bud.” Liam holds out his hand, and they high-five.
“Does that mean you’re ours?” Aiden asks.
“I’m yours. Forever.”
Epilogue
? If You Hadn’t Been There - Dolly Parton
Connor
It’s awards night, and everyone is gathering at The Ridge to watch the show on their massive projection screen. Cade agreed to close down the bar for the occasion, while the Country Music Darling and her plus one are living it up in Nashville.
Ruby’s up for seven awards, including Album of the Year for “Skylines and Sanctuaries,” and Song of the Year for “Heaven-sent and Hellbound.” After the epic falling out with her label, they declined to sell her the rights to the unreleased song, so she re-recorded the single and released it on her new album. It was a badass move, and her fans streamed the hell out of it the day it was released.
When I enter the bar, I immediately recognize Cade and his wife Paige. He bought the bar from me a few years back when I decided I was going to put down roots in Lexington. Ruby’s brothers and her sister-in-law are also here, along with Ivy and Luca, Miles and Mags—some of Liam’s closest friends.
Cade flags me down and slides my favorite hard cider across the bar.
I catch it and hold it up in greeting.
“Show’s about to start. We’re placing bets. You in?” he asks.
I lean my hip against the bar next to Paige and take a sip of my beer. “What are we betting on?”
“If Liam is gonna cry when she thanks him.”
I slap a fifty on the bar. “Count me in. He’s definitely gonna lose it.”
“I don’t know,” Miles says. “I’ve never seen him cry.”
I shrug. “Guess we’ll see who comes out on top.”
“What if she doesn’t win?” Paige asks.
“She’ll win,” all three of her brothers chime in at the same time.
