The lights change colors and a soft ballad plays while it moves. It is by far the tallest ride here, yet I’m not scared by the prospect of riding it. We get to the front of the line, and the attendant holds out his hand for tickets. I didn’t even think to grab any, but my sudden date hands him two before I can even riffle through my pockets. He leads me up the stairs and lets me sit in the cart first before sliding in next to me. His side presses against mine, and once again I feel that spark, that invisible current whenever we touch. Our eyes connect, his crystal blueones race between mine, and I’m so captivated by them that I don’t even notice when our door is shut and we start to move.
“Um, you never told me your name.” I manage to form the question I’ve been most curious about, while I fight to breathe and nervously lick my bottom lip.
His eyes follow the movement before flashing back up to mine. “Finn.”
“Nice to meet you, Finn.” I hold out my hand to him to shake, and as I expected, a laugh falls from his lips, and it's the best sound I’ve ever heard.
Finn takes my hand and instead of shaking it, he holds it, bringing it to his knee. “I won’t say it's nice to meet you, baby, because I think we can both agree there's something more here than just a ride on the Ferris wheel. But I will say thank you to my best friend for taking his cousin’s offer to invite us tonight. Without him, I wouldn’t have met the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”
“That's pretty smooth.” My smile falters for a second while my head processes what he said and examines it closely.
Finn shakes his head slowly. “It’s not smooth, or a line. Just the truth. Tell me you didn’t feel something between us the second you saw me.”
My heart hammers in my chest, and a blush covers my cheeks. “I might have felt something.”
He laughs, and I watch mesmerized, while warmth fills my veins from the sound. Our bucket soars higher up until the rest of the fair is far below us. The sky is darker at this height, and the stars are shining brightly. I turn to Finn and find him already watching me.
“What’s your favorite color?” he asks, his head tilting to the side.
“Blue,” I respond automatically without meaning to. I like blue, but my favorite color has always been lilac, until now, untiltonight, when my eyes collided with his. “How about yours?” I ask, trying to divert the attention from me.
Finn’s gaze searches mine. “Red. Cherry red, like the tank on the motorcycle I’m going to get someday. But also…” His hand touches my jaw, and his fingers ghost over my bottom lip. I don’t have any lipstick on due to the fact that my lips have always been naturally a shade more red than pink, which is why I usually opt for just gloss or Chapstick.
The fact that he’s noticing though, makes me feel like I can’t breathe, and I realize for the first time that I hope he kisses me. I hope tonight is the first time I’ll feel someone’s lips on mine, and I want that someone to be Finn.
He shakes his head and glances down before looking back at me. “Favorite food?”
I laugh at his change of topic. “Ah, like regular food or fair food?”
“Interesting. Regular food.”
“Pasta,” I answer easily, not at all ashamed of my carb choices.
“Okay, fair food,” he quizzes again, and this time I really have to think.
“That’s hard. I’ll go with funnel cake, I guess.” I sigh dramatically and he grins.
“What’s yours?” I lean closer, really interested. I want to know everything about him.
Finn’s thumb moves over my knuckles while he holds my hand. “Fair food, I’ll go with a snow cone. I can easily put any flavor on it I want; it's the best. Regular food, a burger. I love anywhere I can go and get a huge cheeseburger.”
“So, you play lacrosse?” I ask, and watch his eyes light up again.
“Yup. I’m a middie. Or midfielder. Do you know a lot about lacrosse?” he asks, his gaze questioning.
My shoulders shrug. “I watch Jered and Russ play. Mostly to keep Angel company, so I know some things. Your position always looks the most exhausting.”
Finn laughs, and he nods his head in agreement. “Yeah, it's a lot of work. I love the rush, though.”
We fall silent for a moment, and a dark look passes over his face before he speaks again. “So, Jer is with Angel. Are you seeing Russ?”
My brow lifts, and I go to tug my hand back. “Would I be here with you if I was?”
Finn tugs my hand back, and my body slides across the bench and into his. Finn’s arms wrap around me, caging me in the small space. “I’m just glad to hear it, Daisy. I don’t share, and Russ seems like a good guy, so I’d hate to hurt him if I was stealing you away. But since you aren’t with him, I don’t feel bad for doing this.”
“Doing what?” My eyes widen after his speech, and my stomach swoops all at once. “And why did you call me Daisy?”
His eyes drop to my lap, and his fingers pinch the material of my dress. It's a soft, baby blue and sprinkled with daisies.
