I exhaled slowly and then smiled as I sat down. My fingers plucked nervously on the guitar as I strummed it. Adrenaline took over as I started my set and before I knew it, it was over and the crowd was applauding enthusiastically.

I was so proud and relieved as I stepped off the stage. My first performance had gone great. No one had snickered or booed. What more could an amateur musician ask for?

As I stepped down offstage I sat back down to listen to the other acts of the evening, letting the adrenaline slowly leave my body.

The MC announced Nate, and I felt my breath catch in my throat as this dark haired Adonis stepped onto the stage. His speaking voice had a soft quality to it, but his singing voice was incredible. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, his stage presence was amazing. He sang about love and loss and admiration.

I watched as he walked off the small stage and disappeared into the crowd. I turned back to the stage and sat for another twenty minutes before rising to leave. I had to get up early for class. I stood up and grabbed my guitar and headed towards the exit.

Just before I reached it, I stumbled into someone’s guitar. “Woah! Sorry.” I reached for the guitar laying on the floor at the same time as its owner. Nate. My heart stuttered but somehow I managed enough courage to speak, softly because people were still performing, “Hey, you were great up there.”

He stood up, his hands still holding onto the guitar. I released it and hoped he didn’t think I was trying to run away with it. “Thanks. You were great too. You have a beautiful voice.”

I blushed and pushed some of my hair behind my ear. When I glanced up his dark eyes were still looking at me. He was taller than I realized and I had to tilt my head back as he stepped outside with me.

“Want to grab a coffee or something?” he asked. My eyes searched his, a small smile played on his lips, his face was darkened from the scruff of a day old shave.

“We just left a coffeehouse…”

His lips turned up into a grin as he glanced away briefly and then looked back at me. “You’re right. I had three cups of coffee too.” He chuckled softly and tugged on his left ear, drawing my attention to it. I wanted to nibble on it and whisper into it. “Well, how about we go get dessert somewhere then?”