Page 145 of Fauxmance

Hayden shook his head. "Pretty sure everyone wants a piece of Santino. He's still over there, you know. Signing anything they ask him to. Posters, shoes, forehead, doesn't matter."

"Some of those fans are bound to be beautiful."

"No one's as beautiful as you."

"Honestly, I wouldn't blame you if you dumped me."

I'd said it as a joke, but the serious look that overtook Hayden's face was alarming.

"Maggie," he said.

"I was just kidding," I said, forcing a laugh. "Please don't break up with me."

"There was something I wanted to ask you."

Uh oh.

"I've been thinking about it for a while now," he said, stepping back and putting some space between us. "With everything that's happened with the band, I wanted to make sure you know how serious I am about our relationship. So…"

As he got down on one knee and brought a small box out of his pocket, my eyes widened.

"Hayden," I breathed. "What are you—"

He flipped open the box…and there, sitting in the little space where a ring would be…was a tiny double decker bus.

"Magnolia Wilhelmina Mills, will you go on tour with me?" he said.

The grin that lit his face as my eyes met his was full of mischief.

"Oh my God," I said. "I can't believe you!"

"What?" he said innocently. "Did you think I was going to say something else?"

It was such a Hayden thing to do.

I couldn't hold back a laugh.

"Okay, Maggie, trying not to be discouraged by the laughter. I'm still waiting for an answer."

Rolling my eyes, I said, "Of course, I'll come—as long as it doesn't interfere with school."

"It won't," he said. "I checked your college schedule against the tour dates. You should be back in plenty of time."

He held up the box again.

"So? Is that a yes?"

"How could I say no to such a heart-stopping proposal?" I said, and when he kept staring, I added, "Yes! I'll go on tour with you, Hayden Bartholomew!"

Hayden whooped, picked me up and spun me around once before setting me back on my feet.

"Thanks for almost giving me a heart attack by the way," I laughed.

Hayden chuckled as well. "Ah, Magnolia Wilhelmina. You wound me."

I put my arms around his neck, tugging him closer, while his hands went to grip my waist.

"Would marrying me really be so bad?"

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