True. They probably would hate the life I was suggesting. I was almost certain they’d get over it though. Eventually. I shrugged. “Blame it on me. They hate me, anyway.”

Grinning, she shook her head. “They don’t hate you…that much.”

Maybe not hate, but they definitely didn’t trust me. With time, I could win them over. Maybe. I gave Kiera a kiss, then sighed. “I don’t care what you do, Kiera, I just want you with me.” Remembering what Jenny had told me earlier, I saw a convincing argument that I could use. “And besides, don’t you want to be a writer? Aren’t you writing a book about us, about our life together?”

She raised an eyebrow, surprised that I knew that. With a grin, I shrugged again. “Jenny mentioned it…and I’d love to read it, when you’re done.”

She paused, biting her lip and wrinkling her nose. I knew why she looked that way. I knew exactly how her book would affect me. I still wanted to read it though. I still wanted to see how she saw me, no matter how much it hurt. Finally, she nodded. “When it’s ready.”

Happy that she’d agreed, I dipped her. She laughed when I pulled her back up. “Well, writing is something that can be done anywhere, and to be the best writer you can be, you’ll need to do a lot of research. What better research could you have than traveling across the nation with me…and Griffin?”

She cringed at that thought, but then laughed. Squeezing her, I rested my head against hers again. “You could come back as often as you wanted, Kiera, to visit Anna…your friends, but I’d like us to do this together this time.” I really want this. Please say yes.

Her arms tightened around my neck. Giving me a soft kiss, she said, “Okay, let’s do it.”

My smile was exuberant. She was going to be with me. I couldn’t think of anything better. Except…that wasn’t entirely true. What I’d wanted to ask her ever since her birthday suddenly leapt into my brain. I hadn’t thought of a clever way to do it yet, but now…I saw an opportunity that was playful, sneaky, and amusing. But sweet too. Hopefully she’d forgive me for misleading her.

“There’s only one problem, though.” I said, shifting my grin into a frown.

She instantly copied my expression. “What’s that?”

I exaggerated a sigh as I hung my head. “They don’t let girlfriends tour on the bus with the band anymore…” And by “they” I mean me. I want my wife to join me.

“Oh…” she said. Her body sagged as disappointment filled her. She really did want to come with me. It thrilled me that she did.