Page 175 of Forever To Me

And my Red?

She’s fighting a smile, but I see it, the way her eyes soften, the way she leans just a little closer when I sing the next verse.

By the time we hit the last chorus, she’s laughing into the mic, shaking her head like she can’t believe this is happening.

Neither can I.

Because this—singing with her, the whole bar watching, the people we love cheering us on—feels like one of those moments I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

The song ends, the crowd erupts, and Eli stands up, raising his glass. “I’ll be damned. You kids got some major chemistry.”

Mack points at us. “Y’all are gross.”

Caroline sighs, all dreamy-eyed. “They’re perfect.”

Violet groans, grabbing my wrist. “We’re leaving.”

I let her drag me outside, still laughing as the bar doors swing shut behind us. The air is cool and quiet, the only sound the distant hum of the Jukebox inside.

“You didn’t have to drag me out here,” I tease, tilting my head at her.

She turns, cheeks still flushed, eyes bright. And then, without a word, she grabs my shirt and pulls me down into akiss. It’s fast and hot and full of the kind of energy we had up on that stage, electric, breathless, like neither of us can quite believe we’re here.

When she finally pulls back, her lips are kiss-swollen, her breath uneven.

I smirk. “So, you like that? No concussions this time.”

She glares, but she's smiling. “Shut up.”

I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear, my voice turning softer. “I meant it, Red. I’m in this. With you.”

For a second, she doesn’t say anything. Just looks at me like she’s realizing something big.

Then, finally, she whispers, “Me too.”

And just like that, I know:

I’m never letting her go.

I’ve done a lot of things in my life.

Had a successful music career, became a dad, ran a bar. And now I've started a record label.

But standing in front of a damn horse, trying to figure out how to surprise my woman without making it weird, is somehow the most stressful thing I’ve ever done.

Stormy, the gray mare standing beside me, snorts loudly, like she’s already judging me.

I glare at her. “Don’t start.”

She flicks an ear, completely unimpressed.

Maggie, who stands behind me with Eli, Caroline, and Mack, lets out a dramatic sigh. “Walker, honey, you’re acting like you just bought an engagement ring, not a horse.”

Mack perks up immediately. “Wait. Is there a ring?”

Eli grins, crossing his arms. “Well, if you’re getting her a horse, a ring wouldn’t be far behind.”

Caroline nods. “It’s a logical next step.”

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