“Not now. I just want to enjoy the concert.”
Emma opened her mouth as if to speak but snapped it shut after Brian nudged her.
A crackling came from the speakers positioned behind them. Darlene Weber’s voice came from the device a moment later.
“Good evening. I hope everyone is enjoying this year’s fair. While I have everyone’s attention, I want to thank the planning committee. Your hard work and dedication make this event possible. And now it’s time for my favorite part of the weekend. Please help me welcome Back Bay to the stage.”
Applause erupted from the crowd as the band took the stage.
The band’s front man, Lance, accepted the microphone and faced the crowd. Liv had seen them perform several times, and they always kicked off a performance with two rock songs and then a slower ballad. Then they’d thank everyone for coming before launching back into their show. Today, the instruments remained silent as he gestured for the crowd to quiet down.
“We’re going to do things a little differently tonight,” Lance said. “About a week ago, a resident, someone many of you know, contacted us asking for our help. After he explained the situation, we couldn’t say no.” The musician gestured toward the stairs leading onto the temporary stage. “Everyone, please welcome Matt Sherbrooke.”
Liv’s iced tea slipped from her fingers as a deafening cheer erupted from the crowd as Matt joined Back Bay onstage. For the past few weeks, she’d struggled to block out thoughts and memories of him. With Matt standing mere feet away, they bombarded her. Urged her to wait for him to come off the stage and tell him she’d changed her mind. That she’d made a mistake.
“Thanks, Lance,” Matt said, accepting the microphone and then turning to face the crowd. “How are you doing, Orchard Harbor?”
The question elicited another cheer from the crowd.
“Tonight, I’m performing a new song I wrote for someone very special to me. Someone I want to spend the rest of my life with here in Orchard Harbor. Liv, if you’re here tonight, this song is for you.”
Stunned, she stood there, her heart racing a thousand miles a minute as Matt’s voice filled the air, accompanied by Back Bay. A gentle nudge pulled her back to reality.
“Did you know about this?” Liv asked.
Emma nodded. “He asked me to make sure you were here tonight.”
Now her insistence that Liv come tonight made sense.
“Go up there,” Emma urged her.
She’d rather run down Main Street naked. “No way.”
“At least move close enough so he sees you.” Emma gently pushed her when she remained frozen in place.
“Now I know what love is.” Matt’s voice washed over her, and she swallowed, hoping to dislodge the golf-ball-sized lump that had taken up residence in her throat.
She’s right. I should move closer.
Liv weaved through the crowd far easier than she would’ve imagined. Soon she found herself almost close enough to touch the stage, and when Matt spotted her, he gestured for her to join him, drawing the attention of many concertgoers her way. As if someone had waved a magic wand, the crowd created an opening for her.
Everyone fell silent; the only sounds were Matt’s voice and the band. As if in a dream, she climbed the steps. Heat filled her face and spread down her neck, and she didn’t need a mirror to know she resembled a tomato when Matt took her hand and led her to the center of the stage.
She could handle performing karaoke at the Northside Tavern during the offseason when the restaurant resembled a ghost town. But this was about as different as you could get from that.
Matt’s eyes never left hers as he finished the song. Even as the final note rang out through the air, the crowd remained silent, their attention fixed on the stage, wondering what he had planned next.
“For a long time, I’ve felt as if someone was missing from my life. I didn’t know until this summer you were the one I needed, Liv. I know you have doubts, but I love you and want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you here in Orchard Harbor, the only place that truly feels like home.”
Wiping away the tears slipping down her cheeks, Liv struggled to hold back a full onslaught of emotion.
After pulling something from his pocket, Matt dropped to one knee. “Olivia Middleton, will you marry me and let me spend my life showing you how much I love you?”
Words deserted her. She’d accused him of cheating, ignored him for weeks, and yet now he was on one knee asking her to marry him. She’d imagined this summer ending many different ways, but she’d never allowed herself to think a marriage proposal from Matt was in her future.
“Say yes,” someone in the crowd shouted.
The comment was quickly met by another. Soon, everyone was urging her to accept.
