“Got enough room in there now?
“Yup!” She nodded as she popped her ‘p’.
We moved to the ice cream cart and grabbed our cones before sitting down on a nearby bench.
Cadence leaned over as she licked her dessert. “Look how straight that guy’s posture is. I bet he’s like a chiropractor or something.”
“What?”
“Do you see how that guy walks? It’s like someone glued a metal rod to his back.”
“Are you trying to guess his profession?”
“Yeah.” She cocked her head. “You don’t do stuff like that?”
“No, I do.” People watching was one of my favorite past times. I was just surprised that someone else, specifically Cadence, did it too. I thought I was the only one.
“I think it’s fun to imagine why someone else is in this exact spot, at the same time I am.” She pressed her shoulder against mine and pointed to an older man with a receding hairline who wore a pair of cargo pants that had seen better days. “That guy right there, I bet he is the clown that walks around on the pier making balloons for the kids.”
“Why do you think that?”
“His smile. I’ve never seen another smile so genuine and full of happiness in my life.”
I had to give it to her, she was right. The man walked with a pep in his step unlike any other. He smiled joyfully at everyone who passed him. It was clear he was living his dream.
“I agree. But why the clown?”
She shrugged. “The balloons hanging out of his pocket were a pretty good clue.”
I couldn’t stop the laughter that burst out of me. My entire body shook alongside hers as we watched the man continue down the pier.
“How do you feel about a Ferris wheel ride?” Cadence asked, taking the last bite of her ice cream cone.
“Not exactly my first choice in how I spend my time, but I could be convinced.”
“I wouldn’t want you to do something if you didn’t want to.”
“I’m going to assume you do, so let’s go.”
I stood and held my hand out to hers. Craving that connection with her body again.
“You don’t have to.”
But it was too late, I’d already made up my mind.
I purchased our tickets, and we got right on. It was the middle of the day, and the pier wasn’t too busy. I could only imagine how packed it was during the evening rush with all those young couples trying to see the sunset over the ocean.
Was Cadence into that kind of thing?
I didn’t have time for something like that today, but maybe…
What was I thinking?This was not a relationship. We weren’t starting anything new. There was no way she was ready for that. And I…
But as I climbed into the gondola, those thoughts went away. Excitement radiated from Cadence, her eyes wide as she looked out over the water.
“Wow. It’s so picturesque,” she whispered.
I was not too fond of heights. They gave me the willies, but I didn’t hate it at this moment.
