Grady chuckles, “Ah, no. But we did it a second time at his talent show. Didn’t win then, either, but that’s okay. The violin rules high school talent shows—if you’re wondering.”

Laughs.

“Tonight is my first date with Marina Ann Strange… Marnie, as you know her,” he announces amid clapping and cooing. “You might also be aware that a few months ago she…”

He pauses, playing a familiar chord on the piano, before singing, “She had a bad day,” from the Daniel Powter song of the same name. “She had a bad day.”

Everyone laughs and claps because my ‘bad day’ is well-known in these parts.

“But I want her to know that… here comes the sun,” he sings, “and I say, it’s alright...”

More laughs and cheers at the familiar Beatles song before Luke’s guitar riff fades, and Grady speaks again. “Marina, you said to let you know when I’m sure… I’m sure… This is for you. Thanks for saying yes.”

My heart leaps from my chest and does fifty somersaults as I stumble, rising from my chair. His hands dance over the keys, moving me closer on weak knees. The familiar notes tickle my heart. “Romeo and Juliet” by Dire Straits, a sweet oldie that I’d know anywhere since the CD sits in my AM collection at home.

I am awestruck—Grady Tripp can sing!

“You and me, babe… how ‘bout it?” he croons, low and husky, looking straight at me. Luke’s guitar picks up the riff, but I can’t take my eyes off Grady and the sly smirk planted on his face. He’s so proud, so comfortable, so sweetly happy. “Juliet…”

Can someone overdose on romance? If so, I might be in serious trouble. I bounce on my feet, giddy with it. Hyper on it. Desperate for him.

A crowd gathers around the stage, moving tables aside, especially as the song picks up its pace. But I stand just below him, devouring him, aching for him.

I’ve never felt more loved or special. Not only that, I’ve never felt so worthy of feeling loved and special, either. He makes me want to be seen, heard, regarded, valued, loved, and admired, revered and feared, pirate-like—all I’ve missed in my before life. This is after. My happily ever? I don’t know. But certainly, with the wreckage cleared and finding each other through the losses, he’s the closest I’ll get to one.

“I love you like the stars above, love you til I die… Juliet,” he sings, and I melt. “You and me, babe. How ‘bout it?”