I was ear-to-ear smiles with a light heart—and a light head—as I turned to walk back to my table. Before I could leave, Kate touched my elbow and I looked back at her. “Hey, congratulations, Kellan. This really is…very cool.”

I nodded at Kate, grateful for her words…and for her accepting my favor. Kiera was going to love that steamy letter and who knows, Kate might like it too. She did share Kiera’s love of romance novels after all.

When I got back to my table, Kiera was waiting for me…with a large glass of water in her hand. I almost looked back at Kate, but Kiera didn’t seem curious so she must have missed the exchange. I didn’t want to spoil the surprise by clueing her in to the fact that something was being planned behind her back, so I ignored my partner-in-crime and reserved all my focus for my beautiful girlfriend.

“Drink this,” she said, handing the water to me.

I took a sip, grateful, then I set it on the table and pulled her into me. “Can I drink you instead?” I asked. That sounded by far more appealing than water or alcohol.

Kiera laughed, her eyes a calm shade of brown rimmed with green. She shook her head, then softly kissed my cheek, and I marveled at the fact that my skin still warmed with longing whenever her lips touched me. I hoped that never went away. I hoped she never went away.

But she did go away. For the moment, at least; she got called over by hungry customers at a nearby table while I got approached by even more people wanting to congratulate me. And I tried really hard to not let that split feel symbolic.

As more alcohol was handed to me, I became even more grateful for Kiera’s water, and for the fact that every time I turned around, it seemed to have somehow been refilled. It was so nice having someone take care of me. So foreign. So…welcome. I was really going to miss that.

Eventually, the rest of my band arrived at the bar. I knew the instant they did—the whole place went nuts. And it was packed, so the noise was substantial. I didn’t think I’d ever seen the bar this full this long before a show. It was heartwarming, and surreal, and it drilled through the numb of my buzz, making my chest ache. Especially when Pete came out of his office.

Pete had always looked a little worn to me, but tonight he seemed extra weary. He quieted the bar with raised hands while I made my way over to my friends. Pete’s eyes locked on me as he softly smiled. “Kellan…boys…you’ve done wonders for my little pub, and I’ll never forget that. If and when you return, you will always have a place here.”