And that is the source of all my problems, isn’t it? Luke, my best friend, who had a crush on me, so I insisted he go out on a date with someone else.
Never has one of my plans failed so epically.
I’ve never loved any of Luke’s girlfriends, but I could at least tolerate them. I’m counting down the days until Cassie has to leave and I’ll have him back to myself again. But Cassie lives in Massachusetts not that far from us, and the thought that she’ll be waiting for him when he gets back is something I can’t stomach.
I try to dispel any Cassie-related thoughts as I make my way into the first restaurant that popped up when I Googled food in Vik. I don’t mind exploring Iceland alone, but there’s something that feels a little sad about sitting in a restaurant by myself.
Unfortunately for me, the only table available is one in the middle of the room. I try not to look like a loner as I sit by myself at the table.
Yes, I am a social person, but only under the right conditions. I was hoping the place would have a bar I could sit at to order my dinner, and then I’d just make friends with whoever was sitting next to me. But when I stepped into the place, it was just tables and booths.
“Want anything to drink?” the waitress asks.
“Lemonade, please,” I tell her.
“Sure. If you have any questions about the menu, let me know.” She walks away.
“Are you using this chair? We need one more at our table.” A woman comes up, putting her hand on the empty chair acrossfrom me. She looks to be about my age, maybe a little older, with a British accent. She reminds me of the group of girls I’d been hanging out with earlier, but when I glance over at her table, I don’t recognize anyone.
“No, you can take it,” I tell her.
She starts to drag the chair over to the corner booth where there’s a large group of people congregating around one table. Then she comes back to my table. “You’re here alone?”
“Yeah,” I say with a shrug.
“Want to sit with us? You just have to bring your chair.”
For a moment I feel like I’m in high school and was just invited to the cool kids’ table. “You sure?” I ask, though I really hope she doesn’t change her mind.
“Of course. We’re all friends here.” She ushers me over, and I follow. “Everyone, hope you don’t mind I invited over a friend.” She turns back to me. “Blimey, I never even learned your name! I’m Lily.”
“Harper,” I say, the crowd taking me in. There are about ten people crowded into the booth, including Lily. They each wave and give a quick hello with their name.
“I suppose you aren’t here for Amelia and Theo’s destination wedding, are you?” says one of the guys, Archie, elbowing Theo.
“Oh, shut it!” Lily says. “Theo just proposed and there’s talk about an elopement, though I don’t think Amelia wants to get married in a place that requires a winter jacket.”
“I’d rather not,” Amelia says, sipping on the beer in front of her, a large diamond adorning her hand.
The group erupts into conversation, and though I don’tknow any of them, they’re easy to connect with. I expect them to jump into conversations that require knowledge of their long-standing friendships, but they pull me into each conversation like they’re making it their mission to include me. We all order our food and chat like lifelong friends.
“Will Harper get an invite to the wedding if it’s in Scotland?” Archie asks. While everyone else has been talking about options for the couple to elope, Archie keeps trying to convince them to make it a big wedding so there’s an excuse to party.
“Archie, just go on your own time,” Tom says. He’s the one sitting on my other side and seems to have a banter with Archie, which is rather amusing to watch. Even if I never add to the conversation, just sitting with this group of people would make for an entertaining evening.
“Maybe Harper’s never been to Scotland. She needs an excuse to go!”
“Have you been there?” Lily asks.
I shake my head. “Iceland is the first place I’ve been outside of the United States.”
“How do you Americans stand to stay in your own country,” Theo mumbles, and Amelia elbows him in the ribs. “Sorry! I mean, you don’t want to travel anywhere else?”
“Of course,” I say, biting into a French fry. My burger and fries are the best meal I’ve had on the trip so far, which is a hard feat since everything has been good. “In America, we have to get on a plane to go to most countries. Not all of us can drive a couple hours and cross a border or two.”
Everyone gives a soft laugh, but Tom turns to me.
“So how are you liking Iceland so far?” he says. His eyes pinto me, giving me his full attention. Though our table is rowdy, it’s like he’s ignoring the rest of them and it’s just the two of us, which is a nice change after how Luke has been treating me.
