Page 66 of New Year's Faye

Has been begging you to see

That maybe we could be

Everything we're just pretending….

Maybe it's not enough to watch you anymore

Maybe we could be something more

Maybe that’ll be enough.”

The final note faded. The crowd erupted.

And I couldn't look away from Faye.

She didn't run.

She didn't hide.

She just stood there, watching me with a look I’d never seen before—a mix of nerves and something softer, something vulnerable.

That’s when I knew she’d been listening to every word, that she’d heard the confession woven through every line, everychord. My heart pounded as I took her in, every detail crystal clear against the darkened backdrop of the crowd.

There was something new in her eyes, something raw and unguarded, and it took me a moment to realize that she was looking at me like shesawme—really saw me. Her look sent a jolt of electricity through me, made my breath catch in a way I wasn’t prepared for. I’d laid myself bare tonight, letting her hear every hidden piece of my heart, and now… now, she was looking at me like she understood.

Like maybe she felt it too.

She held out her hand, a smile I'd never seen before—part nerves, part determined, all Faye.

I handed my guitar to a waiting tech and crossed to her, heart in my throat.

"Faye, I?—"

"Shut up." She grabbed my hand. "Come with me.”

Confused and hurting, I did exactly as she asked.

14

FAYE

PRESENTATION EXECUTION PROTOCOL

Priority Level: LIFE-CHANGING

Status: TERRIFIED BUT DETERMINED

FINAL CHECKLIST:

? Laptop fully charged

? Backup drive secured

?40 44 43 48 5152slides perfected

? Real estate analysis updated

? Breathing exercises completed

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