Page 67 of Flirting with the Scrooge

A giggle bubbles out of me as his chest rumbles beneath my cheek.

“I hate to burst this bubble we have, but what is your plan? Are you staying a few days longer and then we have to say goodbye again or—”

With his finger he lifts my chin, forcing me to look at him. “I’ve never met anyone so strong and determined. Someone who pushes my buttons, but also pushes me. You’re so beautiful inside and out. I strive to be a better person, a better man, for you. I love you. I love you so fucking much and I would be a fool to let that go. So, to answer your question, I’m not sure, but I’ll figure it out. But I’m here to stay. I want to be with you, and I’ll do anything and everything to make that happen.”

“Aww. The grump doesn’t have a heart made of coal after all.”

In one swift motion, he flips me over so I’m on my back. I squeal out in half surprise and half laughter. Then he’s hovering over me, his lips inches away from mine. “I pour my heart out to you and that’s all I get.”

“I love you. I love you so much. And whatever comes next… we got this. Together.”

“Together.” He leans down and kisses me. “I love you, Tinsel.”

EPILOGUE

NINE MONTHS LATER

Tatum

I scream out Connor’s name along with the rest of the crowd. The only difference is Connor tilts his head my way. The mic grazes his lips as he sings and gives me a wink. Swoon. I’m pretty sure my ovaries exploded for the tenth time in the past hour. Since Onyx Stone played at Porter’s years ago, Connor convinced the band to play a small invite only party. Except it blew up into a large outdoor event in the parking lot of Porter’s.

After Christmas, Connor stayed with me until New Year’s when he had to get back to LA or they were going to kick him out of the band. We spent all of our down time talking, FaceTiming, and texting. He flew me out to LA practically one weekend a month and he was flying back to Harbor Highlands two weeks after that. One weekend while in Minnesota, he got an idea to buy an old cathedral and convert it into a music studio. As soon as he mentioned it to the rest of the band, they were all on board. Trey hooked him up and got him a great deal on the old building. While he didn’t have a lot of time to assist in the remodel, I always FaceTimed him to keep him updated on the progress.

The band knocked out a new album and instantly they hit number one on the charts with their single “Road To You.” Because of their success, they were able to convince the label to record at their own studio. When the band isn’t using the space, Connor hired a manager to rent out the building to local musicians and even started a music center for kids. He said music changed his life, so he wants to make sure kids have the opportunity for music to do the same for them.

For the past month he’s been home. Yes, my home is now his home, but soon he’ll be gone for a year-long tour. Tonight is essentially the kickoff to the tour even though this show is more for fun. Next to me stands Nate, holding a Gibson Les Paul guitar signed by the band. Before the kickoff of the new tour, Connor asked me to find him at Roasters and pass along a backstage pass to the show at Porter’s as a thank you for letting him borrow his guitar at the open mic night. Glancing over, I’ve never seen a bigger grin than the one plastered on Nate’s face right now.

“How about I get my girl on stage with me? What do you say?” Connor's gaze shifts my way. The crowd erupts in screams. All my friends clap from behind me. Olivia and Parisa push me from our roped off area at the side of the stage. A roadie brings out a stool and hands it to Connor. He places it down next to him and pats the seat. Sheepishly, I stroll out onto the stage. I’m not the talent. There’s no reason for me to be out here, but Connor’s boyish grin draws me in.

When we’re standing toe to toe, he kisses me and then whispers in my ear, “Love you, Tinsel.” Before I can say anything, he’s addressing the crowd. “So, when I first met this beautiful woman, she wanted me to play a country song. Can you believe that? Country.” The crowd boos and gives me the thumbs down.

I burst out laughing, then I steal the microphone from him and say, “In my defense, I didn’t know he was the lead singer of Onyx Stone!” The crowd roars when I mention the band’s name.

Connor snatches the microphone back. “So, since I wasn’t going to play her favorite country song, I wrote a song for her instead. This is Road to You.”

He directs me to sit on the stool next to him and I do so without question. I’ve heard this song over a million times now, either on the radio or on my own playlist, and I still get goosebumps. Right now is no exception. How can I not? He wrote a song for me. Even as he stands in front of a crowd of hundreds of people, every emotion he has for me is evident in his facial features. All I want to do is jump up from this stool and kiss the hell out of him.

Between verses, he moves to stand in front of me and we lock gazes. He mouths “I love you” and I do the same. Then he faces the crowd and continues with the rest of the song. When he’s done, the crowd erupts with screams and hollers. A roadie runs out on the stage and takes his guitar and he flips a switch on the microphone. Slowly, he turns his attention to me, a sexy half smirk on his face. When he’s standing in front of me, he runs his hands up my jean covered thighs and stops when he reaches near the bottom of my pockets.

Softly, so only I can hear, he says, “Life is full of uncertainties, but there’s one thing I’m certain of… Us.” He steps backward and reaches into his pocket. My heart hammers in my chest. He’s not about to do what I think he is. Is he? My breaths become shallow as he bends down on one knee. Cheers and clapping sounds from the crowd, while my friends scream from behind me. His eyes meet mine. “Marry me.”

I stop breathing. Everything around me goes silent. It’s a question he doesn’t even need to ask because he already knows the answer. My lips split into a wide grin and I nod. “Yes!”

He slides the ring on my finger. As he rises to his feet, he wraps his arms around me and lifts. I clasp my hands on his cheeks. His full beard is gone, but the stubble pricks my fingers and I press my lips to his. Even with hundreds of people around us, we’re the only ones on stage. There’s no better place to be than wrapped in his arms. After what feels like only seconds, he sets me on my feet. With his arm still around my waist, he holds me tight as he grabs the microphone stand, flips a switch, and brings it to his mouth. “If you didn’t know, she said yes. You all witnessed it. She can’t take it back now.”

I throw my head back in laughter, then wrap my arms around his neck and stare up into his eyes. “All my roads lead to you.”

He releases the microphone and curls his fingers around the back of my neck. “And my road ends with you.” Then his lips are on mine, sweet and tender. The crowd erupts in claps and screams, but it all fades away as my soon to be husband holds me in his arms.

Road To You

The streets are full of people

But it’s still a lonely place

When the sky is dark and gray

The light carries me to you

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