Page 190 of On The Rocks

The lyrics spoke of a fire that destroyed and rebuilt. Of love lost and found in the ashes. As the song built, Griffin swapped to a gorgeous electric guitar in shimmering dark purple. The mix of acoustic and electric built until Marc’s voice lifted up into the night like a call to the Universe.

The song was fast-paced, and they were all breathing heavy at the end.

Marc bent forward and tapped his cane on the stage. It was a light beat that finally turned to a pounding as it changed to a new song.

To “This Old Tattoo” which was one of my own favorites offMorning Pages.

The whole crowd sang it back to them, me included.

When the last notes ended, the lights went down, and the guys scattered back to their regular spaces.

Their biggest hit, “Fragile Lines”, started in the dark and then the full overhead rig of lights flashed on as well as the ones on the edge of the stage until it was a wall of sound. Bridger was back behind the drum kit, and he played the shit out of it along with the guys.

I was so proud I didn’t know what to do with myself.

I just laughed and sang with the crowd, feeling in love and alive.

The end of the song lengthened, and Griffin came out center stage as the guys brought the instruments down.

“Lenny, I got a question for you.”

The spotlight swung out into the crowd until it centered on me.

“No, you aren’t,” I shouted.

“Darlin’. I am not taking no for an answer.”

“You still haven’t asked,” I shouted back.

He ran off the stage and down the stairs and into the crowd.

I couldn’t stop laughing and the tears came with it.

The crowd parted and people had their phones out to mark the moment. They fanned out around us, leaving us in a tiny circle.

I ignored all of the phones, and the ridiculously hot light as he pulled me close. “Lennon Hathaway, marry me.”

“Still not a question.”

The crowd booed him playfully.

He set me back enough to get down on one knee and popped a box open. The diamond inside made everyone inside gasp, including me. “Lennon Hathaway, will you marry me?”

I folded my arms across my chest. “Hmm.”

The crowd was delighted and then I threw myself into his arms. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

He wrapped his arms around me, trapping me against his chest. And the kiss was as perfect as the night. “I love you so damn much.”

“I love you too.” My hand shook as I held it out for the ring, and it slid perfectly over my knuckle. The diamond winked under the white light.

He gave me another kiss, then he glanced over his shoulder at his band who were making kissy faces.

The rest of the acts poured onto the stage and the well-known start of “Come Together” poured off the stage.

It slid quickly into a very layered, rockstar version.

“I gotta go to work,” he said into my ear.

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