Alyssa was already exhausted by the time the dinner service began on Wednesday evening. The staff had thrown a big farewell party for her in the break room and everyone had come. Pete had even invited Brady. The only one missing was Marco. And she'd thought her heart couldn't hurt any more.

Not only did she feel terrible for not telling him her plans, but at this rate she was beginning to worry she might not see him to say good-bye at all.

When Brady had picked her up yesterday, she'd forced him to accept a "No Marco" rule to escape being badgered with questions and hearing his unsolicited opinion about what had happened-or hadn't happened-between them. But now she was on the verge of breaking down and asking him where Marco was. If he knew she was leaving. If he was okay.

The only thing that gave her the strength to persevere was taking care of her customers and looking forward to hearing Tommy finally perform for open mic night. He'd promised he would do it, since it was her last night there. She'd heard him play just once, at the picnic at Cunningham Falls, but here she'd get the full experience-microphone, acoustics, and the energy of the audience fueling him on.

Finally, Tommy took center stage with his acoustic guitar. The waitstaff knew what a great musician he was and how infrequently he played in public, so everyone gathered around the edges of the venue to listen to him. He introduced himself and launched into a song. The rasp in his voice combined with the almost percussive way he played the guitar to create an incredible, mesmerizing performance. Even the kitchen staff came out toward the end of the song to listen. When he finished, the room shot to their feet.

Alyssa cheered and bumped shoulders with Kim. "Wow. He's amazing," she yelled into her friend's ear.

Kim grinned, then surprised her with a big hug.

Alyssa laughed. "What's this for?"

"Just because, honey."

"Well, just my luck to follow that up," the next musician said to the crowd's laughter and whistles. "My name's Marco, and this song is for Alyssa."

Alyssa whirled around, a lump forming in her throat as her gaze latched onto Marco, sitting on a stool with one knee propped to support his guitar. He adjusted the mic and began to play.

She recognized the song within three notes and thought her legs might give out. Several hundred people sat and stood around the room, but all Alyssa could see was Marco. Proclaiming in his sweet voice he could never have enough time with her and to forget the world around them. When he hit the chorus and sang the words marry me, Alyssa lost the fight against her tears and pressed her hand over her mouth to keep from drawing attention to herself.

Was this really happening? Was Marco really saying he loved her and...proposing? Her heart suddenly felt too big to fit in her chest.

Hands settled on her shoulders from behind and she jumped. "Al?"

"Brady," she whispered, batting away her tears.

He smiled and pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry I was such a hothead and didn't take the time to listen. He loves you. And if he's what you want, you have my blessing."

The room went spinny around her. She focused on Brady's face. The sincerity of his words was reflected in his expression, which was all pride and joy for her. For them. "Thank you," she said, and threw her arms around his neck.

"You're welcome. Now, go put my man out of his misery and tell him you'll marry his sorry ass." He kissed her cheek.

Alyssa choked out a laugh and swatted him in the chest. Brady chuckled.

Kim gave her two thumbs-up and a big smile as she looked over her shoulder. Behind her, Pete stood wearing a satisfied smile.

It was so much to take in, but most of all Marco. Her beautiful, damaged man. Along with her brother, her biggest hero. And the love of her life.

As Marco hit the second chorus, Alyssa's legs finally acted on the command to move and she walked down the tiered entranceway to the wide aisle that ran down the middle of the venue parallel to the stage. She made it partway across when a spotlight fell on her. She froze as everyone turned, but then Marco's gaze found her, too. And the love shining out of his gorgeous eyes beckoned her to come to him.

People reached out and shook her hand or called out enthusiastic cheers as she passed, but all she could really focus on was Marco. He missed a few notes and sang half a verse a cappella with his left arm resting in his lap. But what he'd done for her was completely, utterly perfect.

As she approached him, her heart thundered in her chest and her feet barely touched the ground. When her hand landed on the edge of the stage, Marco finished the line asking her to always be happy with him, and then he hopped off the stool, propped the guitar against it, and was down off the stage and in front of her in seconds.

Alyssa jumped into Marco's arms and kissed him until she couldn't breathe. She was vaguely aware of the crowd's applause.

"I love you, Alyssa. I'm only sorry it took me so long to tell you."

She shook her head. "You're right on time. I can't believe you did this, you silly, wonderful man."

He smiled and looked more at ease than she could remember seeing him. "It's good to be silly sometimes, right?"

She nodded. "God, I love you."

He set her down and sank to one knee. Alyssa gasped, utterly blindsided by the sheer force of the joy that flowed through her.

Marco held up a stunning diamond that glittered in all the lights from the stage. "Alyssa Scott, I am so in love with you. Will you please be my forever and marry me?"

Alyssa nodded, then found her voice. "Oh, Marco. Yes."

"You make me so happy, Aly." Marco slipped the ring on her finger, rose, and pulled her in for a long, deep kiss.

"She said 'yes!'" a man sitting in the audience near them yelled. The crowd erupted into applause and whistles.

When the kiss ended, Alyssa marveled at the band of gold surrounding her finger. The biggest of all her dreams had come true, and it felt like anything was possible. Which reminded her...

Grinning, she wrapped her arms around Marco's neck and pushed onto her tiptoes. "So, does this mean I'll finally get to drive Betty?"

Marco burst out laughing, and the sound was so carefree and wholehearted. He squeezed her tightly against him. "I'm in so much trouble with you, aren't I?"

Alyssa gave him her most innocent smile. "Not if you give me everything I want."

He shook his head, his own smile carving that sexy dimple she loved into his cheek. "That's the plan."

"Good. Then kiss me again."

The kiss that followed was filled with joy and laughter, tears, and murmured words of love. After all this time, they'd found peace and love and security in the arms of the one person who had known and cared for them forever. It was more than she'd ever hoped for.

It was everything.