More than a Crush

Scene 16 : Music and shadows

The Hawaiian sun had just begun to set as we wrapped the last scene of the movie. The entire crew, cast, and I breathed a collective sigh of relief—months of hard work had finally paid off. Kenny, ever the gracious leader, announced that he'd organized a grand celebration at the most elegant restaurant on the island, a perfect way to wrap up our journey. As we arrived, I marveled at how everything had come together, not just with the film but with Zac by my side. It was a dream I never wanted to wake up from.

The restaurant was a luxurious tropical escape, with its high wooden ceilings, open-air ambiance, and soft ukulele music playing in the background. The cast and crew filled the large dining space, and Kenny made sure everyone had the finest meal to celebrate. Between bites of fresh seafood and conversations with Zac, Priyanka, and James, I overheard a conversation that piqued my interest.

A runner, one of the restaurant staff, was whispering urgently to his manager. "The band we booked just canceled... What are we going to do?"

I frowned, listening in a little longer as they worried over finding a replacement on such short notice. Without missing a beat, I leaned over to Zac, my lips brushing against his ear. "Hey, the band for tonight can't make it," I whispered. "What do you think about us stepping in and performing?"

Zac smiled, that familiar mischievous glint in his eyes. "You sure?"

"I think it would be fun. Besides, it's for a good cause. Let's make this night even more memorable."

Zac agreed with a grin, and we both excused ourselves from the table, much to the curiosity of the others. As we made our way toward the staff, I could see the stress on their faces as they continued to discuss options. I gently interrupted, giving them a small smile. "Excuse me," I said. "We couldn't help but overhear that your band canceled. What if we stepped in to perform instead?"

The manager looked surprised, almost as if she didn't recognize us for a moment. "Oh, no, we couldn't possibly ask you to do that. It's your celebration too. We don't want to disturb your night."

"We don't mind at all," Zac chimed in. "It would actually make the evening even more special."

The runner's face lit up with gratitude. "Are you serious? That would be amazing. Thank you so much!"

The manager, finally convinced, gave a nod and smiled gratefully. They quickly cleared a path to the small stage at the front of the restaurant, and the buzz of excitement rippled through the crowd as they realized what was about to happen.

Zac sat down at the grand piano, his fingers gliding over the keys to test the sound. He looked at me and asked, "What song do you have in mind?"

I smiled softly, already knowing the perfect song. "I was thinking... 'You Are the Music in Me.' It's always been special."

Zac's face lit up, and he nodded in agreement. "Perfect."

I took a deep breath as Zac began playing the familiar notes, the melody drifting softly into the air. The entire restaurant quieted down as people turned their attention toward us. My heart raced as I started singing the first lines. It felt surreal, standing there with Zac, the man I once admired from afar, now playing music with me in a setting as beautiful as this.

As we sang together, I saw how much this moment meant to him too—our connection deepened with every word, every note. It was just the two of us, lost in the music and in each other. The crowd watched in awe, their faces a mix of surprise and delight. By the time we finished, the room erupted in applause.