After gathering his children, he told me, “It was so nice finally meeting you, Kellan. I hope we can see each other again soon?” By the way he raised his eyebrow, I could tell he wanted an invitation. And I wanted to give him one.

“Want to…have breakfast tomorrow?”

I was actually a little nervous waiting for his response…I had no idea why. He instantly grinned and nodded. “That would be wonderful.”

He reached out and hugged me then, and I instinctively stiffened. It was weird to have him hug me. The feeling faded, and I wanted to hug him back, but he was already gone. I settled for hugging Hailey instead. And then I gave Riley a one-armed squeeze. I grinned uncontrollably as they left the bar.

Kiera came up to me a second later. “Did your dad just leave?”

Wrapping my arms around her, I nodded. “Yeah, but we’re meeting for breakfast tomorrow.”

She grinned as she laced her arms around my neck. “Good, I’m glad.” Tilting her head, she bit her lip for a moment. “How are you?” she finally asked.

I inhaled a deep breath, taking stock of my emotions. All I felt was…relief. And happiness. So much happiness. “I’m great, Kiera. Better than great.” My smile faded as I stared at her. “Thank you. I never would have done that without you. I never would have let myself…” I paused to swallow the sudden lump in my throat. “You were right…I needed that.”

Her glorious hazel eyes grew glossy as she nodded. “Still…I’m sorry it hurt you.”

I gave her a soft smile. “Sometimes healing hurts.”

Her face filled with love and compassion as she nodded again. Shaking her head, she leaned up to kiss me. “God, I love you,” she murmured in my ear as she hugged me.

Closing my eyes, I hugged her back. “I love you too.” Always and forever.

Kiera and I listened to the rest of Poetic Bliss’s set, saying goodbye to friends and family as they left. Eventually, the show was done, and most of the people here for Kiera’s party had left the bar. Even though the music had stopped, Kiera and I were slow dancing near the stage. I couldn’t stop staring at her, couldn’t stop being amazed by her. What would I be without her? I didn’t even want to picture it.

Because I didn’t want to be without her anymore. Not for a single day, and definitely not for months on the road again. And that was where my life was heading. Lana had already confirmed that for me when we’d started recording. Once the album was ready, the label wanted us to hit the ground running with another tour. There wouldn’t be much of a pause for us, or much time for Kiera and me…if she stayed here.