“No,” Jett says at the same time I say, “Yes.”
“I was reminding him of the time he puked on the Scrambler.”
Audrey shivers. “You rode that? You’d gag when you’d spin me in circles when I was little.”
“The things we do for the people we love,” he grumbles.
“Audrey, you coming?”
She looks at us, and we wave her off.
“Go. Have fun,” I tell her.
“Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do,” Jett adds, and a smirk curves her lips.
I shake my head. “I sure hope she has a better head on her shoulders than we did.”
With Audrey on her way, we leave the ride area and walk toward the vendors. We move from booth to booth, admiring hand-poured candles, metal signs, kids selling candy for the rec department, where Jett buys a few Twix bars.
“Better eat them now,” I tell him. “They’ll be chocolate soup in this heat.”
He shrugs. “Not hungry, but wanted to donate.”
“That’s sweet of you.”
He slips his hand on my lower back, guiding me through the maze of people. Up ahead, we wave to Jacob and Abby Pierce as they pull a wagon with Clementine and Marigold through the crowd. What must it be like to experience this festival with a family? Watching your kids ride on ponies, sharing treats, and creating memories. It sounds like something I hope to have one day. Jett stops us at another booth. It’s a table filled with jewelry. Each one is intricate and unique.
My attention narrows on the necklace displayed on a black stand. I glide my fingers over the smooth silver, admiring the turquoise stones. Each one is uneven in the most beautiful, imperfect way. But it’s the center that captures my full attention.Bold pendant blooms—a small sunburst of turquoise petals set in silver, radiant and delicate. I trace the edges lightly, feeling a pull deep in my chest.
“Ah, looks like my necklace has picked a new owner,” the lady behind the table says.
“It’s stunning,” I reply, glancing up at the older woman with gray hair and sun-worn skin. “You do beautiful work.”
She dips her head in thanks. “You two make a lovely couple.”
Jett presses a kiss to my temple. “She makes us look good.”
I lightly slap his hard stomach. “Whatever.”
“We’ll take this necklace,” Jett tells the woman. “And those earrings.” He points to a dainty pair of studs with matching turquoise.
“Jett…” I start to protest, knowing these pieces aren’t cheap.
He brushes me off, slipping out his wallet and handing over his credit card. Reaching for the necklace, he carefully unclasps the clip. I gather my hair, lifting my locks out of his way as he slips the necklace around my neck, lining it up next to the one he gave me all those years ago. The silver is cool against my heated skin. I smile down at the pendant, admiring its beauty.
The woman hands Jett a bag with the earrings, which I take, tucking it in my purse to keep them safe. Once we get to Sunset Shores, and I have a safe place to rest, I’ll swap my earrings.
By the time we reach the lake’s edge, the water ski show is starting. People stand multiple rows deep while others sit on the wall separating the road from the walkway that winds around this side of the lake.
Boats roar to life, pulling skiers who cut across the surface in synchronized movements. The crowd cheers when one skier climbs onto another’s shoulders, creating a cheerleader-style pyramid.
I cheer and clap loudly. “I forgot how impressive this is.”
Jett slips his arm around my waist, drawing me closer as we walk down the pathway toward Sunset Shores. I feel him, but his mind doesn’t seem to be present. He’s in protective mode,coiled like a rattlesnake and waiting to snap, biting whatever threat he finds.
“Hey.” I nudge. “I love you, but it’s too goddamn hot to be this close.”
He grunts, eyes softening a fraction. “Sorry, I was—”
