Page 152 of One Last Shot

“Are you kidding me?” Maggie said, rolling her chair toward him. “I... What is happening?” She covered her face with her hands.

“Hey, Maggie,” he said, ignoring the phones. “Thank you for inviting me toyour swanky party.”

She started laughing, crying, looking at her friends. “I... Seriously?”

“Seriously,” he said. Then he leaned in and gave her a hug.

She wrapped her arms around him. “This is ridiculous!” Her laughter swept through him.

He laughed too, then pulled away. “How about a song?”

Cheers, and he looked back at Boo, who winked.

“I’ve been working on this for the last couple weeks. It’s going on my new album, but I thought I’d try it out here first. Ready?”

He pulled up the guitar, strummed out the intro, then dove in.

“Out on the open road, I’ve been searching high and low

For a love that’s true, a heart that knows.

Through dusty towns and city lights, I roamed,

Seeking a love that felt like coming home.”

He smiled down at Maggie. Yeah, this was why he sang. For the light he found in the eyes of others.

“But then you walked into my life, like a sunrise over fields.

I saw forever in your eyes, and all the past wounds healed.

Now I know, deep in my soul, I’m the luckiest guy alive,

For in your love, darlin’, I’ve found my guiding light.”

He took a step back, moving into the chorus, watching people bob their heads.

“I’ve walked through valleys, climbed mountains high,

But it all led me to you, under this infinite sky.

With your hand in mine, I face every storm,

Because of you, my love, I’ve truly been reborn.”

He looked at Boo. She nodded, swayingwith his song.

“In the tapestry of time, our paths aligned.

You’re the answer to my prayers, the love I’ve pined.

Through every trial, every twist and turn,

With you by my side, I’ve come to learn?—”

He turned back to Maggie, a glance at Stella, then to heaven.

Closed his eyes.