Page 92 of A Love Song for Dreamers

Tyler kisses me, and it’s everything—we’reeverything.

A throat clearing has me pulling back before I can do something about it—Miranda.

Elle’s devouring a sandwich, eyes glued to the stage, and even our funder looksentertained.

“If you’ll excuse me, I have some calls to make about marketing. This”—Jeffrey nods to us—“I cansell.”

My stomach flips as I take Tyler in again, the rest of the room fallingaway.

There’s a tic in his jaw, and he looks hesitant for the first time since he got here. “The ring I gave you—do you still haveit?”

I reach into my neckline and pull out the chain, the ring I’ve been wearing since I returned to New York dangling on theend.

“That’s from our past. I have something to give you for our future. And I want a future with you. I even talked to your dad aboutit.”

So that’s why Dad was acting so weird on the phone. “I bet that wasinteresting.”

Tyler chuckles softly. “I told him I’m never letting you go again, and if he has a problem with it, he can go throughme.”

He reaches into his pocket and produces abox.

My heart hammers against my back, and I’m feelinglightheaded.

Then hekneels.

I’ve always felt at my most powerful and powerless on a stage, but this moment with Tyler Adams on his knees for me puts every other moment toshame.

“Annie, you’ve always been the best part of my life. Even when I tried not to let you in, you were there. So bright, so damned fresh, and you believed in me when no one did. When Ididn’t.”

His beautiful voice cracks, and I’m trembling from his words, from anticipation of what he’ll saynext.

“I might have come from nothing, but I’ve been around the damned world. Which means I can say without a doubt that you are the best part of it, Six. I know we both have dreams, but mine aren’t worth living unless I can live them withyou.”

He flips the lid on the box, and the sparkling contents almost blindme.

“I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you. I will do whatever it takes to convince you to spend your life withme.

“I’ll trade you. The old ring for a newone.”

It’s gorgeous, reflecting every bit of light in this space, shining every emotion in his eyes back atme.

“No.”

Tyler’s face tightens in alarm. “Nowhat?”

I rush on. “No, I won’t give you the old ring back. Because our past is part ofus.

“But you’re my best friend. The only boy I ever loved. The person who challenges me, who‘s there for me, who makes me feel like I am everything I ever need to be. So I guess I could marryyou.”

Tyler’s face is so full of fierceness I couldexplode.

He slips the ring onto my finger, and it feels likeforever.

Then he rises, grabbing me again in a kiss that’s hot enough I might melt onto thisstage.

“Jewelrywhore!”

I reluctantly tear my lips from Tyler’s and cut a look toward Elle in theaudience.

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