Zoey rubbed her hands together, looking around as she settled at the front table with Vera and Sienna, near the stage. The three Pierce siblings hadnât arrived yet, and Zoey shrugged, sipping her spiked hot chocolate. She was lightly startled when she felt a gentle weight on both her shoulders. Glancing up, she found Harriet smiling down at her.
"Hey there, girlfriend," Harriet greeted, ruffling Zoeyâs hair affectionately.
Zoey cleared her throat, feeling the blush rising on her cheeks as Vera and Sienna smirked, teasing them like teenagers caught in a romantic moment.
Harriet chuckled, her eyes drifting to Zoey's drink. "Whatâs that?" she asked, nodding toward the cup.
"Spiked hot chocolate," Zoey replied, looking up at her. "Want to try it?" She lifted her glass slightly, offering it.
"Can I?" Harriet asked, and as Zoey nodded, Harriet surprised her by lifting Zoey's chin, leaning down, and pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. She lingered, giving the corner of Zoeyâs mouth a playful lick, leaving Zoey momentarily stunned. Almost dropping her glass, Zoey steadied herself just as Harriet pulled back, managing to keep hold of the drink with a cheeky grin.
Vera covered her mouth, laughing softly. "Oh my God, Harriet! Maybe get a little privacy, hmm?"
Sienna shook her head with a laugh, clearing her throat. "Seriously, Iâm envious. Where the hell is Riley when I need her?" she joked.
Harriet simply shrugged, pulling a chair next to Zoey and settling down. Leaning close, she whispered in Zoey's ear, "Relax."
Zoey, still blushing, fanned herself and pinched Harriet's waist lightly. "Youâre unbelievable," she muttered, glancing at Harriet, who sat there casually, as if nothing had happened.
Harriet grinned. "What? I was just tasting your drink."
"Yeah, right," Zoey huffed, rolling her eyes. "Whatever you say."
Harriet shook her head with a laugh, adjusting her coat snugly over Zoeyâs shoulders before draping her arm over the headrest of Zoey's chair.
Zoey nudged her lightly, turning to face her fully. "You're performing tonight, right? With your sisters?" she asked.
Harriet sat up, nodding. "Yep. Why? Want to sing with me?" she teased, raising her eyebrows playfully.
Zoey grinned and nodded. "I want to try, just once," she said, holding up one finger.
Harriet blinked, leaning in closer with a surprised smile. "Really? No kidding?"
"One hundred percent," Zoey replied, pinching Harriet's cheeks with a laugh. "Just one song, though, okay?"
Harriet bit her lip, nodding with an excited smile. "Wow, showing off your hidden talent now?" she joked, gently poking Zoeyâs nose.
Zoey chuckled, giving her a playful shove. "Well, you asked me the last time though."
"Canât wait," Harriet replied, winking. "Youâll be my star duet partner."
Harriet glanced over at Riley and Nyx, wrapping an arm around each of her sisters, and chuckled as she threw a quick look over her shoulder to where Zoey was sitting.
"Youâre in an awfully good mood, Harriet," Nyx commented, nudging her.
"Yeah," Riley chimed in, nodding. "Whatâs going on?"
Harriet laughed softly. "Well, you know my plan, right? The proposal tonight?" she said, glancing between them.
Nyx and Riley exchanged glances and nodded, recalling that Harriet intended to propose to Zoey tonightâthe real reason behind their performance at the bar.
Harriet grinned. "Hereâs the twist," she paused, checking over her shoulder again before looking back at her sisters with a playful smirk. "Zoey wants to sing on stage with me."
"WaitâZoey can sing?" Nyx asked, sounding genuinely surprised.
"Yep," Harriet nodded, amused.
"Yeah, I actually heard her once," Riley added, smiling. "Sheâs pretty good. So, whatâs the plan now?"
Harriet took a deep breath. "I'm thinking duet. Weâll sing together for the last song, and right before it ends, Iâll propose to her. I've got a video edit and everything ready, but Zoeyâs little surprise has definitely shaken things up." She laughed, shrugging. "Still, if thatâs what she wants, thatâs what sheâll get."
Nyx gave her a supportive squeeze, smiling wide. "That sounds perfect. She wonât see it coming."
Harriet nodded, her gaze softening as she glanced back at Zoey once more. "Yeah, she wonât."
Zoey smiled, leaning her elbow on the table and resting her cheek in her hand, her gaze fixed on Harriet up on the stage. The crowd erupted in cheers, swept up by the energy of the performance by Harriet, Riley, and Nyx. Zoey chuckled as she noticed Harriet mouthing along to the lyrics even when away from the mic, leaving Riley to take her solo.
Catching Harriet's eye, Zoeyâs heart skipped when Harriet winked at her. She felt her cheeks warm, and she quickly shrugged, laughing softly to herself. When the song ended, Harriet made her way down as Nyx stepped up to center stage.
"Alright, everyone!" Nyx called, gathering everyoneâs attention. "This will be our final song for the night. But before we start, thereâs someone special weâd like to invite up here with us." She grinned, giving Harriet a nod.
Harriet removed her earpiece and walked straight toward their table. Zoeyâs stomach fluttered with a mix of excitement and nerves. "This was your idea, remember?" Harriet teased, extending a hand to her.
"Everyone, letâs give a big round of applause for Zoey!" Nyx announced, her voice lighting up the crowd as they clapped and cheered.
Vera leaned in, grinning with excitement. "Oh, youâre really going up there?"
"Go, Zoey!" Sienna cheered, clapping along with the others to encourage her.
Zoey took a steadying breath before reaching for Harrietâs hand, gripping it firmly. Harriet smiled, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. She gently slid her coat from Zoey's shoulders, draping it over the chair. "Ready?" Harriet asked, guiding Zoey with her.
Zoey nodded, clutching Harrietâs hand tighter. "Letâs just hope I donât go off-key," she joked, her voice laced with nervous laughter.
"Youâve got this," Harriet winked, wrapping an arm around her to help her up onto the stage.
Zoey chuckled, shaking her head as the crowdâs cheers grew louder when she stepped onto the stage. Harriet moved closer, leaning in to whisper in her ear, "Breathe. Donât go passing out on me," she teased, chuckling softly.
Zoey laughed, looking out over the audience. So, this is what they see from up here, she thought, her smile a mix of nerves and excitement.
"Relax," Nyx said with a light tap on her shoulder and an encouraging nod. Riley flashed her a thumbs-up from across the stage. Harriet handed Zoey a new earpiece.
"Use thisâitâll help you hear the music clearly," Harriet said, helping Zoey secure it.
Once Zoey was ready, Harriet adjusted her mic, giving Zoey a reassuring glance. "Everyone, please give it up for Zoey!" she announced, hyping the crowd up once more.
Zoey felt her pulse quicken as she bowed and gave a small, nervous wave. She knew theyâd be singing Beautiful Soul by Jesse McCartney, one of her favorite songs from years ago.
A lyrics monitor rested in front of them, though Harriet and her sisters would be handling all the instruments. Harriet began strumming the intro on her guitar, nodding at Zoey to start. Taking a steadying breath, Zoey began to sing, her voice unexpectedly clear, sparking an eruption of cheers from the crowd.
Nyx laughed in surprise, shaking her head, clearly impressed. Harrietâs gaze was unwavering, fixed on Zoey as she sang the next verse. Her eyes held a quiet warmth, as though every word was meant for Zoey alone. It was more than just a songâit was a confession, heartfelt and unmistakable.