Page 141 of Fauxmance

I smiled. "I love you, too."

Hayden laughed under his breath. "I honestly thought it might take more groveling."

"Oh please, feel free to grovel," I said. "Is that what the guitar was for?"

He nodded. "My plan was to go acoustic and singas many songs as it took to convince you to give me a second chance."

I lifted a brow. "Well, the first one was amazing. Would you do an encore? As a request from your girlfriend?"

"Anything," Hayden said. "I'd do anything for you."

"And I'd do the same," I said. "Hayden Bartholomew."

He grinned, stole one last kiss and then started to play.

It was kind of like history repeating itself but better.

Because now I knew who I was, and I knew who Hayden was.

It didn't matter where we were, in an elevator, a ballroom, a bar, a car, a wedding. The location wasn't as important as the people who you got to experience life with. And he was my person. The only thing I wanted was to start forever with him.

And it just so happened that forever started in an elevator.

Epilogue

"I have to admit. They're not so bad."

The comment came from Hayden's father. We were currently standing near the back of the room, listening to HERS kill it onstage. The music surrounded us, lifting everyone's spirits, an infectious energy spreading over the crowd.Not so bad?I had to work hard not to roll my eyes.

His wife, however, didn't even try.

"Please," she said with a scoff. "They're amazing, Bart. Don't downplay it."

He lifted a brow, not seeming to realize he was tapping his foot to the beat. "Good crowd, too. I never pictured this many people when we talked about Hayden's little shows. Maybe he won't be a starving artist after all."

I laughed under my breath.

There was no 'maybe' about it. Momentum was building around the band. People were already downloading and loving the music. If they kept it up, HERS was on their way to super stardom. The label exec who they had auditioned for a month ago had said as much. She'd signed them on the spot. They started releasing songs online, building up a following. Honeycomb was only the first stop on their tour. They'd play Atlanta next, a bigger venue with more seats—which they'd already managed to sell out—before playing other stages around the U.S. This was small potatoes. Still... As I gazed around, it looked like the whole city was here. They'd turned out to support their hometown boys before they made it big. My heart thrilled for Hayden and the guys.

"Not bad," his father repeated.

Hayden's mother aka Dr. Moorehousethrew me a wink. "That's my husband, king of the understatement," she said. "They rock. And did you know the band is donating a portion of the proceeds to a local food charity?"

It still made my heart swell, knowing Hayden had thought of a way to helpThe Little Spoon. "You were my inspiration," he'd said before asking if I'd come in and talk about it with their new manager. She'd liked the idea so much—a band she was in charge of giving back to the community—it was now going to be a staple at their shows. A small percentage would go to help food banks and small charities in whatever town they visited. Thinking about the impact they could have, all the good this would do…it made me feel giddy.

"Just look at Hayden," his mother said. "He's shining like a star."

Constance gave an imperious sniff.

"Naturally," she said. "He's a Davenport."

She wasn't incognito today. No shades or dark clothes, no sitting in the shadows. Constance was her usual bright, fabulous, and unapologetic self. She fairly radiated with howproud she was of Hayden.

"My grandson has always been destined for greatness."

"On that, we can agree," Dr. Moorehouse said.

The two shared a nod, and then Constance looked to me.

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