My mouth drops open and tears prick my eyes as Devin begins to sing Nirvana’s All Apologies with sweet soulfulness. He hates talking and loathes singing. I can’t imagine anything Devin Bennett would hate more than being on that stage right now in front of a bunch of rowdy drunks. And yet, he closes his eyes and commits to each and every lyric, singing his apology to me. For me.

I listen to his deep and tender song, gravitating towards the stage. Leave it to Devin to use his actions instead of his words. His apology isn’t a rehearsed speech about how much I mean to him or a blurted-out confession of his deepest feelings. He’s showing me what he’ll do to make me happy, to keep me. And it’s enough. It’s everything. Tears are streaming down my face when he stops. He opens his eyes again, searching for me. They flash with panic when he doesn’t find me where I used to be standing.

I smile up at him from the edge of the stage. “Down here, Big Man.”

Relief washes over his features and he jumps off the stage, sweeping me into his arms. The room erupts in applause and I can’t help but let out a self-conscious laugh. Devin doesn’t bother looking up or acknowledging his fans. He’s cupping my face, wiping away my tears that don’t seem to be stopping any time soon.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs against my lips.

“I got that.”

“I love you,” he adds quickly, ignoring my sass.

“Took you long enough to say it.”

His eyes sear into me and a growl rumbles in his chest. “Where you go, I go.”

“You mean that?” I’m almost afraid to ask.

He nods with a slow smile. I seal my lips with his, accepting his apology and everything else he’s willing to give me. The bar erupts in hoots and cheers, but I don’t care. I love this strong, complicated, brooding man. And he loves me.

I break the kiss and drop my forehead against his and chest, overwhelmed by the joy filling my heart.

I slide my hands to his chest and grab two handfuls of his shirt, my lips twisting up in a teasing simper. “So, guess we should get married then, huh?” I ask, expecting him to laugh. Or run.

Devin’s face goes stoic and he pushes me away. My heart skitters to a stop.

“I-I was just kidding,” I stammer, kicking myself for ruining the moment with a stupid joke.

“I’m not.” A devious grin appears on that beautiful face when Devin drops to one knee in front of me. He fishes a small diamond ring out of his pocket and holds it up. “Told you. I’m all in, hummingbird.”