Heath did so, and then bent down. There were six apples in the barrel, making it more of a challenge for the apples to bob away. The stalks had all been removed to prevent someone from getting one easily. Heath zeroed in on an apple floating towards him. He took a deep breath and lowered his head in the water, blocking out the thought of how many people’s heads had been in this barrel today or teeth gouges in these apples before him.
Heath waited only a few seconds, before he felt the apple touch his cheek, as he brought his head to the side quickly trapping the apple between his cheek and the wall. Turning his head sideways and to the left, he was able to grab onto it with his teeth and pull it out.
Heath shook his head clearing the water from his eyes. Water soaked his head and shirt, but he didn’t care, seeing the excitement on Olivia’s face. Heath handed the apple to the man without looking at him, as Olivia stared at him in open admiration.
“I can’t believe you did it. I’ve never seen someone do that before.”
Heath’s chest swelled under her praise. Who knew bobbing for apples would be so exciting for her, or dare he hope, it was because of him, and he was finally making a good impression on her. “It’s all physics.” It was new for him not bolstering about himself, saying it was because he was the greatest. Olivia didn’t like it nor was it true. It was skill and physics, nothing more. He wanted to show her there was more to him than just bolstering about himself.
“A prize for the lady.” The man said thrusting the stuffed animal between them, ruining the moment, and then handing an already damp towel to Heath.
“No, thanks.” It was still warm enough out that he would dry on his own. That towel looked like it wouldn’t do him much good anyway. “Shall we?” Heath offered his elbow to her, remembering his rule.
Olivia beamed, holding the stuffed animal in the crook of one arm, as she hooked her other arm through his. “Where to next?”
Heath didn’t care, as long as he was with her. “How about the Ferris wheel?” It would give them some privacy to get to know one another and force them to be close.
Olivia’s blue eyes looked up at the wheel in question with trepidation. “I’m a little scared of heights.” She grimaced in admitting a fear.
Heath loved heights. Well, at least now. Growing up, he had never been higher than the second floor of most buildings. His parents didn’t like to fly or travel much. He could still remember his first plane ride. It had been exciting and scary at the same time. The plane was so high up in the air all he could see were clouds. During training, he had to jump out of planes, and he had to quickly get over any fear of heights, or he never would have succeeded.
“I used to be scared of heights, too.”
Olivia looked over in shock. “It’s hard to imagine that you’re scared of anything.”
“Thanks, but everyone fears something. Anyone who says otherwise is lying.”
Olivia looked away, nodding in agreement. “I never thought about that, but it’s true. Let’s go try this thing.” She said, straightening her spine.
Heath applauded her bravado. It took guts to face your fears. Heath guided her to the line and waited to get on the Ferris wheel.
“So, you said you used to fear heights, what do you fear now?” Olivia asked softly.
“Cut straight to the chase.” Heath chuckled.
“I’m sorry,” Olivia bit her lip. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want, too. I was just merely curious. You said everyone feared something, and I was wondering what someone like you could fear?”
“Someone like me?” He prompted. What did she think of him? Did he really want to know? He knew she found him appealing, but that didn’t mean that she liked him. She had already told him she found him rude and conceited.
“You know,” Olivia averted her gaze, sensing the trap she lured herself into and was trying to get out of, but he wouldn’t let her.
“No, I don’t.”
“Strong, handsome, a career, and a man that doesn’t seem to want for anything.”
“You know, I think that’s the first compliment you’ve given me.” He was finally making some headway in cracking that ice shell she surrounded herself in.
“Let’s just say you’re not as bad as I first thought.”
He could work with that.
It was their turn to get on the Ferris wheel. The seat wasn’t wide forcing them to sit close together. Heath could feel her from shoulder to knee.
Good thinking with the Ferris wheel suggestion.
Olivia kept her hands in her lap and pushed herself to the wall, but it didn’t allow her to escape feeling him. Heath kept his hands on his knees, so she didn’t feel uncomfortable. The seat wasn’t meant for his larger frame, and his knees pressed painfully into the bar in front of him. But for Olivia, he would gladly sit through this.
At first, Olivia kept up her brave face, but as they reached the top, her face turned pale white. Her fists were clenched in her lap, and he needed to distract her, before she passed out or something. “Commitment.”
