I’m feeling a little better by the time we finish breakfast, but I still feel dead on my feet. So far, the trip to Iceland has felt a bit like a bust, between the potential awkwardness with Luke and the lack of sleep. But I try to muster every ounce of enthusiasm in me to make the most of today. I’ll get some real sleep tonight, and then tomorrow can start the real adventure.
I have most of our trip planned out, but I didn’t plan anything for the first day because I assumed we’d be tired from the flight. At least I was correct about that.
I let Luke lead the way as we leave the restaurant, mostly because he seems to be on a mission and I’m too tired to ask for details. I don’t ask where we are going, but he has the GPS on his phone up and walks and acts like he knows where he’s going. I half contemplate asking him if we can stop and sit on one of the benches on the side of the road, but Luke doesn’t glance at them as we pass by.
On the bright side, Reykjavik is absolutely stunning. It has the vibe of an old city. The streets aren’t crowded, but thebuildings are gorgeous, a type of architecture that is uncommon in the United States. At home, buildings are mostly plain. I feel like if you looked at most US cities at a glance and had to pick a color, you’d think grey. But here? Red and blue coat the rooftops. The more recent buildings are simple, square, and have that classic Scandinavian feel with splashes of color.
Luke makes a turn, and before I can keep up with him, he steps into a building. It’s not until I walk in that I realize we’re in the hotel we booked. I do a double take, glancing outside again, almost shocked by how much the entrance to the hotel blended in with the rest of the city street shops.
“Luke, we can’t check in until one,” I say, stepping up behind him as he approaches the counter.
“Hello!” The woman at the front counter greets us, her voice carrying a slight Icelandic accent. It’s the same accent we’ve heard from most workers since we’ve arrived. Most residents speak both Icelandic and English, thankfully. I’ve tried my best to learn a few Icelandic phrases here and there, but I know I’m butchering most of them.
Luke ignores me. “I called about checking in early? The reservation for Harper Evans?”
The woman’s face lights up with recognition while I just stare down Luke with confusion. “Oh yes, the room is all ready for you.” The woman hands over the keys and tells us breakfast is served from six to eleven. I stare at Luke, who has a sly grin on his face. He points to the paper in front of us, motioning for me to sign since the reservation is in my name.
“Take the elevator down the hall and go up one floor. Your room is the first one on the right.” Luke is nodding as she talks,but I’m still staring at him as we begin to turn away. “Enjoy your stay, Mr. and Mrs. Evans!”
“Oh, we’re not—” I start to say, but Luke guides me away before I can complete the sentence.
He puts a hand behind my back and leads us to the elevator. The touch, one that’s probably happened a million times in the past, makes me jump. I take a few awkward steps away but smile to hide my emotions.
“We don’t have our bags.” I take another step away from him. He drops his hand, and I glance away quickly, wondering how many times Luke has touched me like that without me noticing.
“I’ll grab them for us once I get you to the room. You look like you need a nap.” He laughs gently, stepping forward and leading the way. “I know you when you need a nap, and it’s not always pleasant.” He elbows me playfully when he passes.
If he noticed the step I took away from him earlier, he doesn’t show it.
If I’d slept better, I probably would have given him a playful shove, but I don’t have enough energy for that right now. Instead, I just roll my eyes, but I have to admit that he isn’t wrong.
“Here we are.” Luke steps out of the elevator and to the door of our room. He swipes his card, and as the door swings open, he ushers me in.
The room is a typical hotel room size, and everything is fresh, modern, and clean. The bed is huge. Instead of one set of sheets, it has two sets of twin sheets. At least we’ll each have our own set of sheets when sharing the bed. It must be a Scandinavian thing. Whatever the reason, I’m grateful, sincethere isn’t anywhere to sleep other than the king-size bed.
I pull my jacket off, letting it fall to the floor before I plop myself down on the bed, belly first with my face shoved into the down comforter. Luke lets out a loud belly laugh. I shift until I’m sitting up and turn to see Luke pull a bottle of champagne from an ice bucket sitting on the desk in the corner of the room. And as if that weren’t bad enough, there’s a note on the desk.
Luke picks up the note, a huge grin still plastered there as he reads. “Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Evans. Enjoy your stay in Iceland!”
I can feel my face turn beet red. This isn’t helpful at all to the situation.
“Do they think we’re on our honeymoon?” My face goes hot. Why in the world do they think we are married?
Luke looks at me, and I glance away, afraid of whatever he may be thinking. Any moment on this trip he could confess his feelings to me, and I don’t want now to be that time.
I push myself off the bed and walk over to him to take the note out of his hand.
Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Evans. Enjoy your stay in Iceland!
I read it over and over, wondering if there’s some sort of misunderstanding. That’s my last name right there, but I’m not married, and even if I were, I’d take Luke’s last name. Not that there’d ever be a situation where I’d marry Luke but—
I need to cut myself off.
“Maybe I should tell them,” I say, glancing up at the door. I have no desire to tell the woman at the front desk, but it seems like a good enough excuse to leave the room.
I take half a step forward, but Luke wraps his hand aroundmy wrist. The feel of his warmth pulls my full attention, and I hate how this simple contact doesn’t feel so easy anymore.
“Harper,” Luke says so softly that I think this is it. This is the moment he tells me his feelings.
