of hers and if I let her walk away now, I knew I’d never recover.
I knew it was selfish, but I wanted to fight for one more chance. “Maybe we can try to talk to my father. We’re on really good terms now. Maybe he can reason with my mother about the scholarship. I know it’s a long shot, but please, just let me try to fix this.”
Layne looked at me with that touching smile of hers. “You don’t need to fix anything,” she said. “I won. The prize is just different than I thought.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You, Wyatt. I’m talking about you. I won, because you’re the best prize of all.”
I stared at her, knowing I must be dreaming. But I didn’t care, I didn’t want to wake up. I just wanted her to say more things that made my heart turn inside out.
“Maybe I didn’t win the scholarship. But I know I can do it now. I know I’m good enough to follow my dreams. That’s what today was really about. And we’ll always have the memories of what we did up on that stage together. That’s enough for me. Because I have you and my music, and no one can take that away from me.” She lifted one shoulder and grinned. “So, I guess I’m saying nothing else really matters.” She added. “As long as you’re okay dating a DQ’d diva.”
Her eyes sparkled up at me and I didn’t waste another second before sweeping her into my arms. I claimed her lips with mine, slow and thorough, showing her just how ‘okay’ I was with dating every version of her.
Chapter Sixty-Six
Layne
“Are you sure you don’t want to go home?” Wyatt asked as we watched people lining up to get autographs with the guest judges.
“No, I want to hang around and cheer on the rest of the Diva Squad.”
He leaned down and kissed my hair. “And you’re still my girlfriend?”
I laughed. “Yes, Wyatt. I’m not going to change my mind.”
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”
“I know,” I teased. “Don’t you forget it.”
“Believe me, there’s no chance of that happening.”
I stood on my tippy toes and gave him a soft kiss.
We’d had a good talk after I finally convinced him that I didn’t blame him for getting me disqualified. Rules were rules and I’d broken them, inadvertently or not. Besides, everything I told him was true. Even before the winners were announced I’d realized I’d achieved my goals and then some.
It happened when we were standing backstage waiting to go on, me wrapped in Wyatt’s warm embrace, realizing I’d found where I belonged. Making music, with Wyatt by my side. I didn’t know exactly how that was all going to work but figuring it out together would be the fun part.
I knew his heart was still tender from feeling like he’d let me down. But I certainly wasn’t upset about reassuring him with extra affection. The boy’s lips were my kryptonite.
I felt the lyrics to another song about kisses bubble up. At this rate I’d have an entire album about kissing Wyatt Nash.
I smirked. There were worse problems to have.
“What are you smiling about?” he asked.
“Nothing. Come on, let’s go congratulate the other singers and songwriters.”
We spent the next half hour chatting with some of the other performers. Everyone was super supportive about my situation. Even Jenna congratulated me. She was in a stellar mood considering she was getting some special attention from the cute boy I’d spotted her with.
By the time the lobby lights dimmed on and off, signaling it was time for the next performances to start, I was grinning from ear to ear. My face actually hurt from smiling. I didn’t think that had ever happened at a competition before.
“Shall we go find some seats?” Wyatt asked, offering me an arm even though he was using his crutches.
“Actually,” a voice called from behind us. “I was hoping you’d have a minute to talk?”
I turned around and nearly fell over. Tessa Hart was standing there looking like a tall glass of water. Actually, make that a tall glass of champagne. She was much too classy to be plain old water, with her effortless blonde waves and stunning gold dress.
I stood still hoping I wasn’t standing in the way of whomever she was talking to, afraid that if I moved, I’d bump into her and make a fool of myself.
“I’m Tessa Hart,” she said. “I really loved your songs.” She smiled at me and I nearly