The music starts. Light guitar, a simple beat. And then it’s my line.
I panic, watching the lyrics scroll across the screen. I open my mouth and…nothing.
Brody’s hand slips into mine, his gaze ducking into my line of vision. He takes a step, blocking out the rest of the crowd, filling my view, and suddenly it’s just the two of us.
And somehow, I find my voice just as the chorus begins.
“So I’m gonna love you like I’m gonna lose you
I’m gonna hold you like I’m saying goodbye…”
Brody nods, encouraging me as I find my footing with each note. And when the second verse begins, Brody takes over.
And—
Wait.
He can sing.
Not professional or anything. But his voice is warm. Rich. And the lyrics?—
“I’ll kiss you longer, baby, any chance that I get
I’ll make the most of the minutes and love with no regret…”
A song about love and loss. About holding on to each moment while it lasts, even while the end is barreling toward you.
I think I could cry.
The chorus comes back around, and I join back in.
We’re not looking at the TV screen.
We’re looking at each other.
And the room disappears.
Just vanishes. Gone.
It’s just us. Just this song.
“Wherever we’re standing, I won’t take you for granted
’Cause we’ll never know when, when we’ll run out of time…”
My voice is failing by the end, rasping out each word. It feels like Barcelona all over again, that heavy heartache, knowing all of this is temporary. It’s not even real.
Except, I think…maybe it is.
The song ends.
He still hasn’t looked away. The room is so quiet, I think you could hear my heart pounding.
And then?—
Brody’s hand cups my face. Gentle. Careful. Like I’m something that might break.
And then he kisses me.
