An acoustic guitar strummed in the background as the band readied to play their next set. Bill glanced up to the stage. Maybe he wanted to stay and hear the band?

“I wrote this song for the woman I love,” a very familiar voice announced over the sound system.

A shiver blasted down my spine and I gasped from the complete and utter shock of hearing his voice. How could that be? He can’t possibly be behind me… He’s across the country in California!

Quickly, I turned around, covering my mouth with my hands to keep from screaming out in surprise.

“I’m hoping she has the same reaction this time that she had the first time I played for her.” He gently smiled.

There he was, sitting on a stool up on the stage, a very familiar Gibson guitar resting across his thigh. His smile widened when I smiled back.

“This song is called, ‘What Do You Say?’”

He started the soft melody. I stood there, shaking slightly, listening to his mesmerizing voice and his lyrics that touched my soul. My heart pounded in my chest.

If I could put back the pieces and make them right I’d turn back the hands of time with all my might You’d never think that things went wrong If I took the pain away And if I say that you complete me in every single way If I shout it from the clouds above for everyone to hear Could you ever believe me?

If I whisper to you sweetly You say you need a reason But I’ve never gone astray Now if I can once again persuade you To say yes to me today There is just one more question left for me to ask Before we throw it all away What do you say?

Please say yes to me today I gave you my heart, placed it in your hands For our dreams of tomorrow, just like we planned Together as one for the rest of our days But If I’d only showed instead of told you I would have taken this doubt away If I scream it from the sky above So everyone is sure to know Could you ever believe me?

If I whisper to you sweetly You cry out you need a reason But we’ve never gone astray Now if I can once again persuade you To say yes to me today There is just one more question left for me to ask Before we let it slip away What do you say?

Please say yes to me today If you give me your hand, I’ll wrap it in golden bands For a long future together, I’d be a happy man I’ll hold you forever as our story unfolds By my side You’ve been my only lover, let the truth be told If I scream it from the sky above So everyone is sure to know Could you ever believe me?

If I whisper to you sweetly If I say I am your reason And our love will light our way Now if I can once again persuade you To say yes to me today There is just one more question left for me to ask Before we throw it all away What do you say?

Please say yes to me today I stood there in compete awe, my feet frozen to the ground. Tears of joy, tears of pure love, dripped down my cheeks. I covered my mouth with my hands while the crowd exploded with applause.

Ryan set his guitar on the stand, let out a big lung-full of air, and stood up. His eyes were fixed on mine.

Determination like I’d never seen before painted his face with purpose. His legs took long strides, rapidly closing the distance between us. He was headed straight for the big, round table in the middle of the bar.

I wondered for a split second if he actually saw where he was walking? Surely he had to see the enormous table in his way? His gaze was completely locked on my face.

His foot stepped onto the empty chair in front of him, lifting his body off the floor. His next step catapulted him on top of the big oak table, carefully stepping around people’s drinks. He stopped when he reached the center.

All eyes were on him as he stood atop the table. It was so quiet in the crowded bar, you could have heard a pin drop. I could hear my heart hammering in my chest as I stared up at him.

“We’ve made a beautiful mess of things lately, haven’t we?” He flashed that sexy crooked smile at me, which made my heart flutter.

I nodded, agreeing with him.

“But it’s our crazy story,” he stated. “It’s been ours, only ours. There’s been a lot of romance, sometimes way too much drama…” He raised his eyebrows and smirked. “Very memorable comedy, a few pulse-racing action scenes...”

He shrugged and sighed.

“We’ve also had our fair share of suspense and raw terror, and unfortunately gut-wrenching heartache too.

“I think we’ve covered it all, everything except for being captured by aliens!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“But through it all you’ve loved me, unconditionally, and I know how fortunate I am to have your love.

“I don’t want to live without you, not for one more minute, not for one more second. I want to spend the rest of my days living my story with you… only you.”