“Dustin was jealous.” I watch Luke’s expression, but it doesn’t change. He certainly isn’t surprised. “Of you. Hethought we were too close. And no matter how many times I told him there was nothing between us, he wouldn’t let it go. So we broke it off.”
I’m tempted to say there’s nothing romantic between us, but even saying the word romantic feels like I’m implying there’s a possibility.
Luke nods his head, his face neutral.
“I’d probably serve as a better wing-woman for you than a date.” I laugh awkwardly. “Dustin was possessive.”
Maybe I’m overanalyzing, but I swear there’s a small twinge of hurt in his eyes. He looks away.
“Wing-woman?” He looks at me, composed again.
I sit up straighter, forcing myself to look cheerful.
“Yeah! I bet I could help you score a date, easy!” I say, with too much forced enthusiasm. “We go to Blue Lagoon tomorrow. I bet I could set you up with someone.”
He arches an eyebrow, and it feels like he’s calling my bluff. “I doubt that.”
I feel more comfortable with this type of conversation. “Okay, we’ll just see tomorrow then.”
And just like that, I’ve roped myself into talking Luke into a date with some random stranger. I’ve done weirder things, I guess.
Chapter 12
Harper
“Keep up!” I shout to Luke as we make our way through the city. It’s dark now, and the city nightlife is ... about the same as it was during the day. There are a few people milling about, going in and out of restaurants, but it never feels crowded like it does back home.
“Why are you running?” Luke says, struggling to keep pace behind me.
I have an aurora app open on my phone. I’d downloaded it before we left for the trip, and it sent me a notification that the northern lights might be visible from where I am. We’d been walking around the city when it chimed, but when I looked into the sky, I couldn’t see anything.
I stop to let him catch up.
“There’s too much light pollution. We need to get to the edge of the city where there’s less light,” I huff, a little breathless from the brisk walk and thankful for a short break.
He catches up, so I start walking again. Luke lets out a grunt of annoyance before following.
“Yes, let’s find the dark spot in the city of a foreign country.Sounds safe.”
I roll my eyes even though he can’t see me. “Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world. There are only five jails for the entire country, and the crime rate is super low.”
“Which means we’ll make headlines when we’re murdered.”
“Luke, come on.” I grab his hand and pull him along. We’re getting closer to the edge of the city, at least as far as what’s manageable by foot. I figure the best direction is toward the water. The fewer the buildings, the less light pollution.
We finally reach the docks where the ocean laps at the shoreline. Though there’s water in front of us, it’s just an inlet. Off in the distance, white snow on mountaintops gives the faintest outline against the night sky, but otherwise, that’s all I see.
There are stars dotting the dark sky, but they’re faint and few. And most of all, there are no streaks of color dancing above our heads.
“We won’t be able to get far enough away from the city lights to see anything tonight,” Luke says softly.
I’m still looking. Maybe if I just wait long enough and let my eyes adjust—but I know it’s no use. The burst of energy I had at the thought of seeing the northern lights fades, leaving me with a heavy layer of exhaustion.
I know it’s silly, but I really thought I’d see the northern lights. I thought I’d be able to run outside and they’d be there, waiting for me.
I let out a deep sigh, watching as my breath fogs in front of me.
The Icelandic air was comfortable during the day withwinter jackets, but now that the sun’s gone down, it’s cold enough to need gloves and a hat, both of which I left at the hotel room.
