Grace takes my chin between her two manicured fingers and turns my head to the direction of the stage.
At the sight of Declan in the spotlight, wearing a white v-neck t-shirt, navy blue corduroy blazer, and faded ripped denim, my jaw drops wide open. Two years ago he shocked me by gracing this stage. Tonight he takes my breath away.
He shades his eyes from the glare of the spotlight to peer out over the crowd, looking for me. His free hand remains in his pocket.
Oh my God, how did he manage to get sexier from the time he excused himself from the booth until now? I reluctantly remove my eyes from him to look at Grace. Her audacious smirk is wiped clean off her face, replaced by a nervous gnawing of her bottom lip.
I block her out and focus my attention on Declan again. What is he doing up there this time? And why do I have the haunting suspicion that there is no coincidence between Grace being here and whatever is about to unfold?
“The two of you planned this, you sneaky witch?”
She doesn’t say a word. She only winks before she plops down in her seat, chugging down the rest of my beer.
There is a test tap and the piercing sound of feedback before Declan brings the mic to his mouth. “Um…hi, everyone. Hope you’re enjoying your evening.”
The crowd doesn’t hesitate to reply with deep hoots and deafening whistles. One of Declan’s friends bellows out, “Yeah, Romeo!” Laughter takes over the mob and as I search the faces, a few familiar ones pop out at me.
Declan’s roommate, Carl, is arm and arm with his girlfriend, Stephanie. Stephanie waves in my direction. The four of us have become semi-close through what started out as forced double dates.
Behind them are two of our study partners from the history class we took together last semester. Our study groups turned into late night chill-outs and soon turned us into good friends. Ray and Jade catch me in a confused stare and wink, knowingly.
But the dead give-away that something is most definitely not kosher is the attendance of my introvert of a roommate, Whitney, and her anti-social boyfriend. Michael hides his head in a pilsner at the bar, as Whitney leans up against the stool beside him. She flips me the bird and I laugh. I know she’s not happy about being dragged out to a place like this, but the trace of a smile on her dark red lips lets me know she’s here to support whatever the hell is about to take place.
Declan’s voice comes booming over the sound system, breaking me of my silent wonderings. “I’m sure most of you are wondering why the music’s stopped and what I’m doing up here.” He fiddles with whatever is in his pocket, concentrating on me and me alone.
“I’ll get to the point so everyone can get on with their night.” He looks down at his feet, rocking back and forth on the heels of his shoes. Why is he so nervous? He’s been up there before.
“Two years ago tonight, I stood up here and sang to that stunning girl over there.” He points to me as the crowd draws out an awwww in unison and miraculously, or deliberately, the spotlight is pointed on me. Thank God it’s only for a second. I think I just died a little of embarrassment.
Declan becomes the center of attention again and continues, “That night I told her how much I wanted her. But now that she’s fulfilled every want I’ve ever had, it’s time for me to tell her just how much I need her.”
My heart is drumming so loudly I can barely make out what Declan is saying, but when I see him get down on one knee, removing his hand from his pocket to produce something very shiny, I don’t need to hear any words.
“Mia Page, I’ve spent the last two years getting to know you and falling in love with everything about you. Will you let me spend the rest of my life loving you…as your husband?”
All of my breath is trapped in my throat. I feel lightheaded and my brain won’t let my body do anything.
Grace stands up and nudges me toward the stage. “Snap out of it, Mia. If you don’t go up there and say yes, I will!”
I peer over my shoulder for one more jolt of encouragement and my legs finally break free of the imprisonment my brain imposed on them. I clasp my hands to my heart, taking long strides towards the man who has just proposed to me in front of this room of strangers and friends alike. This seems incredibly surreal. An out-of-body experience.
When I get to the foot of the stage, where Declan is still waiting on bended knee, I look into his gorgeous blue eyes and see my future. Without even realizing it, the tears start to dampen my face. I nod up and down, unable to say the word that is supposed to seal our destiny.
Declan’s eyes grow wide. His smile expands even wider. “Are you saying yes?”