And all his.
“Stop saying that.” Natalie reached over and squeezed his hand, offering him a reassuring smile. It was a commercial break, but the next award being presented was the one that meant the most to him, the one he desperately wanted Wilde & Wicked to win.
The Grammy for Song of the Year.
“I’m trying to psyche myself out,” he said, feeling like an ass. His brother was sitting to the right of him, chatting up his date, a girl he’d been seeing somewhat seriously. It was like Noah’s relationship with Natalie had spurred all the members of Wilde & Wicked to find someone to settle down with. A slightly weird but pleasant situation, he had to admit.
“Well, stop. There’s a good chance you’ll win. I’m tired of your negative talk.” She leaned over and pressed a firm kiss to his lips. “I love you,” she murmured.
“Love you too, sweetheart.” He touched her cheek, overwhelmed with his love for her. He’d written more songs for Natalie, tons of them, ones he might never sing for the public, but he’d shared them all with Nat and she loved every single one of them.
Some of them even made her tear up a little bit. Those were the ones he knew were winners.
Presenters were announced and they appeared at the podium, announcing which award they were giving next. Noah sat up straight in his seat, his gaze glued to the stage. Natalie squeezed his hand hard, lacing her fingers in his. Rick nudged his side when they said his name, grinning at him like an idiot. Wilde & Wicked may have performed the song together, but the writing credits went to Noah only.
If he won this, it would be his Grammy. One that he would share with Natalie.
The moment was big. Huge. Special. He twisted his fingers around Natalie’s as he waited for the announcement, watching as Katy Perry smiled and tore at the envelope with the winner’s name inside.
“And the Grammy for Song of the Year goes to…Noah Wilde for “Natalie”.”
Amazement washed over him and he leapt to his feet on shaky legs. Natalie stood beside him and he turned to her, loving how she reached up and clasped his face in her hands and kissed him, murmuring against his lips, “I knew you’d win.”
“Only because of you, sweetheart,” he whispered, kissing her again before he turned and let his brother and the rest of the band embrace him.
He made his way up to the stage and kissed Katy on the cheek before he grabbed his Grammy and held it up into the air, shaking it in victory. Everyone cheered, but the only person he could see was Natalie hopping up and down in her eye-catching red dress, joy and pride written all over her face.
“I want to thank my fellow members of Wilde & Wicked for giving this song a chance and believing in it. But the person I want to thank the most is my love, my life, my future wife, Natalie, for being the inspiration behind the song.” He leaned in close to the microphone, his gaze never leaving hers. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and the sight of them tugged at his heart. “I love you, sweetheart.”
She mouthed I love you too, and he held the Grammy out toward her.
“This one’s for you. It’s all for you.”
And he meant every word.