Lauren ducked into the room and shut off the lights, flipping on the white Christmas lights. Drew’s guests pressed themselves to the walls until they heard Lola’s voice from the lobby.
“Lauren?” Her steps echoed off the wood. “Your message said one of your instructors called in sick tonight. I can fill in just this once, but I don’t know how long I’ll be in…” Her words cut off as she stepped into the room, taking in the people she loved. “What’s going on?” Her eyes drifted down, seeing the rose petals leading her toward the center of the room.
“Follow them,” Penny whisper-hissed.
Lola took a tentative step forward and then another, not stopping until she stood where the petals ended. A single spotlight Drew had hung from the ceiling switched on, bathing Lola in light.
“She looks like an angel,” Drew whispered. Only Nora was close enough to hear him, and she snort-laughed.
“You’re up, cowboy.” Nora nudged him.
She was right. Lola shielded her eyes to peer at the ceiling, probably wondering where the spotlight came from.
Drew stepped from the shadows, waiting for Lola to turn to him. When she did, a smile graced her lips.
“You’re here,” she breathed.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
He heard an ‘aww’ from his left, and he thought it was his mom.
Lola scanned the room. “What’s everyone doing here?” When her eyes met his again, her smile grew. “My birthday was last month.”
He remembered. He’d had the entire audience in Phoenix sing to her. Taking a step toward her, he let one corner of his mouth curve up. “Did you really think I wouldn’t come back here with you?”
“But the meetings… you said…”
“No meeting is as important as you.”
Her face flushed. “Drew…”
“Sweetheart, I think it’s time I did the talking.” He stepped closer so there was barely any space between them and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips.
“That’s not talking,” she whispered.
“No, Lola, that was courage.”
“You have never needed a courage boost a day in your life.”
He smiled as he watched her, the girl who’d turned his entire world upside down. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Her eyes flicked to their waiting families. He could tell she was uncomfortable with the familiar audience.
He couldn’t stop now. Lifting one hand, he traced the curve of her jaw to the hollow of her throat, pausing to feel her pulse. “I love you more than yesterday, Lola Ramirez. And tomorrow I’m going to love you more than I do today.”
Tears glistened in her eyes. “How do you know that?”
“Because the kinds of things I feel for you don’t fade away. They expand, bulldozing over doubts and fears. I broke all my rules for you, but I don’t want to do that anymore.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t want there to be any more rules. With us anything is possible.”
She nodded and reached for him, but he stepped back to keep her from pulling him close. He wasn’t ready yet.
“I can’t count the number of times I have asked you to dance we me.”
“And I’ve always said yes.”
He smiled at that before lowering himself to one knee.
Lola’s eyes widened. “What are you doing?”
“I’m asking you, one more time, to dance with me, Lola Ramirez. Dance with me forever.”
“I thought he was supposed to ask her to marry him.” Lizzy’s voice came from behind them seconds before everyone laughed.
Lola’s body shook with laughter as tears fell from her eyes.
“I should have known,” she started. “That first time I said yes. I should have known I’d be saying yes to you over and over.” She reached down, her fingers skimming over his cheek and under his chin. “The answer to that question will always be yes.” She pulled him up, fitting her lips to his.
Drew sighed into the kiss, her answer finally registering. She’d said yes.
She laughed, pulling her lips from his. “Drew Ramirez. That sounds really good.”
“Honey, I’ll take whatever name as long as it comes with you.”
His sisters ran toward them first, but the rest weren’t far behind in their congratulations. Lola had already been a part of his family in their eyes, but now it was more real.
Whatever this crazy life he lived threw at them, they’d survive it.
Drew pulled Lola to him, bending so his lips grazed her ear. “I want my dance.”
“What?” Her smiling eyes met his.
“I asked you to dance, and I expect you to deliver.”
“Forever is a long time to keep moving, Drew. You won’t be able to keep up.”
“Try me.”
Their families cleared the center of the room, and Drew held out a hand to Lola.
She set hers in it like she’d done so many times before.
But this wasn’t like before.
It was the start of something else.
The music began, and he danced with Lola like it was both the first and last time.
The people they loved joined in. His parents waltzed across the dance floor despite it definitely not being a waltzing song. Asher dipped Brooke, bringing her back up for a kiss.
Mrs. Ramirez and Lauren danced with Nora, Penny, and Lizzy.
And Drew could see it. The rest of his life.
She stood right in front of him.
Next up, will Noah get his happily ever after? Find out in Love is a Harmony!
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About Michelle
Michelle MacQueen is a USA Today bestselling author of love. Yes, love. Whether it be YA romance, NA romance, or fantasy romance (Under M. Lynn), she loves to make readers swoon.
The great loves of her life to this point are two tiny blond creatures who call her “aunt” and proclaim her books to be “boring books” for their lack of pictures. Yet, somehow, she still manages to love them more than chocolate.
When she’s not being terrorized by her niece and nephew, Michelle is usually lounging in her ridiculously large bean bag chair creating worlds and characters that remind her to smile every day.
Want to see more books by Michelle? You can view them here: michellelynnauthor.com/macqueenbooks
Love is a Dance Step (Rockstars Anonymous) Page 26
