“How many times have you been up here? San Francisco, that is,” she asks.
“More than I can count,” I answer.
“Have you ever been to Pier 39?”
“A few times. Took a date here once.”
“Oooo, a date,” Kelsey says in such an annoying tone. “Tell me more. I didn’t think Jack Parker dated.”
“Not my name.”
“A solid guess.” She smirks.
“It was a few years ago. We went out for fun and ended the night in my bed. Worth the inconvenience of coming down here.”
“Let me guess—since I won’t be ending up in your bed—this isn’t worth theinconvenience?”
“There’s always time for that to turn around,” I answer honestly.
“Not happening.” She pats my forearm. “But nice try. So, tell me, have you ever had a girlfriend?”
“Yes,” I answer.
“Care to elaborate?” she asks as we take a few steps forward in line.
“Not really.”
“Oh, is it one of those stories where she was the one and only girl to break your heart?”
We keep slowly moving forward as the carousel loads up. “No, actually. I was the one who broke her heart.”
“You were?” she asks. “Was she in love with you?”
“Yes,” I answer.
“And you weren’t?”
I shake my head. “I wasn’t. And I didn’t think it was fair to keep dating her if I knew the feelings weren’t going to grow in that direction, so I broke up with her. She threw a milkshake in my face and then stormed away.”
“Oh my God, she threw a milkshake in your face? What flavor was it?”
I chuckle. “Why does that matter?”
“Can’t be sure, but you know, details make a story.”
“I believe it was vanilla, another reason why I knew we weren’t supposed to be together. Vanilla milkshakes are boring.”
“Hey, no, they’re not. They’re the original. You’re not going to get another flavor without them. Don’t knock the vanilla milkshake.”
“Is that what you order?”
“Of course not.” She flips her hair over her shoulder. “Strawberry is obviously what I get.” I chuckle, and we make it to the front of the line, just to be stopped because the carousel is full. Kelsey turns toward me and leans against the gate. “What’s your milkshake order?”
“Chocolate.”
“Could’ve guessed that. You’re so predictable.”
I scoff at that. “And strawberry milkshake wasn’t predictable? All you have to do is say hi, and everyone knows you’re a strawberry milkshake girl.”
