Page 30 of True Stars Collide

“Oh, you want the words? I love you, Liam Jones. Now kiss me and take me up to my room. I need to get out of this excuse for a dress.”

His eyes lit up and he pressed a quick kiss against her lips. “Oh, love, I’ll get you out of that dress alright. Just tell me where to go.”

He stood, swept her up in his arms, and strode out of the bar toward her room.

And the rest of their lives.

EPILOGUE

October,

PNC Arena,

Raleigh, North Carolina

Liam shoved his hair back from his face and exhaled an unsteady breath. He grabbed the bottle of Cristal and two champagne flutes he’d stashed offstage. It was time for Black Velvet Machine’s encore, and they were stoking the audience’s fever by waiting another minute before returning to the stage.

They closed every show with an acoustic version of True Stars Collide, the duet he’d written for Zoe all those months ago. But tonight was special.

They were in Raleigh, Zoe’s hometown, and her mom was in the VIP section backstage with all the band’s friends and family. Yeah, he’d survived meeting Zoe’s mother and even enjoyed the strong, sweet woman who’d created the love of his life. Seeing them together restored a little faith that there were healthy parent/child relationships in the world.

“Let’s go, babe. Ready for our song?” Zoe stroked one slender hand down his arm.

His heart tugged in his chest, and he captured her gorgeous mouth in a quick hot kiss.

“Since it’s your hometown, let me introduce the song. And I got us something special for it.” He gestured with the bottle toward the stage. “Let’s do it, darling.”

“I like your style. Follow me.” She grinned and sauntered out to the deafening applause of the arena.

The arena was dark except for the spotlight on him and Zoe.

Liam raised the bottle overhead and called out, “You having a good time tonight, Raleigh?”

Cheers and screams greeted them, and he waited until they quieted.

He gazed down at Zoe, drinking in her smiling face and vibrating energy. “So if you all have been around a while, you know I’m not much of a singer. Back-up vocals, yeah, but a duet or a lead? Nah.”

“We love you anyway!” A rabid fan screamed from the front row.

Liam’s lips quirked. “Thank you. I promise not to sing much. Except for this song. Last summer, when I met this talented woman right here, my entire life transformed. I wasn’t one of those blokes who believed in soul mates or any of that love stuff.

“I wrote this duet because Zoe is the perfect woman for me. She’s my North Star. She’s the strongest, most authentic person I’ve ever met. Not to mention an incredible singer and rockstar, and gorgeous inside and out. I don’t know how I got so lucky for her to choose a jerk like me but I’m not stupid so I’m never letting her go. Will you toast to forever with us?”

He popped the champagne cork and the audience cheered. Zoe stepped into his arms, her golden eyes glistening with tears. “I love you,” she whispered and accepted the overflowing glass of champagne.

“You ready?”

Affirmative cheers and applause filled the concert venue. He tossed back his champagne, threw the empty glass over his shoulder, and strummed the opening chords on his guitar. Zoe followed suit, then stepped in closer to him, the lights gleaming off her shiny blue-black hair. With one hand on his shoulder, she began to sing.

Together, they nailed the duet and exited the stage in a cloud of exhilaration and applause.

* * *

Zoe flopped into the back of the limo and waited for Liam to join her. Who knew her husband had such a romantic streak? Declaring they were soul mates to twenty-thousand screaming fans. With her mom watching? Her mom and Liam had instantly bonded. She hugged her arms around her waist and savored her happiness.

He slid in next to her and yanked the door closed.

“Where’s everyone else? And isn’t my mom riding with us to the after-party?”

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