Logan had almost fully recovered, except for a slight delay in reflex, which only he and I noticed. According to the doctor, there was a possibility that it would go away in time.
By law, he hadn’t been able to drive since his head injury. Since he hadn’t had any seizures, however, he could re-apply for his driver’s license next month.
We were lucky. Something changes when you defy death. Life looks different. Brighter. You appreciate every passing moment, and you stop worrying about the future. “What if” had officially been wiped from my vocabulary.
We had decided to move in together right after I graduated high school. Aside from the few growing pains of getting used to living with a man, our relationship was stronger than ever. I could deal with soaked, dirty dish rags left in the sink and greasy fingerprints on the door jambs, as long as I had him.
Hand in hand, we approached the beer tent, where Mel, Nat, Isaac, and Jess waited for us.
“Isn’t this the same band that played last year?” I asked.
“You remember them, huh?” Logan replied.
“I remember everything about that night.”
“All I remember from that night was your smile. I knew I was in trouble the second you looked at me,” he grinned.
“Trouble? I’m trouble?”
He laughed. “Maybe we’re both trouble. But together, we work.”
The bouncer was someone I had never seen, but apparently, he knew Logan. They exchanged head nods as we passed him and entered the tent.
I spotted our friends on the dance floor and began to pull Logan towards them when he tugged me back. Confused, I turned to face him.
“I’ll meet you out there,” he shouted over the music.
“Okay.”
We parted and I headed to the dance area. When Mel saw me, she grabbed my hand and pulled me into their circle where we rocked out to the music.
When the song ended, the lead singer of the band spoke into the microphone. “We don’t normally do anything like this, but we’ve got a special guest here tonight.”
Someone in the crowd whistled.
The singer continued, “Liv Evans, will you come to the stage, please?”
My heart stopped. What did he say? Shocked and a little confused, I turned to Mel to see if she heard what I heard.
She nodded and pointed to the stage. “Go!”
My heart restarted and began pounding viciously in my chest cavity. I sternly shook my head at Mel. “No!”
A familiar voice came over the speakers. “C’mon, babe. I promise I won’t make you sing.”
My head slowly turned to the stage where Logan stood with a sly grin, holding the microphone in his hand.
I still couldn’t move. Hands on my back pushed me forward until my legs started to work on their own. Once I reached the stage, Logan reached down and took my hand, helping me up. Shocked and confused, my eyes scanned the crowd, where they found Melody smiling from ear to ear. Then I focused my gaze at Logan. He looked nervous. His hand stayed gripped to mine, while his other hand held the microphone.
Then, he spoke. “Liv, we met right here in this tent exactly one year ago today. I knew the moment I saw you that my life would change, but at the time, I had no idea how much it would, or why. All I knew then was that I needed to get to know the person behind that magnetic smile. And what I found was a strong, intelligent woman who makes me feel more alive than I’ve ever felt in my life.”
He let go of my hand and reached into his front jean pocket. What he did next completely blew me away.
Taking a little black box out of his pocket, he kneeled on the stage. Gasps and whistles sounded from the audience, along with a few “Woo-hoo!” exclamations. He opened the box, revealing a ring which sparkled in heavenly ways against the stage lights. My hand trembled on its way up to cover my open mouth.
“I love you, Olivia Evans. I love the way you make me better. I love your strength, your spunk, your weird humor. I love the way your voice gets twangy when you sing along to country songs, and how it gets all ghetto when you try to rap. I love your smile, and I promise to make you smile every day. Forever. If you will let me. Liv, will you…”
“Yes!” I shouted as I crouched down and wrapped my arms around his neck, causing him to drop the microphone. “Yes! Yes!”
I vaguely noticed the crowd applauding as I kissed Logan repeatedly on the cheek and neck.
“You didn’t even hear what I was going to ask,” he whispered in my ear. “I was gonna say, will you get me a beer because I’m getting pretty thirsty up here.”
I laughed through my sobs. “Shut up, you dork.”
He chuckled and moved his face in front of mine. “Just so we’re on the same page here, will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?”
My smile took over my face. “Yes, Logan. Nothing would make me happier. I love you too.”
###
Thank you for reading The Fine Line. If you enjoyed it, please consider leaving a review at your favorite retailer.
Thanks!
Alicia Kobishop
Acknowledgements
To my inspiration, my muse, my source of constant encouragement. To the person who took care of the kids and the house even after a hard day’s work so that I could have the time to create a fictional world. To the man who has loved me, unconditionally, since the day we met. Don, your infinite love and support mean the world to me. Thank you for being my very first reader and for loving my writing even when I thought it was less than ideal. I could not have completed this book without you.
To my children. Thank you for your patience when Mommy started writing and didn’t have so much time to have the kind of fun you like to have with me. I promise that no matter what, you will always be my first priority, and I will never stop being a fun Mom.
To my mother Linda for being my first female reader, for giving me your honest feedback, and for reminding me how much I loved to write even way back in the fifth grade.
To my father Don for helping however, wherever, and whenever needed, and for loving my book even though contemporary romance is not exactly your “cup of tea.”
To my brother Mike for your enthusiasm and for promoting me as an author long before this book was ever completed.
To my first readers. Linda Hirthe, Penny Diehn, Andi Larson, and Arlene Katka. Your thoughts and enthusiasm made be believe that maybe I could live out this crazy dream of writing a real novel.
To Angela Barber Farley, my editor and friend. Your expertise and guidance brought life to my “attempt” at a novel. Your feedback was invaluable.
To Jamie McGuire for giving me the final little nudge I needed to get started on this journey. You are an inspirational person.
To Officer Rodney Nelson for cluing me in on street racing and reckless driving laws & penalties in our neck of the woods.
To Michele Nickels, ND. The opportunities you gave me, and your belief in my ability to overcome certain challenges, have helped to shape me into the person I am today. I honestly do not think I would have the confidence to follow my dreams without my experiences at IFWC. Thank you for a remarkable five years.
To Jen McCommons, PA, for your medical expertise.
To Jon Russell for your mechanical expertise.
To Tenley Pipp for taking beautiful photos.
To Pop for giving us your blessing.
To the people who reminded me of the important things in life: John Crippen, Jr., Bryon Beatka, Kim Saxe, and Erin Ziemendorf. You will each have a special place in my heart. Always.
To Kimberly of Book Reader Chronicles blog for being the first “stranger” to give an opinion on my book and for pointing out those few “things.” I will forever be grateful to you for your help and support.
To all my family and friends who have helped to promote and support my dream of becoming an author. I am incredibly blessed to have you all in my life!
About the Author
Alicia Kobishop
She loves hearing from her readers and can be found online at:
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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7353109.Alicia_Kobishop
Website/Blog
http://aliciakobishop.com/
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