Page 63 of The List of Things

“I do have a plan though... If you want free drinks. But you really have to go for it with me.”

“I’d probably agree to almost anything if it meant free drinks,” I admit.

“That’s concerning.”

I shrug with a smile on my lips. He leans back into his chair, spreading his legs, keeping his hand extended over my thigh. He still draws on my skin, back and forth in a comforting fashion.

A smirk rests on his lips, a drink in his hand too. He’s not irresponsible. I’m sure he’ll stop himself at one, just like I would if I was going to drive tonight. Good thing I’m not.

A few more people go on the stage, and I feel a leap of confidence push me forward. I leave Bellamy, and go to the MC, flipping through the books of karaoke tracks they have, deciding on a good one. I write down my name on the slip the MC gives me, and my song choice, and he takes it. I make my way back to Bellamy and wait for a few more songs before the MC calls my name over the loudspeaker.

“Get your acting chops ready,” I say.

The list specifically says*Go to a karaoke bar where I sing horribly, but you watch, and look at me like I’m the best in the world. He better stare at me the way I imagine or I’ll sing all night long until he does.

“I could say the same for you.”

I don’t understand his statement, but I ignore it because it’s my turn to take the stage. The backtrack to Wannabe by the Spice Girls starts, and I instantly put my entire heart and soul into this silly little song. Everyone in the crowd does exactly what they’ve done for everyone else, and starts clapping and joining in on the singing. I don’t feel as nervous as I thought I would singing in front of all these people, especially considering just how mediocre I am at singing. I look down at Bellamy as soon as the chorus starts, and he looks at me like there truly isn’t anyone else here, no distraction in his eyes. I hesitate the minute I see his stare.

“Keep going!” He motions with his hands and mouths the words to me so I do.

He crosses his arms over his chest, leaning back into the chair he sits in, looking as good as ever as he smiles at me. He really smiles, his lips curling around his teeth as he shakes his head, a laugh blooming from his chest.

He covers his face as I point at him, singing the words to the song, and I feel my chest warm up as he does. His smile is doing something to me that I can’t tell if I like or not. I keep singing, wishing I might have picked another song because of this stupid rap, but glad Bellamy always understands the assignment when it comes to this list. He hasn’t slipped up once.

I put the mic back on the stand as soon as the song ends, and I watch as Bellamy stands, clapping his hands. I start to move toward the lip of the stage to exit, but Bellamy surprises me, joining me on the stage. Confusion is an understatement. I look to the side at him, stepping back as he steps up to the mic, bending down to it considering I adjusted it for my height. He waves to everyone who has now gone silent.

“Um... Hello,” He waves, and silence is still washed over the once loud bar. “This is my girlfriend Kamryn... I’ve been dating her for four years now... We’re high school sweethearts... Give her a hand,” He motions behind him toward me, and I have never been so confused in my life but I smile at the cheering from the crowd.

He just blatantly lied, and he looked really good while doing it.

“She’s pretty, isn’t she? Can I ask all of you for a moment with her... She loves karaoke, and she also loves me, and I love her, so I figured this would be the perfect place for this. Is that okay?” He asks, and I’m not only confused but instantly nervous.

Him saying it, saying he loved me did something to my stomach, and now my ears are ringing. All of this is some joke, he’s playing everyone, but it sounded… The crowd cheers, and Bellamy pulls the mic from the stand and puts it behind his back so he can lean into me, his lips against my ear.

“What are you doing?” I whisper first and feel his lips curl into a smile.

“I told you to just go with it. You trust me don’t you?”

“Always.”

He backs away, completely shocking me as he gets on one knee right in front of me. I don’t hesitate to cover my mouth with both of my hands, genuinely shocked at this moment. I know he’s joking. Everything is clicking in my head. Fake proposal, free drinks. Bellamy Archer is not only hot, but he’s also a fucking genius. Everyone around us is cheering and whistling now, excited as Bellamy brings the mic back to his lips, his eyes locked on mine.

“Kamryn Hart, you always know how to have fun, and to just go with it. You never back down from a challenge, and you really have put up with far too much of my shit already in what feels like the short time we've been dating,” He winks at me, and I laugh, watching as he reaches into his pocket.

Confusion washes over me again when he really does pull out a ring, it’s not an engagement ring obviously. But it is pretty, dainty, and small. The tiny jewel is an amber color, it almost looks like a cat eye.

“Will you marry me?” He asks, and I nod, pretending to be awestruck by him. Everyone screams, and Bellamy stands up, wrapping me in a hug that could probably win him an Oscar. What a performance.

“You have a fuck ton of explaining to do,” I whisper in his ear as he hugs me, and I can feel a rumble of laughter as I’m pressed to his chest.

“I’m very aware,” He slowly lets me slide away from him.

He leans down, kissing me softly, and we move from the stage. There’s chatter throughout the entire place, and I can’t help but notice all their eyes on us. He doesn’t let his hand slide from my side as we get back to our table. The second we sit down a waiter approaches with two drinks.

“A couple at the bar sent these over.”

I smile, taking the drink.Absolute genius.

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