Page 148 of Drama Queens Don't Fall For Charming Boys

When Declan and I are finally free, he takes my hand and we climb onto the stage. We glance out into the audience. Tonight was amazing, and sure, maybe Mom’s right that the reason I performed so well was because of my special guy. It’s sad that he won’t be here next year, but we’re determined to make long distance work. Because now that I have him, I refuse to lose him.

He smiles at me. “We’ve come a long way, haven’t we?”

“A long, long way. Can you believe we hated each other only a few weeks ago?”

“Yeah, crazy.” He stares out at the audience again. “I’m going to miss this. Live theater. There’s nothing else quite like it. When the audience is engaged and when they laugh and clap, it’s the most rewarding feeling in the world.”

“You really do shine on stage. The spotlight loves you.”

He laughs. “I think it loves you more.”

“Maybe it loves us equally.”

He takes my hands. “You know, I was thinking I might want to do theater as well. My focus will be on TV and movies, but I might want to star in a play every now and then.”

I pull him close and press my lips to his. “I think that’s perfect. You know I’ll support you in whatever you do.”

He places his hand on the back of my head and slowly, savoring every second, closes his lips over mine. I know we’re on stage and everyone can see us, but I don’t really care. The world needs to know that he’s mine and I’m his and that’s how it’ll be for the rest of our lives.

Now that Declan and I are officially together, social media has gone crazy. Videos of us doing simple things like walking down the school hallway have gone viral. We’ll need to be careful when we go out in public, but that’s okay. Because we have each other, and that’s all that matters.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Mia

A few weeks later

“Five minutes, Mia!” Mom calls.

I spin around before my bedroom mirror and smile at my reflection. I’m wearing a wine-colored dress that poofs out at the bottom, which makes me look really cute, if I do say so myself. Mom helped me pin up my hair in a way that makes me look so pretty.

“Mia, three minutes! I don’t want to be late to my best friend’s daughter’s engagement party.”

“Coming!” I call back.

I spin one more time and then hurry downstairs, where Mom and Dad wait at the door. Dad looks so dashing in his suit, and Mom—who hates wearing dresses—looks so stunning in her long green dress. Her hair is pinned up just like mine.

Mom’s eyes soften as she takes me in, and I swear I see tears gathering at the corners. “Oh, Mia. When did you grow up so fast?” She hugs me, though we’re both careful not to ruin our hair and makeup.

“My turn.” Dad is also careful as he hugs me. “My beautiful, wonderful daughter.”

Mom’s phone beeps and she glances at the screen. “It’s Willow. She and Colt are almost at the Knight’s.”

All the Junior Musketeers are flying in for Lily and Xavier’s engagement party, and I can’t wait to see them. Easton and Dani Knight are hosting the event at their mansion.

The three of us pile into the car and head to the Knight’s. I spend the ride texting Declan. He and Chase are on their way to pick up Miss Lane. Ugh, how can I miss him this much? We’ve been literally spending every second together, whether alone or with my Musketeers and their guys. Will I ever get bored of him? I bet I won’t. I can’t imagine ever getting bored of that amazing guy.

When we reach the huge mansion, a valet takes the car and a staff member opens the door, taking our jackets. There is classical music playing from the ballroom. I follow Mom and Dad over there and find quite a few guests already gathered inside.

“There they are!” Mom points to the center of the room, where Lily and Xavier stand side by side, huge smiles on their faces. Wow, Lily looks so gorgeous in her golden dress and fancy updo, and Xavier looks like he dropped out of a Regency novel. Ally, Zack, and Kade stand there as well, along with Xavier’s mom and his stepdad, Matt. His grandpa sits near them on a chair.

Lily’s eyes snap in our direction as we approach, and a huge smile takes over her face. She laughs when Mom grabs her and Xavier and hugs the crap out of them, thanking us for coming. Dad and I hug them, as well as Ally, Zack, Xavier’s mom, and his stepdad.

And of course we hug and say congratulations to Spencer. He looks so happy and at peace, like this is the most joyous day of his life. His eyes are glassy as he looks at his grandson and future granddaughter-in-law with nothing but love. It hurts my heart that he might not be here in a few years. But this isn’t the time to be sad—it’s the time to celebrate this wonderful occasion.

“Hey, Kade,” I greet. “You look so fine in that dress shirt.”

“Thanks. You look great, too.”

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