Jared feigns disappointment dramatically. “I see how it is, always the sister over the best friend.” He throws an arm around Serena, pulling her into a smothering hug. “Your first date, I’m so happy for you.”
Serena shrugs Jared’s arm off. “You’re embarrassing me.”
“Have fun, you two.” Jared holds two fingers and waves them from his eyes to mine. “I’m watching your ass. I have eyeseverywhere.”
We’re cruising through the streets after getting off the highway. The sunset’s painted in soft pastels, and Serena’s tapping her fingers along to the current song, 8TEEN by Khalid, from one of her curated playlists. “You know,” she says, glancing out the window, “I was expecting a dinner date. Not a fair date.”
“Ah, but you’re underestimating me. We’re going to have pasta later, and we’ll be like the Lady and the Tramp.”
“Alfredo or red sauce?”
“Red, hands down.”
“Good, we’re just alike.” Serena chuckles to herself, turning her attention back to the window.
With a quiet chuckle, I say, “Okay, sunshine.”
Serena catches me staring, which forces me to cough to offer a brief distraction. “What?”
“Why do you keep calling me sunshine?” Serena asks, pulling out her phone and snapping a quick picture of the sunset. Her smile beams as she examines the photo.
Serena observes the picture on her phone, and there goes that infectious smile. It dawns on her like a light bulb flickering on at the realization of my nickname for her. “Oh, am I that obvious?”
“Not at all, you’re just my ray of sunshine.”
She smiles to herself, and I see blush start to appear on her face. She tries to hide it, as usual, but I can tell a part of her still wants me to see it.
“Too corny? Too cheesy?” I ask, raising a brow.
“Maybe. But I liked it,” she admits, her smile widening even more.
Minutes later, we’re at the Fall Fest. The annual community event is held in the fairgrounds area, right outside downtown Charlotte. The area is buzzing with colorful lights and laughter from nearby families and couples on their night out. Stepping out of the car, we’re immediately enveloped in the atmosphere of excitement and joy that surrounds us.
“Ready?” I ask with a grin, the thrill of the fair sparking in her eyes.
“Oh, hell yes.”
As we approach the entrance, I intertwine our hands together and lead the way through. I mentally thank myself for thinking ahead and buying our tickets and game credits online when I notice how long the lines are. Security is a breeze, and as we step inside, Serena’s eyes widen like a kid in a candy store. Neon lights from distant rides paint the night, food stands tempt with corndogs and funnel cakes, and nearby fair games clamor for attention with their barkers egging on passersby to join in the fun.
With her by my side, we casually make our way to the game booths at the Fall Fest. As we scope out the stalls, it’s a feast for the eyes: prizes suspended on walls, looking for new homes. Her laughter is infectious, and the challenge of winning her a stuffed plushie becomes my mission.
“Hey, wanna give these games a shot?”
“Sure, why not?” Serena responds with a grin, and I catch the sparkle in her brown eyes. “But just a heads-up, I’m not exactly a pro at this.”
“I got this, babe.” I tease, guiding her towards a ball-tossing game.
After paying the attendant with our game credits, I grab a ball, attempting a wild throw that goes completely off course, leading us both into a fit of laughter.
“You said you played baseball, right?”
“Yeah,” I admit.
“Good thing you quit,” Serena teases between giggles.
I go again, and with a bit more aim, the bottles tumble with a satisfying crash.
“And that’s why I was the pitcher, babe.”
