“Ready?” I ask in a teasing tone.
He gives a faint smile. “Yup!”
Our food is delivered, and the hostess goes to the stage to welcome the first singer, a woman named Amie who sings an acoustic version of “Somebody to Love.” We eat at our table, watching the different people come up to sing their songs. I sneak a few glances over to Luke and his face is paler than I’ve ever seen it. He looks at the man now singing on stage in another language, but his eyes are glazed over like he isn’t really listening. The song ends, and when the crowd starts clapping, Luke snaps out of it.
He takes a bite of his fries and then pushes his plate away. His burger is mostly untouched.
“Alright, next up is Luke, who comes to us from the United States,” the hostess announces.
My eyes return to Luke as he pushes himself up from the table. He takes a quick, deep breath and gives me his best smile.
“Good luck,” I say as the crowd gives him a round of applause.
I’ve never seen Luke so nervous before. Part of me feels like I should tell him he doesn’t have to do this, but my curiosity is winning out and wants to know what his singing sounds like.
When he gets to the stage, he grabs the guitar and strums softly, like he’s testing it. Someone brings him a stool and sits it in front of the mic. Luke gives a sheepish smile, adjusting the height of the stand.
“Hey,” he practically whispers, fidgeting with the guitar. “My friend and I have been here in Iceland for almost a week now, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a place more beautiful.” He pauses and finds me in the crowd. His posture softens and he smiles like it’s just the two of us talking. “So thank you, Harper, for bringing me here with you. This one’s for you.”
A few people at the tables around me twist to look in my direction. I feel myself go hot with the attention. There’s a little pang of longing as Luke starts to play the guitar. The soft acoustic strumming sounds like home.
Does he realize what he’s doing to me? The way he’s torturing me?
Any girl in the world would love to have a guy serenade her like Luke is doing. But he isn’t trying to serenade me. He just wants to prove a point and show that he can sing.
He plays a few bars, not opening his mouth to sing, and I start to wonder if maybe he won’t sing after all. Luke leans into the slow, steady rhythm, his face soft as he looks down, strums, and sings.
We grew up like this
It’s always been bliss
Until you said no,
It just won’t go.
I followed you here
I’ll always be near for you
Yeah, it’s always been you
You say no
You’re afraid to let go
I’m scared to tell you
But I think I have to
And let you know
That’s how it should go
We’re running away
We’re just so afraid
To let it go
