“I never said I’d done this date before. Just that I know how to do them right. I know Arlo from working on the farm. He helps out at the fair every summer. Texted him while we were sittin’ over there.”
I glance down at the fair lights twinkling far below. He was right… there's something magical about being up here. My eyes flick to him. “Okay. Maybe this isn’t so bad.”
“And I’m not so bad either, huh?” he asks, voice teasing.
“Guess not,” I murmur, smiling—but I square my shoulders. “But don’t for a second think I’m leaning in for a kiss again. Last time was a mistake. Can’t believe I’m even talking about it right now.”
His expression changes, serious but gentle. “It wasn’t a mistake.”
I blink. “It wasn’t?”
“Sawyer… you think I didn’t wanna kiss you that day?” His voice is low, like it’s dragged right out of him. “I’ve wanted a whole lot more than a kiss from you since the second you smart-mouthed me in that trailer. But you’re my best friend’s sister. Can't do any of that."
“So, you can take me on a date, but you can’t kiss me?” I say, curiously.
“You deserve dates like this, Sawyer. You deserve better dates than this. I wanted to show you it’s about the fun, the little things… not the fancy steak, not the money. You can do better than your ex. And you will.”
I take a deep breath, letting the moment sink in. “Well, You were right about one thing. This… has been one of the best dates I’ve ever been on.”
He gives me that lazy half-smile, the one that shouldn’t get to me—but it does. I ease back against him, letting the slow swing of the ride gently rock us. The lights below blur into gold and pink, music drifting through the air like something meant just for us. I can feel the steady warmth of him at my side—his shoulder, his thigh, his breath—and it’s messing with me.
I never pictured myself here, with him of all people, and maybe that’s why it hits harder. I shouldn’t be this comfortable. I shouldn’t like how safe and dangerous it feels at the same time. But I do. God help me, I do.
And maybe that’s why it stings a little, knowing the second my shoes hit the ground, this bubble—this stolen, perfect moment—will pop like it was never real in the first place.
The ride eases to a stop, the lights of the fair still glittering in my eyes as we step off. For a second, I’m floating, like the world’s still tilted under me
But then I spot Honey. She’s standing a little ways off, pacing, chewing at her nail. My chest tightens.
“Honey looks stressed,” I murmur, already half-turned toward her. “I think I need to go check on her. You go ahead, I’ll get a ride back with her.”
He nods. “You sure you don’t want me to wait?”
I shake my head. “No, I’ll be fine.”
I take a few steps toward Honey, but something makes me stop. I turn back. “Hey, Trouble?”
He looks down at me, that unreadable expression softening just enough.
“Thank you,” I say, meaning it more than he probably realizes.
He tips his hat, slow and easy. “Anytime, Sawyer.”
And just like that, the moment is gone.
“You okay?” I ask Honey, who squeezes me tight once she sees me.
“You just answered my prayers. Thank god you’re here. I need a favor,” she says urgently, tugging me with her. I stumble after her, nearly tripping over my own feet as she hurries through the crowd.
“Uh—okay?” I manage, confused, trying to keep up.
“Milo’s about to bid in the kissing auction,” she blurts, eyes wide, words flying. “He wins it every year. I have to do this, and I definitely can’t do thisalone.”
We weave between lawn chairs and couples holding lemonade, her grip on me like iron.
“What are you even?—?”
“I already talked the girls running it into letting me be in it. I was panicking, hoping someone I knew would do this with me. And here you are. So it’s happening.”
