Chapter 167

Shawna POV

Dinner was nothing shy of amazing, but this is unbelievable. I have to pinch myself. We are being led through the backstage area of the Grand Ol' Opry, our tour guide prattling on about the history. She's led us to the area where the stars' dressing rooms are, and it's busy with activity. People scoot around us, paying no mind as they say, "excuse me" as they pass by in a rush. I notice from time to time that one may pass by and give Michael a little nod, as if they know him, but they say nothing.

Michael pulls me into his side, as two large men push past, arms held out wide in protection of whoever they are shielding. I catch a glimpse and my breath hitches. "Oh my, that's her," I say to Michael. "It's Lainey Wilson in the flesh." Michael chuckles, and the two bodyguards look our way before rushing off behind Ms. Wilson as she escapes into a dressing room. "Did you see her?" I ask him once they are behind the closed door.

"I did," he says. "She's smaller than I'd have thought."

"What?" I give him a quizzical look. "She's a normal-sized woman, Michael," then I whisper, "a human woman."

"That is not what I mean," he says with a laugh. "I thought she'd be taller is all."

"Okay," I roll my eyes and look to our tour guide. "What next?"

"Well," she checks her watch. "We will make a quick loop around the main part of the auditorium, and then come back to one of the lounges for your meet and greet. After that, I can show you to your seats."

"I'm sorry, what?" I ask. "Did you just say meet and greet?"

"Yep," she smacks her lips. "Ms. Wilson said she just needs to freshen up and to get her stage make up artist ready and then she can see you."

"I'm meeting Lainey Wilson?" I asked shocked. "Are you for real?" I look at Michael who stands there with a huge grin on his face.

"She's one of your favorite artists, right?" he asks.

"Yes," I say skeptically, thinking he's playing a joke on me. "This isn't funny Michael. I think I might pee my pants right now."

"Oh do you need the restroom?" our tour guide asks.

"Maybe," I say. "Actually yes, please show me to the restroom before we conclude this tour," I'm not about to meet Lainey Wilson feeling like I'm about to pee myself. I'm escorted down a long hallway to a bathroom. Michael stands guard outside the door as I slip inside and lock the door. I cannot believe this is happening. As if I didn't already think my mate was amazing, he's making one of my biggest fantasies come true. "Okay, holy shit," I mutter to myself as I shimmy my dress up to use the facilities. I finish, wash my hands, smooth my hair and take a deep breath. "This is happening," I mutter as I unlock the door.

Michael hears me and smiles. "It's happening babe, unless you spend all night in the ladies room." He takes my hand and the guide leads us on the remainder of the tour. I am certain that I don't hear anything she says, until at long last she leads us to a lounge. There are a few people milling about. Two guys sit at a table drinking beers and eating, dressed in jeans and cowboy boots, button up western shirts complete their ensemble.

"Evening," one says to us with a smile. "Ya'll here to meet Lainey?"

"We are," Michael says. "My wife is a big fan."

"She's a great lady for sure," one of the men says. "I'm Chet and this is Brad, we're in the band. She should be here in a bit. Take a seat and make yourselves at home." He points to the couch and then goes back to eating and talking with Brad.

"They are in the band," I whisper to Michael as he leads me to the sofa.

"I heard," he says with a chuckle. "You want some water?" he asks. I nod and he walks over and grabs a bottle of water off the food table and hands it to me.

The next twenty minutes seem to take forever and I swear my palms start sweating. I keep rubbing them on my dress. Michael at one point grabs my hands and holds them in between his, his thumb rubbing the top of one of my hands. I finally calm down and then she walks in, all smiles and glamour in her typical outfit of bell bottoms and boots. "Hey there, you must be Shawna," she says as she approaches. Michael helps me get up to standing, his hand resting gently on my back.

"I can't believe this is happening," I say. "Yes, hi I'm Shawna. And you're.....", I stop what I'm saying and she laughs.

"Hi, I'm Lainey," she holds out her hand for me to shake and I do. I'm certain my mouth is hanging open, catching flies. "Would you like to take a couple of photos before we get this show on the road?"

"Me," I say, bringing my hand up over my heart. "You want a photo with me?"

"Well sure honey," she says with her adorable southern drawl. She doesn't let go of my hand and pulls me with her away from the couch, to go stand in front of a wall. "This is good here, don't you think?" she asks. I just nod and she laughs again. "Not much of a talker are you?"

"I'm so sorry, yes. I mean I'm just so excited to meet you. This is a dream and I need to pinch myself," I say.

"No pinching. Picture time," she points away from us and I look up to see Michael with his phone out and another man that I assume is a photogropher, his camera at the ready. Lainey makes a few poses and talks to me in between shots, asking me questions. I start to loosen up and enjoy our chat. Before I know it, it's over and she's smiling and pulling me in for a hug. "You hold on to that man Shawna, he loves you. He went to a lot of trouble to make this happen."

"I know," I say as I wipe a tear. A guy from the band walks over and hands Lainey a CD and a pen. She scribbles her name on it and then hands it to me.

"For you," she says with a smile. "You have a great time out there tonight, alright?" then she winks and she's gone.

Michael walks over and pulls me into his arms. "Well babe, how about that concert now?"

"I just met Lainey Wilson," I whisper. With a laugh, Michael leads me from the room and then we are whisked down the hall and out to our seats.