Page 90 of Dreaming About Forever

“I love you too,” she whispered back.

Everything was changing so fast, but some changes were for the better. With God between them, they were stronger than ever.

EPILOGUE

ALICIA

One year later

Alicia held onto Jordan’s hand as they walked through the back entrance of the arena. The roar of the crowd echoed through the hallways, but the fans weren’t here to see her.

“I can’t believe I’m going to see the Kings play the Nightcrawlers!” Caroline’s high, squealing voice overpowered the cheering from the arena.

“I think we should go to games more often,” Levi said as he lifted Ruby’s hand to his lips.

Ruby laughed and rubbed a hand protectively over her rounded belly. “I doubt there will be many hockey games in our future.”

Levi shrugged. “Maybe we’ll be watching our boy play here someday.”

Ruby’s eyes widened. “I’m not going to think about the injury risks associated with that dream.”

Caroline covered her mouth to hide her laughter. “You two are as sweet as pie.”

A tall man dressed in black with the event center logo on the chest led the way down the gray stone hallway and gestured toward a door on the right.

Inside, Alicia was swept into a whirlwind of hair and makeup. Ruby, Levi, and Caroline chatted on a sectional sofa as Jordan kept his place beside her.

“You can hang out with them if you want. This has to be boring,” Alicia said as she shooed him toward their friends.

“We’ll have plenty of time to catch up this weekend,” Jordan said.

She hadn’t expected him to take her up on the suggestion, though she wished he would. They’d been on tour together for almost a year, and he’d barely left her side, even when he was off duty.

Neither of them had known what to expect on the road, but they’d handled it surprisingly well. Her fears that Jordan would get tired of the media onslaught and constant travel had been unfounded. He seemed happy to be with her.

It was a good thing because she couldn’t imagine the tour or her life without him beside her. She’d been on the road plenty of times before, but this one was different. Despite his tendency to stick to the sidelines, Jordan was an ever-present light in her days.

He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. “A penny for your thoughts?” he asked.

Oh, she had plenty right now, but one took center stage. “Just thinking about my next show.”

“It’ll be a big change,” he reminded her.

She’d signed a contract with The Mesa weeks ago. Her tour was over, and after her single song tonight, she’d be performing regularly in Redemption Ridge. The whole town was involved in the new partnership. Her concerts would benefit charities and local businesses, and Redemption Ridge would likely be a household name and one of the top family vacation destinations in the west. Most of the shows were already sold out.

“I have no regrets. I love what I do, but I know this is where the Lord is leading us.”

Lillian had been the first to suggest the new direction, and Jordan had been quick to back it, though he’d waited patiently for Alicia’s opinion first.

Making decisions with Jordan over the last year had been a learning experience. He always met her with honesty, and she gave him the same. She’d seen so many relationships crumble under the pressure of the industry, but having Jordan in her life only made things easier.

His lips lifted on one side, showcasing that handsome grin she loved. “I think so too. I’m proud of you.”

“For what?”

“For doing what you want. For not letting anyone pressure you into staying in the spotlight when you wanted something else. For standing up for what you believe in.”

Those had been some of the easiest decisions of her life. Leaving LA, moving to Redemption Ridge, and putting her music to work helping others had all come with a peace from the Lord. A new album was in the works, and she’d never been more excited about the direction of her career. It would be her first Christian album, and she’d already written three songs for another.

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