“We’re fine, thank you,” Gavin said.
He signed the receipt and stood with an elbow out. Lila joined him, slipping her hand around his arm. They walked out of the restaurant and into the bustle of the city. People crowded the sidewalks, moving in every direction. Cars filled the streets, and somewhere not too far away, sirens went off. It was like a different world from their small town.
At the corner, he leaned down to her ear. “Don’t let go.”
Lila gripped his arm tighter. They crossed the busy street and eventually made their way to a calmer area. People still walked around, but they could slow down enough to take in their surroundings.
Night had settled above the city while eating. The street wasn’t dark though. Lights from shops, businesses, and apartments made it nearly as bright as mid-day. Lila pointed to the famous theater marquee lit up a few blocks away. When they reached it, he took her photo with the sign in the background.
“Oh no, you don’t,” she said, taking her phone back. She grabbed his hand and pulled him over to get one with both of them.
The smell of her apple shampoo invaded his senses, making it difficult to let go when done. He left his hand on her back as they continued walking. When she leaned in closer instead of a way, he wondered if that was what the past few years could’ve been like had she not hated him.
They wandered through the city, amazed that it didn’t slow down the later it got. After a while, Gavin led them toward the bar he decided on during all his research. It wasn’t one of the dance clubs with lines waiting down the block. No, he’d decided they’d try somewhere smaller.
“Wait,” he pulled her to a stop across the street. He dug the plastic card out of his pocket and handed it over.
Lila looked at the ID. “How did you do this?”
“I know a guy.”
She raised a brow.
“Okay, Dylan knows a guy.” He took a chance and slid his hand around hers. As they walked toward the bouncer, he whispered, “Just like at the movies.”
The bouncer took their IDs. His gaze turned skeptic, but he stamped their hands and let them pass.
Inside the door, Lila jumped in excitement. “I can’t believe we did it!”
“Shhh.” Gavin put an arm around her, tucking her in close. Against her hair he asked, “Do you want to get us kicked out?”
She giggled, and he rolled his eyes. The small bar held a couple dozen tables with patrons all facing the front of the room. A deep man’s voice rang out, singing along to the words on the big screen next to him.
Gavin glanced down to watch Lila’s reaction. Her eyes widened, and she said, “Look at you getting multiple things checked off in one go.”
Smirking, he led her to a small table before heading up to the bar. He tipped the bartender then stopped by the man in charge of karaoke before making his way back to Lila with their drinks. The instant concern in her eyes made him grin. He sat beside her, closer than necessary, and pushed her drink farther in front of her. “Trust me, Weston.”
She lifted the glass to her lips and took a sip.
The fizzy Coke nearly made Lila choke. At Gavin’s smug look, she shook her head.
“And what are you drinking?” she asked as he scooted his chair even closer.
He slid his glass over, and she picked it up to sniff. It looked the same as hers, but there was a distinct scent of alcohol mixed in. She took a sip. That time, she did cough.
Gavin took the drink back. Trying to hide his laughter, he put a hand on her back and leaned in. “Mine has rum in it.”
Lila shook her head. She never had the desire to go to parties or drink. It never appealed to her. But that weekend—the bucket list—was about stepping out of her comfort zone. The whole point was to do things she hadn’t throughout high school. With a deep breath, she reached for his glass again and drank a good portion of it in three gulps. She failed to hide the gasp and wince when she placed it back in front of him.
To his credit, he didn’t complain. He just grinned at her. “Wow, Weston, I’m impressed.”
She shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal before turning her attention to the woman who’d taken the karaoke microphone. Lila swayed in her seat as the woman belted out a love ballad. Gavin’s arm rested across the back of her chair, and she tried to focus on the singing to distract herself from the way he casually played with her hair.
When the song ended, a man called out, “Lila and Gavin.”
Lila’s eyes snapped to Gavin’s as he pushed his chair back and stood. With wide eyes, she took his offered hand and followed him up to the front of the room.
“You’re singing too?” she asked when he handed her a microphone and kept one for himself.
He turned her to face the crowd. “Of course.”
As the familiar music started, she took a shaky breath. She wasn’t sure if the light headedness was from nerves or the alcohol. But as Gavin started singing off key, she smiled. Nothing mattered but that moment. Just as she had her whole life, she picked up with the part of the princess, singing about a new world.
She glanced at Gavin, feeling more meaning in the words than ever before. The music slowed as their parts came together for the end, and he laced their fingers together. She couldn’t look away. Even as the music stopped and the crowd cheered, his hazel eyes held her mesmerized.
Another name was called, and Gavin took her microphone to give to the next people. Hand in hand, they moved back to their table. Lila’s throat tightened as she took her seat beside him. Something
