“What are you doing?” she hissed. “Someone might see you.”
Theo studied her, then lifted a brow. “I thought you don’t care what people think about you.”
“I don’t, but you need to. I thought you were trying to change your image?”
Theo frowned. “I don’t owe anyone an explanation for my personal life. I’m committed to my work, but outside of that, my life isn’t up for public debate.”
“Well, we don’t have to make it easy for gossip to start,” she said, exasperated. “Hey, let’s go on the Ferris wheel.”
Theo looked a little sick. "Heights and spinning. Two things I don’t love.”
Amber’s face fell. "All right." She looked around for something else that would give her the thrill she was chasing. The tilt-a-whirl? Lame.
"Wait," Theo said, grabbing her elbow and pulling her back around. "Let's give it a try," he said hesitantly.
She beamed at him. “Look at you, risk taker. Georgie would be so proud.”
“She can tell me how proud she is if this thing doesn’t fall apart while we’re on it.” Theo gingerly stepped onto the metal platform and closed the door of the cart that would take them one hundred feet into the air. “Are you sure this is safe?”
"Oh sure, permits, everything. It’s completely above board,” she said breezily. Ferris wheels had always captivated her. She craved the exhilaration and the little twinge of fear because it made her feel alive like nothing else did. To be suspended there, high above the trees, made everything else in life seem small in comparison. There was nothing like it.
Theo looked pale across from her.
"Here,” she said, handing him the lemonade. “I'll come sit on your side. It's a better view anyway.”
"No, you stay over there.” He looked alarmed. “We should keep the cart balanced." The cart rose higher and stopped, allowing more people to get on.
"Oh, stop," she laughed. "People have been necking on Ferris wheels for as long as they've been invented."
She settled down next to him. Theo's body was tense, and he held onto the bar next to him so hard his knuckles were white.
"How long is the ride?"
“This is one of the longest ones. That's why it's my favorite."
"Great," he said. With a creak, the Ferris wheel rose higher. Theo stared straight ahead. His jaw ticked.
"What can you see on your side?" She felt him breath insharply against her. "Just look, Theo. You're going to waste your chance to see this beautiful view of our town. Let yourself enjoy it." She leaned next to him, watching the top of the red and white striped tents flutter in the evening breeze. The sweet scent of popcorn and caramel corn drifted up.
The string lights around the stage below made everything softly glow along with the neon lights from the rides. She spotted Sammy and Holly walking around, and she could've sworn she saw them holding hands. She smiled to herself. Young love. So cute.
He sat back, paler than before. He needed a distraction.
“So, about that kiss yesterday,” she said casually. “That was in the top ten, for sure.”
Theo’s hands relaxed a little on the side of the cart. “It was better than top ten.”
“Eh,” she said flippantly. “I’ve had better.” She hadn’t.
Theo didn’t look nervous at all now. He looked smug. “Top five, at least.”
“You know how to use your tongue. I'll give you that,” she added grudgingly. Credit where it was due and all. “Hey, I know what we can do up here. Let's play truth or dare.”
Theo's face turned wary.
“Just say ‘truth.’” She rolled her eyes. “We both know you’ll never pick dare.”
“Baby steps. I’m on the wheel of death, aren’t I? Truth," he said.
