AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s all right.” She gestured vaguely to the open door. “I’m sort of outside anyway.”
“You’re really good.” Luke glanced over the piano. It was older, but well-maintained. “How long have you been studying music?”
“Oh, I haven’t really studied it. At least officially.” Hannah looked down at her hands, her cheeks darkening even more. “I took lessons from someone around here when I was younger, but I outgrew that. Now I just mess around and compose stuff after hours. I watch videos on music theory sometimes if I want to understand how to create a certain sound too.”
“You composed that? What you were just playing?” Luke blinked. “That’s incredible, Hannah. You’re really talented. I thought that was some popular song I just happened to miss out on.”
Her hands went to her cheeks, as if covering them could stop her from blushing. It was incredibly cute and made his heart flip in his chest. Well, until he remembered that he was here to put those feelings aside, which put a damper on the feeling.
“Thank you. Sorry, I’m bad at taking compliments,” Hannah said.
“I get it. I’m not sure if anyone is.” He smiled. “Have you ever thought about going to school for it?”
Hannah paused, biting her bottom lip and absently scratching her forearm. “I mean, yeah. But that’s as far as it’s gotten—my thoughts.”
“Is it more because you aren’t interested, or… ?”
“I’m interested still.” Hannah looked past Luke’s shoulder. “But it’s not like Blueberry Bay is a popular spot for music schools. I’d have to leave and I don’t want to leave my dad here with The Crab. I mean, I know he’s totally capable of running the place, but…”
Luke watched her gather her thoughts. She raked her fingers through her long ponytail, her gaze getting far away.
“I don’t know. It’s complicated. I don’t want to be like my mom.” Hannah frowned, like she wasn’t sure how her words sounded to someone else.
“What happened with her?”
“She and my dad split up because she didn’t like life here, basically. It really put a strain on their relationship so she just left.” Hannah shrugged. The way she talked about it made it sound like she was over it, though Luke imagined it must not have been. “I know I’m not, but if I left, I’d be like her in that way. She left and didn’t look back. And as much as my dad tries to keep a brave face on, I know that it still hurts. He loved her very much.”
“I bet,” Luke said softly.
“Yeah. So it doesn’t really feel like I can leave without hurting him and we’re really close.” Hannah skimmed her fingers over the piano keys without pressing them down. “So I guess my music will just be here as an outlet for my feelings, happy or sad. More like the latter tonight.”
Luke hesitated. He’d read into her feelings a little too much before and made assumptions, but this felt like something he could talk to her about. She had opened up to him about some deep feelings.
“What were you playing through tonight?” Luke asked.
“Oh, gosh.” Hannah pressed down two keys. “It’s mortifying, but I told Michael how I felt about him and asked him to the luau. He told me he only saw me as a friend. I grabbed my coffee and booked it out of there before I passed out from embarrassment right there on the floor. Then Michael would have had to save me twice.”
“I’m sorry.” He had been turned down before and it never felt good, even if the rejection was gentle. “But you shouldn’t feel bad in the long run. It’s not like him turning you down is a reflection on who you are as a person. It’s his loss that he can’t see how wonderful you are.”
Luke swallowed, his face getting hot. His words had been way, way too earnest and she saw his meaning right away. Why hadn’t he learned his lesson before? His excess enthusiasm was the whole reason he’d gone to The Crab in the first place.
“Sorry.” Luke messed with his beard, then put his hands in his lap so he wouldn’t fidget. But that only made him feel more awkward. “I should apologize for the other day too. I was way too forward and read your signals wrong.”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to apologize for that.” Hannah tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I was swept up myself, but clearly a little too much. I got too blinded by my puppy crush to see someone who was noticing me.”
Her smile was warm, making the same feeling spread through his belly. He felt like the one who was swept up this time. Hannah’s beautiful, petite features glowed in the low light, making it impossible for him to take his eyes off of her.
“I understand that too,” he said, clearing his throat.
Hannah got up and sat next to him, only a few inches between them. Luke’s skin tingled even though they weren’t touching.
“If you ever tried to kiss me again, I’d definitely accept it,” Hannah said, leaning closer to him.
Luke grinned. That was all the invitation he needed. He took Hannah’s hand in his and kissed her softly on the lips. It was sweet, tasting like mint, and better than he’d ever dreamed. She squeezed his hand in the middle of it. The grip of her small hand in his was the perfect reminder that yes, this was actually happening.
They broke apart, grinning at each other, their fingers still twined together.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
