KAYLA'S POV:
He spoke up, glancing at me for a moment before looking back at his guitar.
"I don't know what songs you like or want to sing, but I can do the popular ones… like… My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion…"
"Something else…"
"Okay… All of Me… by John Legend…"
"Something else…"
"Okay… what about… A Thousand Years… by Christina Perri?"
"Yeah… that could be good…"
"Okay… so focus now."
He shifted closer, his voice softer, more patient.
"Repeat after me and focus on me. Lip sync with me, okay?"
"Okay…"
He started playing the guitar. The first few chords filled the quiet space between us, warm and steady, like a heartbeat I could actually hear.
"Heart. Beats. Fast. Colors and pro…mi…ses…"
"How to be brave? How can I love when I'm afraid to fall? But watching you stand… a…lone… all of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow…"
I followed his lips, syncing with his voice, my nerves slowly melting into the rhythm.
"One… step… clo…ser…"
His eyes flickered to mine, encouraging.
"I have died every day wai…ting for you… darling don't be afraid… I have loved you for a thou…sand years… I'll love you for a thou…sand more…"
The vibration of the guitar against his chest traveled through the air between us. I could feel it, not just hear it.
"Now verse two," he murmured. "Sing it slowly with me. I'll take it slow now, okay?"
I nodded, swallowing my nervousness.
"Time. Stands. still."
"Time stands still…"
"No," he corrected gently, smiling. "Time… stands… still. Beauty in all… she is."
"Time… stands still… beauty in all she… is…"
"I will be brave. I will not let anything take… away…"
"I will be brave… I will not let anything take away…"
"What's standing in front… of… me… Every breath… every hour has come to this…"
"What's standing in front… of me… Every breath… every hour has come to this…"
Our voices started blending more naturally now, the hesitation fading.
"One… step… clo…ser…" we both sang together.
"I have died every day wai…ting for you… Darlin', don't be afraid… I have loved you for a thou…sand years… I'll love you for a thou…sand more… And all along I believed… I… would find you… Time has brought your heart to me… I have loved you for a thou…sand years… I'll love you for a thou…sand more…"
His gaze didn't leave mine this time. The world felt smaller. Quieter. Just us and the music.
"Now keep your voice low like this…" he whispered.
"One… step… clo…ser…"
"One… step… clo…ser…" I repeated, softer.
"I have died every day… wai…ting for you… Darlin', don't be afraid… I have loved you for a thou…sand years… I'll love you for a thou…sand more… And all along I believed… I… would find you… Time has brought your heart to me… I have loved you for a thou…sand years… I'll love you for a thou…sand more…"
The last chord lingered in the air. My heart was still racing, but not from fear anymore.
From him.