Page 73 of Hey Girl
Jack, Josh, and Matt meander back over to us, guitars dangling and hands up in the air applauding.
Before I know it, my face is in my new fiance’s hands, and he’s pulled me into a completely engulfing kiss, his tongue wasting no time diving into my mouth and I happily receive it, kissing him back with all I’ve got, witnesses be damned - oh wait, they’re still cheering. Nevermind.
When his lips finally retreat, it’s only enough to speak against my lips, his forehead resting against mine. “Mouse?” he asks. “What the fuck was that?” His admonishing tone would be setting off my alarms if it weren’t for the playful smile playing at his lips.
“What?” I coyly lift a shoulder, not sure how to go into explaining how I wanted to show him how much he means to me by doing the unthinkable.
“I was supposed to do that,” he points out, referring to societal norms, but fuck those. “But at least I can do this part.” He steps back, reaching into the front pocket of his shirt, undoing the button.
“What are you doing?” I shout over the deafening roar of the crowd.
“I’ve been keeping something close to my heart until you felt ready.” He produces a tiny trinket between his thumb and forefinger. It’s hard to get a crisp focus on it without my glasses but I step forward to get a better look and feel a gasp shoot up my throat as I look between his face and the small golden hoop in his fingers. The stage lights sweep over us to reveal an exquisite green diamond nestled in a gold setting and I feel my lips clamp hard together as more tears make their way from my ducts, trickling down my cheeks.
“It’s so beautiful,” I squeak out, completely blown away.
Chris takes my hand and relieves it of the microphone before handing it off to God knows who and gently sliding the beautiful ring on my finger.
Chris
Oh my God,I’m getting married!
To the most beautiful, bravest, foxiest mouse in all the land!
I look down at her finger. I can’t believe she’s wearing my ring. My gaze darts up to her face, tear streaks shine under the stage lights as those beautiful eyes sparkle with love for me. It’s the most perfect sight I’ve ever seen.
“I love you so much,” I say for only her to hear. “I can’t believe you did this.”
“It’s how much I love you.” And again, I’m knocked flat on my ass in disbelief that I have someone’s love like this. I hear a mounting beat from the crowd as all their hands come together in unisonic claps, and for the first time I think I’m blushing. Am I blushing?
Rebecca’s eyes shift in the direction of the crowd and quickly dart back to mine.
“You have a show to finish,” she regretfully reminds me.
“But—.”
“Paying fans,” her voice grows adamant.
“I don’t wanna.”
“You have to. Chris, if this is going to work, you have to keep doing your job.”
I drop my hands before letting out a weighted sigh. She’s right. “You’ll still be here? You’ll be waiting backstage?”
“You bet your sweet ass I will.”
EPILOGUE
LEO
“Is she sleeping?” Sadie asks from the couch as I grab my beer from the fridge.
“Like an angel.” I bite the cap off and sit next to my wife. “Press play.”
She gives me a mock stern look. “Is she in bed with her eyes closed just pretending to lull us into a false sense of security, or is she actually sleeping?”
My mouth quirks. Rhiannon has pulled that stunt more than once, but I’m pretty damn sure I’m right this time. “Fast asleep and dreaming of Elmo, I’m sure of it. Now press play. I’ve been looking forward to this one since Chris put a bun in Rebecca’s oven.”
Drumbeats and Heartbeats, Chris and Rebecca’s new reality show, drops a new episode on Prime every Wednesday night, and this particular one is gonna be a doozy. I’m gonna mine it for Chris baiting material like my life depends on it.