Page 89 of Kiss Away Your Pain (Wounded Hearts 2)

“I said goodbye to Dom.” I’m a strange mixture of melancholy and freedom.

“Okay.” She gives me space.

“When I was with my dad, we talked like we’ve never talked before. Des, he has hundreds of my pictures in a scrapbook. He told me how sorry he was for not encouraging me. He told me he loved me. I never felt so seen by him.” My soul fills with peace as I think back to our conversation.

“Candi, that’s so great to hear.”

“And I ended up telling him about Enzo. He asked me if I loved him.” I take a breath, affirming what’s in my heart. “Des, I do. I love him.”

Her gasp lifts the tiny hairs at the nape of my neck. “Oh, Candi.” Soft joy sits in her voice.

“So, I came home, went through our photo album I made, went to his grave, took off his ring, and…and said goodbye.”

“Okay.” Permission sifts through her single word. Permission to feel anything and everything I was feeling.

“I feel like this whole time, Enzo’s put himself out there. Been vulnerable. Let me in. And, I couldn’t meet him, not all the way. But, I’m ready now. I’m ready to fight for him. But I have no ideahowto fight for him, what to do.”

“We’ll figure it out. Hmm. It’ll have to be some kind of grand gesture. Something that’ll let him know youareready.” Thrill threads through her gasp. “Oh, I have it. I know what to do!” Her excitement shrills through me, making me excited.

She tells me the plan. It’s brilliant…and I’m going to be mortified.

Destiny:We’re done with dinner. It’s about to start.

Me:I’m almost there. I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.

Destiny:; - )

The Uber driver drops me off at Stage 2. Thankfully, someone’s on stage singing. I scoot into the bathroom, not sure if I’m going to pass out or vomit…or both. Thankfully I don’t do either. I wet my hands and spritz water onto my face, tapping my chest with the last droplets on my palms, glancing at the spot where Dom’s ring used to hang. I smile. My soul at peace.

That peace is the calm before the storm. I’m a nervous mess. But, I’m gonna do it.

I exit the bathroom and sneak down to the platform, hugging close to the line of people facing the stage. The person singing finishes and walks down the steps off the platform. I’m up next. Trepidation moving me slowly, I walk up each step, my heart frenzied.

“Hi. What’s your name?” the DJ asks when I reach him in the center of the stage.

I lean forward, putting my mouth close to the microphone. “Hi. I’m Candi.” My voice echoes as a high-pitched screech flashes through the room.

“Ooooo.” The crowd cries out in unison, holding their ears.

The DJ chuckles, pulling the microphone away from me. “A little too close.” He smiles politely. “First time?”

I grit my teeth and pull back my lips into what I’m sure looks like a petrified smile.

“You’re gonna do great. What song are you singing tonight?” he asks.

That’s when I see Enzo, Nicco, and Destiny weaving through the small crowd. My heart pounds faster. I move the microphone away from my mouth and whisper in his ear.

“Here we go,” he says with a dip of his head and hands me the microphone, gesturing where to hold it.

Yup, here we go.Music toHerofills the room. As I read the lyrics on the screen, I change them.

Locking eyes with Enzo, I start singing. “Will you be my hero?” My vocal cords vibrate. “Will you dance, with me every night? Will you run, every day by my side?” Tone-deaf sounds attack the air. “Will you hold me, when I break down and cry? Will you save my soul tonight?” Missing every note, my voice struggles as he gazes at me, shaking his head and rubbing his smile with a curled finger. The microphone shakes in my hand as I watch him stepping toward me, people parting to let him through. Feeling like a fool, I let a small laugh slip out of me. The crowd cheers in encouragement. “You make me tremble, when you touch my lips. You make me laugh, I’m telling you this.”

His lips pull into a tight smile, stretching his cheeks as he moves toward me.

My voice continues its assault on the crowd. “I would die, for the one I love. I want to be in your arms tonight.” I sway my body, grabbing the microphone with both hands like I’m the lead singer in a sold-out stadium. “You are my hero, baby. You have kissed away my pain. Will you stand by me forever? You have taken my breath away.”

I turn toward him as he steps onto the stage. He joins me and takes the microphone, continuing the song with the correct lyrics and perfect pitch. Facing me, he holds my hand, looking deep into my eyes. The room fades around us as he sings to my heart, affection rushing the warm air between us.

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