Then, Luke drags us out of the restaurant to the next stop on this date night—the one he says is the biggest surprise.
We continue walking down Woodward until we come to an old, nondescript building that would otherwise seem unassuming among the buildings surrounding it, save for the wrought-iron marquee with soft orange lights illuminating theentrance. It looks like there’s a big event happening here, and a massive crowd of very well-dressed people is pouring inside. A bright red carpet has been laid out on the sidewalk, where people are gathering to take photos in beautiful gowns and suits. At first, I assume we’ll be passing by the fancy assembly for something else. But as Luke files us in line with them, I glean that this is our next destination, though I still have no clue what it is or why we’re here.
When I see the poster on the wall outside, I drag Luke to a stop, my jaw dropping at what’s advertised for the evening. ‘Detroit Symphony Orchestra: Opening Night Gala with Yo-Yo Ma.’
“Wait.” I gasp, and I have to read it again to be sure I’m not seeing things. “You’re joking, right? Are we really here to see this?”
“Surprise!”
“You’re not joking?” I search Luke’s face for any sign or hint that this isn’t real, but he’s entirely serious. “Yo-Yo Ma is here playing with the DSO tonight? Thecellist?”
“Oh, good! So you’ve heard of him?” Luke beams. “I wasn’t sure if you knew who he was when I bought the tickets, but I figured you'd still appreciate this even if you didn’t.”
I can’t help but gawk at Luke in awe. “When did you… Where did you…How?”
Luke cocks his head to the side and gives me a curious look. “I bought the tickets on a resale site from someone who couldn’t go last minute.” He shrugs. “I thought you might like it since I know you enjoy this type of music.”
My throat suddenly closes with a swell of emotion I wasn’t expecting, and I have to turn away, dragging a hand over my mouth as I contemplate his words and what they mean. Luke found out I like classical music on a lark, and we only really discussed it once, but it obviously made enough of an impressionthat he went out of his way to find something that I would enjoy. He planned an entire surprise date around it. I don’t know what to do with this information.
None of my friends even really know I like classical music, let alone would ever go to a concert like this with me. I’ve been too cowardly to drive downtown on my own to see the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, even though there were plenty of times I would have liked to. The last time I saw them live, I was sixteen, and my dad took me and my mom to watch them perform at some special concert in a park. I don’t remember where or what they played, only that it was one of the best nights of my life.
Now, I get to see them again, playing with one of my favorite contemporary musicians, and I didn’t even get the chance to freak out about it before we got here. Luke had no way of knowing any of this beforehand, let alone how much something like this would mean to me. Still, he noticed my interest and ran with it.
This is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. Like, specificallyforme. Who knew something like this could get me so choked up? Honestly, I think I’m in shock.
I can’t help but stare at the poster, then out at the crowd of well-dressed men and women who are all here to watch the DSO as if this isn’t the most earth-shattering thing in the world to them. But then, they all look like they belong here—like this isn’t a new experience for them. Suddenly, I feel incredibly out of place. Oh, god. Am I dressed okay? I don’t think I’m dressed-up well enough for this. I’ve spotted at least five fur coats.
“Are you okay?” Luke asks, watching me with uncertainty. “Did I break you?”
“No… Yes. But, no.” I chuckle, but I can’t hide the tears that come to my eyes. God damn, that alcohol from dinner is making me so emotional. It’s embarrassing. “I’m sorry, this is just…really sweet. Fuck.”
“Oh,baby,” Luke croons, and I barely have time to get over the fact that he just called me baby before he reaches for my face with both hands, brushing his thumbs across my cheeks. “I didn’t mean to make you cry,” he says, his voice wavering at the words.
I can see he understands what’s happening to me, even though I don’t know how to explain it, and that’s a dizzying concept as well. Luke lets out a wet laugh, wiping tears from his own eyes, taking care not to smudge his eyeliner. There are so many people around us, and we’re definitely making a scene, but I couldn’t care less right now. We’re having a moment.
I pull Luke down and kiss him, my arms around his neck. His hands find my hips, my stomach twisting with heat from his touch, and he holds onto me like he never wants to let me go. Putting our foreheads together, his eyes jump between mine, and he sighs happily.
When we pull away, Luke’s mouth curves into a satisfied grin, and he bends down again, kissing my cheek affectionately with his hand on my back. “I like seeing you come undone,” he whispers into my ear, his amused chuckle bringing my blood to a boil. He stands up straight and regards me with a glint in his eye. “Remind me to take you out like this more often.”
Suddenly, I’d be fine skipping the concert and dragging Luke to the coat closet instead. It’s only music. Who needs it anyway?
Somehow, I manage to find enough self-restraint to keep it together.
We pick up our tickets at will call, then head to the bar and get more drinks—beer for me, and red wine for Luke—before finding our way to our seats. We lucked out being seated on the ground level in the middle of the theater, with a perfect view of the stage. I’m blown away by how ornate the hall is, gilded ornaments and sconces adorning the walls and ceiling. I don’tremember the last time I saw the interior of a building look so pretty.
I’m buzzing with excitement, and I feel like I could burst by the time they dim the lights and the orchestra comes on stage. Luke must be able to sense it because he’s leaning on the armrest of his chair, holding his chin in his hand, silently shaking with laughter as he watches me. I can tell he’s enjoying my enthusiasm, and somehow, being here with him, I don’t feel the need to hide it or scale it back. I just let it be.
Then, Yo-Yo Ma comes on stage to the sound of uproarious fanfare, and my heart races in time. Luke holds my hand in his lap, an anchor tethering me to earth, and I squeeze it. I don’t know why I feel so nervous, but when the music begins playing, everything else suddenly falls away.
These songs could play a hundred times on recordings, and it would never beat sitting in a theater hearing them live. There’s simply no contest. Feeling the crisp notes wash over me in the audience truly makes the experience. Even the slight buzz from the alcohol is sweeter here than if I got drunk and listened at home. I swear I can feel every movement in my bones. Every bow pull across the strings is like fire in my soul.
Watching the instruments being played is equivalent to seeing a masterpiece unfold before my eyes. The skill and precision needed to hit all of the right notes, infused with the fluid soul of the motions, make it so they come out feeling alive. The instruments are extensions of the musicians’ bodies, and they clearlyfeelthe music as much as I do. My entire being is connected to the sound.
Eventually, they break for intermission, and the house lights come back up. Luke turns to me and smiles, bringing our clasped hands to his lips, delicately kissing the backs of my fingers. I stare at him in awe. I’m waiting for the sign that this was just a dream.
“Are you happy?” Luke asks, the ghost of a smile on his lips.
“Dangerously.” I can’t help but laugh, and Luke chuckles. “But thank you. This has been the best day ever.”
