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I never gave ‘em much mind, thought that was a life meant for someone else.
But then I met you.
There ain’t no one like you.
I thought it didn’t mean nothin’ when I sat across from you, bought a ring for you.
Just a part of the show I told myself, but this ain’t a show.
And I didn’t want you to go back home.
So to answer your question…
If you keep the ring, you have to keep me, too.
He can barely get the last line out between his laughter. I burst into laughter too, causing the entire café to turn and look at me as Wade plays the final chord of the silly, yet charming melody.
“Thank you,” he says into the mic, grabbing everyone’s attention back. They erupt in applause, and I join in, a goofy grin spreading across my face as he makes his way toward me. “Is this seat taken?” he asks, gesturing to the chair across from me. “I don’t want to impose.”
“No one is sitting there,” I say, my stomach filling with butterflies as he pulls out the chair to take a seat. Another person is already at the mic, and despite Wade being quite the celebrity, everyone is being respectful of him.
Welcome to the town where no one cares about fame.
“That’s good, because otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to get a seat for this very affluent show tonight.”
I shake my head, letting out a small laugh. “So, I take it that you made it out of the situation with your family alive? Because I was wondering what took you so long to show up here.”
“So you were worried, huh?” Wade smiles, his eyes lighting up as he reaches for my hand across the table. “I love you, Callie. I know that sounds absolutely mad considering the way things started between us, but I’ve seriously never known anyone like you—I think you’re something really special. And honestly, I’m so glad you took the ring. I wouldn’t have blamed you for taking off without a word, I never should’ve asked you to be my fake fiancée.”
“I mean, I could’ve said no,” I point out, pushing some of my messy hair behind my ear with my free hand. “You might have been the mastermind behind the scheme, but I was just as much a part of the lie—and should probably have told your entire family sorry for how much I lied to them before I bolted out of there.”
“Nah, they’re not worried about it—any of it, actually,” he says, letting out a sigh and running his fingers through his hair. “I think they were all much more concerned that I hunt you down and make things right. And I would’ve been here earlier, but I had to write the song, and I just ... I just couldn’t get it right.” His eyes fall to his hand holding mine, and he gives it a soft squeeze, sending a chill down my arm. “But then I realized that it didn’t matter if it was right or not. I just needed to get here—to you.”
“Well, if it makes you feel any better, I thought your song was pretty great.” I laugh, unable to hide my smile. “I think it was the perfect song, actually. It puts all the love songs we wrote together to shame.”
“Ha ha.” He rolls his eyes. “Now we both know that’s not anywhere close to the truth. Our songs blow that one right out of the water—and you know that.”
My heart jumps, his voice sounding sweeter and sweeter the longer he sits across the table from me. “So, I guess you still want to write that album then?”
“I’d like to give it a shot if you’re open to it.” Wade smiles at me, before looking out the window into the parking lot. “Though I think we should go record it somewhere far from everything we both know—like maybe Fiji or something?”
“Fiji?” I echo, bursting into laughter. “Why in the world would we go to Fiji?”
“Because as soon as the videos of me serenading you that everyone took tonight make it to social media, our story is going to be plastered everywhere,” he whispers. “Callie, I have no clue what they’re gonna say about it all, since not that long ago, I was a pretty huge mess—and maybe I still am, I don’t know. That being said, I just don’t want you to change your mind about me.”
“What do you mean? You don’t think they’ll paint you as the charming, intelligent, and sweet man that I think you are?” I ask, smiling at the way it makes him blush.
“Well...” he clears his throat. “As much as I want that to be the only Wade the world knows, it’s simply not the truth—and I’m tired of lying. Also, you forgot to list off the fact that I’m incredibly funny—and handsome. Those need to be in there, too.”
“Ah, yes,” I say with a sigh. “Silly me, how could I have possibly forgotten?”
He laughs, tipping his head back as his eyes sparkle beneath the café lights.
“But Wade, let me make one thing clear. I am not going anywhere. I couldn’t care less what the media has to say about you or us.”
He squeezes my hand again before kissing me on the cheek.
“What in the world would I have done had I not met you, Callie? The best thing I ever did was stop by this ridiculous coffee shop and pick up your pen from the floor.”
