"Wouldn't dream of it," he says before closing the door.
Sighing, I dump the burnt fries into the trash and turn around to put some fresh ones in the basket. I hear the door to Colton's office open a few minutes later, and I can't help but smile. We can't seem to keep our hands off each other, and it reminds me of the good old days.
It's so nice to have my Colton back. I just hope I can keep him forever this time.
CHAPTER 17
PENNY
IT'S SIX O'CLOCK on a Friday evening when someone knocks on my door. I finish straightening my uniform and rush to the door, thinking that it's Buddy asking me to come in early. Instead, Colton stands on the porch with a bouquet of flowers in his outstretched hand. I stare at the flowers and then look up at him.
"I wanna take you out tonight," he announces.
I stare down at my uniform. "But I have to work."
He shakes his head. "Buddy and I made a decision to close the bar early. Besides, everybody's at the fair tonight. Which is where we're gonna be, too."
"The fair?" I ask, my eyes lighting up in delight. Colton and I frequented the town event back in the day. We used to stuff ourselves full of funnel cakes and cotton candy and ride the roller coaster until we felt like throwing up. We were young and in love, and I would love to recreate that feeling with him again.
He smiles a crooked smile. "Yeah."
I tentatively take the flowers out of his hand and bring them up to my nose, inhaling their sweet scent. "So we're going out on a…a date?"
He nods, his smile widening. "Yeah. Is that okay?"
"More than okay." I step back into the apartment, and he follows. "Just let me change out of my uniform and put these in some water. Then I'll be ready to go."
Colton patiently waits for me to get ready. I change into my favorite pair of jeans, a fitted, charcoal, v-neck tee and a pair of sneakers. Nobody dresses up to go to the town fair considering it's in the middle of a large field that's mostly grass and dirt and mud puddles.
After putting the flowers in a vase, we leave. The moment we reach the bottom step, Colton pulls my hand into his. I'm smiling like an idiot as we walk hand in hand. Since it's only about a mile into the center of town, there's no need to drive. And the comfortable silence that surrounds us as we walk couldn't be more perfect.
As we approach the field behind the town hall building where my dad spends most of his days, I spot Buddy, Shelby Rae and Lillian waiting at the entrance. Shelby's eyes lights up when she sees me, and she waves emphatically.
I look up at Colt and see that he's wearing a big grin. "You planned all this?" I ask.
He nods. "Yep."
I can't help but smile too. A night of fun with friends is just what I need. All four of us get our ride tickets and walk into the fair. I've always loved the atmosphere that the fair brings --- the smell of food, the bright lights, the sounds and the people. Lillian opts for a kiddie ride, and pulls Shelby Rae and Buddy in the opposite direction of us.
"So what do you want to ride first?" Colton asks me.
I beam up at him and say, "The roller coaster, of course." That's what he always wanted to ride first, so I'm hoping that maybe it will jar some type of memory for him.
He pulls me towards the ride, and I can't help but love the way he hasn't let go of my hand since we left the apartment. Something strangely beautiful is happening between us, and I feel like I found my long lost love again. I can't help but float on cloud nine as we spend the night riding rides, eating food and playing games.
"Ferris wheel?" I suggest after we finish eating a funnel cake. I brush my powdered sugar covered hands on my jeans as Colton throws the empty plate away.
"Sure," Colton answers.
There's no line for the Ferris wheel, for which I'm glad, and we get the first open seat. The ride operator clicks the safety bar in place, and then Colton and I are lifted up off the ground. I grab onto him and squeal as we go up.
He chuckles and holds me close. "The Ferris wheel was your idea. Remember?"
I nod and can't help but laugh. "I'm afraid of heights, but I love the thrill."
"Oh, so you're one ofthose," he says sardonically.
"One of what?"
