Chapter 51

Chapter Fifty-One

Caroline

I sn't the big fundraiser coming up?" Evie asks, as the Le Marais waiter sets down five pretty mojitos garnished with fresh sprigs of mint. "You seem super relaxed."

Without skipping a beat, I hand my phone to the waiter and Mo, Barbie, Sam, Evie, and I squeeze in for a photo. I'm still pinching myself that Evie is back in town. She's sticking to her plan not to miss our club meetings, something I will attempt to adhere to myself.

"That's because I'm taking a back seat," I say, then sip my mojito. "Sam is claiming the reins. Maybe for future years too, if she's willing."

I mentally slap myself for ever doubting Sam. Her auction idea is bringing in new donations every day. Big money. I tell the other gals about it and they seem intrigued.

Sam, however, is more interested in talking about her new neighbor.

The topic change from her ex—the only man Sam ever speaks about—is unsettling, like we're witnessing a seismic shift in her personal evolution.

We're all leaning in, curious.

"He was up mowing the lawn at seven thirty Saturday morning. Can you believe the nerve?"

We all tsk tsk in solidarity.

"Did I already say he's a single dad?"

We shake our heads.

"He's noisy. Or his kids are. Between the mower and the music blaring?—"

"What kind of music?" Barbie interjects.

I suspect she's trying to get the conversation back into chill mode. I exchange glances with Evie and can tell she's thinking what I'm thinking. Sam likes this new, ‘annoying' neighbor. Though she may not know it yet.

Before Sam can reply, Mo pipes up. "Maybe he wants to participate in the auction."

Sam makes a face and I realize all of us are picking up on the same vibe.

"Don't be silly," Sam says, nibbling on a slice of French bread. By now, I know Sam and even if she is irritated, she's soaking in the club's attention. I'm glad. She deserves it. A bachelor auction where the winner pays five figures to Bernard's charity for a date with an eligible professional, is her brainchild. So far, an extremely successful one.

Barbie and Mo fill us in on their hectic professional lives. Love hasn't yet found a way to squeeze into their tight schedules but I'm certain it will. They are amazing, accomplished women. Both of them.

I glance at my watch. "Thanks for lunch, ladies. Gotta skedaddle. I'm meeting Calvin and Chacha in an hour."

This is the first time I accepted the club's offer to pay for my lunch. I thought it would feel horrible but once I relented, it was fine. I'm learning it's not a handout, it's friendship.

"Where are you going?" Evie asks.

"MSG."

Barbie lifts a brow. "Is there a show happening there tonight?"

"Actually, I'm not sure. Calvin's being a bit mysterious."

I blow kisses across the table and then hug Evie close. She and I are going to get together again early next week, just the two of us, before she has to leave again. That's when I'll tell her about my upcoming move to Vermont this summer. All Evie knows is that I'm going to Sugarbush Falls with Calvin and Chacha for the weekend. She has no clue I'm moving there, permanently.

I step off the subway at 34th Street and take the escalator up to street level, then make my way outside. It's a lovely spring afternoon—clear skies, a gentle breeze, and the kind of weather that makes the whole city feel alive. Still, my heart beats faster just thinking about returning to Vermont. It must be stunning this time of year.

I wait for the light and then cross the Seventh Avenue. It's been a while since I've been to this part of the city but Calvin called me before lunch, sounding cryptic and playful. "Meet me at Madison Square Garden," he'd said.

"Why?"

"I've got a gig," he replied, like it's no big deal.

"A gig ? At MSG?"

Calvin had a band back in his twenties, but MSG? No chance.

I pressed him but he stopped answering my questions, leaving off with specific instructions. "I'll leave a ticket for you at the counter. First row, five p.m. sharp. Don't be late." And with that, he hung up.

I spot the marquee outside the Garden. The headliner is some musician I've never heard of, one of those names the younger crowd loves but I can't quite place. The show starts at eight, three hours from now. Confused, I'm about to call Calvin when a text comes through.

Are you here?

Yep, a bit early

You're right on time. C u inside.

Before I walk in, I pass a couple of makeshift tables lining the sidewalk, selling cheap knockoff merch—bootleg t-shirts, hats, and glow sticks. Teens crowd around, snatching up gear. Is it me, or do these kids look way too young to be here without parental supervision, buying illegal swag?

As promised, a ticket is waiting for me and I make my way inside. The hallway is buzzing with energy. Various staff, toting clipboards and speaking into head mics, scurry past as I make my way forward. There's no sign of Calvin.

I hear the band rehearsing and enter the arena. It's massive, cavernous, the atmosphere electric but not with audience members. The seats are empty.

Someone is testing the lighting, adding to the sensory bombardment. It's surreal and exhilarating.

I head toward the stage, wondering what on Earth Calvin has planned. I've been here before for a Billy Joel concert, but this feels different. The anticipation is ramping up.

I find my seat. Front row, center. The moment I settle, the lights dim, and when the spotlight hits the stage, I see him.

Calvin, with a guitar slung across his chest, looking every bit the musician he once was.

My heart is racing like a thoroughbred in my chest as I watch him step up to the mic. The band behind him starts playing. I instantly recognize the familiar opening chords of Sweet Caroline . Unless I'm going crazy, the keyboard player is tonight's headliner. He's playing backup to Calvin! Behind me, I hear several people join in, belting out the words, but I'm frozen in place, in shock.

As the chorus swells, Calvin motions toward me, removing his guitar. "Caroline, come up here!" he calls out as if the place was filled with fifteen thousand fans. The spotlight swings my way. Somehow, my body responds and I make my way to him.

The place is a blur of lights and a handful of cheering voices, but all I can focus on is Calvin, standing there, grinning like he knows exactly what he's doing.

I climb the steps and the second my feet touch the stage, he takes my hand. The music softens, and the entire arena falls silent as if the universe knows something extraordinary is about to happen. Calvin lets go of my hand and pulls a small box from his pocket.

"Caroline," he begins, his voice carrying over the stillness. "Until I found you, my life felt like a melody missing its chorus." He kneels down, steadying himself.

Tears blur my vision, my heart pounding fiercely in my ears.

"I've spent so long making my life about work, keeping everything simple and focused. But then you and Chacha came along, and suddenly, my world is expanding." He pauses. "You're the song I've been longing for, the harmony that completes my life."

The weight of the moment hangs between us. A dazzling ring now glimmers in his hand. His eyes shine with love as he takes a deep breath, "Caroline, will you marry me?"

I can barely breathe. Calvin, my sweet, unassuming doctor-turned-rockstar-for-the-night, is on one knee, asking me to spend forever with him.

I nod, laughing through my tears. "Yes, my love." Then, without hesitation, I shout, "Yes!" to the entire arena, to the entire world.

Like magic, Calvin's lips meet mine. His kiss is electrifying, filled with fervor and tenderness that spreads like wildfire from my head to my toes. I surrender to the moment, to his firm touch. I wrap my arms around his neck and match his intensity with my own.

When we finally pull away, his eyes lock on mine. The band launches back into Sweet Caroline , the staff clapping excitedly, singing along louder than before. Soon, everyone will be back at their jobs, the arena filling with the rock star's fans. But in this moment, as Calvin slips the ring on my finger, I know it's a memory I'll cherish for the rest of my life.