The line outside the bar rivaled any of the hottest clubs in the city. There were photographers and velvet ropes lining the street. Eric gripped Keira’s hand a little tighter, the diamond in her ring digging into his fingers. It was a good pain though. He knew that ring let everyone know she was off the market. She complained that she couldn’t hold her camera properly with it on so they’d compromised. A simple gold band when she was working and the real deal for special occasions. And this was a special occasion.

No matter how many times he rolled over in bed beside her, watched her come down the stairs or just glanced over at her, he couldn’t get over how lucky he was. Her curls bounced as they made their way across the street. The mid-thigh pale pink dress with sequins all over it that she’d picked up in Paris made everyone else fade away. Her laughter danced in his ear, brighter and sweeter than any music he’d ever been able to play. When she smiled, he was hard pressed not to turn them right around, back to their hotel and keep her there until they’d both had their fill of one another, which meant they might never leave.

But there wasn’t time for that tonight. Tonight, they were celebrating so many achievements and he didn’t want her to miss out. Security at the door, ushered them inside. His phone vibrated in his pocket.

Mark: Come up to the office

“Can you believe this?” she said, pushing her hair out of her face. “It’s insane.” She was pressed tight against him as they wove their way through the crowd. There were actors, models, musicians, photographers and everyone else in between inside.

“I can’t. It’s crazy,” he said. “Mark said to head upstairs.” She nodded and they pushed through the crowd. Every couple of steps there was someone to shake hands with either him or Keira.

This was the grand opening of The Bramble NYC, the sister location to the original LA bar. A bar opening didn’t usually garner this much attention, but they also didn’t have the kind of firepower behind them that this place had. Waiters tried to squeeze by with trays of hors d'oeuvres whipped up by Rox in the kitchen. She was the proud recipient of a Michelin Star for the bar in LA.

“I know, I don’t think anyone’s going to be able to hear me play,” he said, against her ear. The crowd was so thick, they could barely move. He wrapped his arm around her to help guide her. She laced her fingers through his hand resting on her shoulder, her ring catching the light from above.

“They can do whatever they want, but you know I’ll be in my seat, front and center,” she said. They finally burst free from the crowd and made it up the stairs to the office. As they climbed the steps, the roar of the crowd died down a little. When they pushed their way inside, the craziness of downstairs was replaced by the familiar energy of friends reuniting.

Rox and Jen swarmed Keira the moment she stepped through the door.

“Let me see. Let me see,” Jen screamed. Rox grabbed her hand and smiled, hugging her.

“Looks like Eric went to the same jeweler Liam went to. This thing is huge,” she said, pretending Keira’s hand was too heavy to hold.

“Don’t act like I haven’t caught you admiring it when the lights back there in the kitchen catch it just right,” Liam called across the room.

“Maybe I’m just trying to figure out how much food I’m going to have to dig out from under it once I get home,” she said even as the blush crept across her face.

Jen’s best friend, Alex, was there to show her support too. The guys were on kid duty. Gabe had Emma, who was completely occupied by her iPad, on his lap. He was in the city for the premier of a new movie he'd produced. It was already getting critical buzz for awards season.

Liam was feeding Grace a bottle. Everyone came into the city for Keira’s art exhibition. Rhythm on the Road was a huge success. Almost every piece had been sold before her gallery opening took place. He’d managed to snag one shot as a gift. He couldn’t wait to hang it in their apartment. The women fussed and fawned over Keira. The group spent a while catching up. It wasn’t often they were all in the same room anymore with him and Keira on the road, Roc and Liam in LA, Mark and Jen in NYC and Gabe and Jen wherever in the world one of his current movie production took him.

“You ready for the show?” Mark asked, pulling Jen into his lap and kissing her neck. Keira slid her arms around Eric’s shoulder and rested her head on his.

“He’s always ready for a show,” Jen said, glancing down at him. Her smile lighting up the room. “I don’t know if anyone down there is going to be able to hear. It’s beyond packed Mark.”

“And I was afraid no one would show up,” Mark said. There was a knock at the door. The event planner let them know it was time to head down.

“When’s the wedding?” Jen asked, practically chomping at the bit. “And don’t you even try to elope when you’re out on the road. Rox already screwed us out of a big wedding, don’t think you’re getting away with it too,” she said, following us down the stairs.

“We could always make it a destination wedding. Have everyone go somewhere when we have a break in the tour. Maybe when we’re in Australia,” Keira said, looking back at Eric.

“Whatever you want to do. I’ll do it standing on my head if that’s what you want,” he said. And he would. Whatever it took to get that second ring on the finger of the woman he loved, he’d do it. It could be tomorrow for all he cared. The sooner the better. But he’d make sure it was special for her. A day she’d never forget. A promise he made for every day with her. Make each day together the best day they’d ever had.

As he stepped up on the stage and slung his guitar over his shoulder, she sat in her usual seat. Front row center. She never got tired of watching him play and he never got tired of playing for her. He loved watching her and writing new songs inspired by her. He felt one coming on now as she mouthed, ‘I love you’ to him over the din of the crowd.

“Even more,” he said, into the mic. Even more and always.