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Fuck, Willow.

I regrettably remove my lips from his.

My head falls forward on his chest as I try to steady my heart.

“One thing.”

He waited.

My voice dropped as I gripped onto his shirt.

“When I come back next year….”

Silence.

“….don’t make me chase you.”

His hand slid to the small of my back before I felt him step back from me.

Three seconds later, the lights flooded back on.

He was gone.

I smiled to myself.

I couldn’t fucking wait.

NINETEEN

Next year….

Seven days before the carnival…..

I hadn’t planned on driving past the fairgrounds.

At least, that’s what I told myself.

Dad’s house was only another ten minutes away, and I could’ve taken the back road like I knew I could’ve.

Instead, I turned onto the main road.

And there it was.

The fairgrounds.

Even from the road, I could see that they were already preparing for opening night. Rides were going up piece by piece, strings of lights stretched between poles, and workers moved around the property carrying boxes, tools, and pieces.

The fair wasn’t even open yet

And somehow, my stomach flipped.

I slowed down.

Just a little.

I tightened my hands around the steering wheel.

“Get a grip Raven.”