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I nod. “Okay.”

His fingers dive into my hair and he pulls me closer, pressing his lips against my forehead and I melt into him, my heart fluttering at the sweet gesture and when he pulls away, I have to fight the urge to yank him back to me.

“Sit,” he orders, gesturing to the picnic table. “I’ll be right back.”

Nodding, I sit down and watch him as he strides away from me, unable to wipe the smile off my face. It’s crazy to think about how much has changed in the last five days. Even thinking that stuns me. No matter how much I think about it, it doesn’t feel like only five days. It feels like I’ve known Lucas for so much longer and if I try to imagine how I would feel if we get nothing more than tonight, there’s an ache in my chest that I’m too scared to investigate. I think I knew, before I ever agreed to this date, that I would agree to a second and third and however many he asks me for… which is scary. I don’t like letting him have that much power over my emotions but if there was any way to stop it, I would have done it by now. My fear was so potent earlier this evening that I was ready to sabotage everything.

My phone buzzes in my purse and I pull it out, laughing at the text from Alice.

Alice:

Are you two crazy kids hopelessly in love and

married yet?

Me:

No, but I am having a good time.

Thanks for talking me down.

Sighing, I turn to look out across the fairgrounds. There’s a pond next to the picnic area and a lift strung out in the air across it, carrying folks from one side of the park to the other and a memory of riding it with my parents hits me. They died when I was eight and Alice was Brooklyn’s age so she doesn’t have the same memories with them that I do but sometimes, I think that’s easier. You can’t miss what you never had, right?

My phone buzzes again.

Alice:

That’s what I’m here for.

Have fun.

She sends a second text with a kissy face emoji and I smile as I tuck my phone back into my purse and stare out at the rides as the sun begins to sink below the horizon.

“Victory,” Lucas calls and I turn to him, laughing as he holds up two containers full of mini corn dogs, fries, and a drink tray with two sodas. He sets one of the containers and a drink down in front of me before sitting across from me and I nod.

“I admire your dedication.”

He winks. “Thank you.”

“Your time is up, though.”

“Oh, yeah? My time is up for what?”

I pop a fry into my mouth and study him as I chew. He arches a brow, fighting back a smile as he waits for my reply.

“We’re officially out on our first date and usually, on dates, people get to know each other so it’s time for you to spill.”

He nods thoughtfully, leaning back as he takes a sip of soda. “You think, huh?”

“I do.”

“And what if I disagree?”

Feeling playful, I dip a fry into my ketchup as I mimic his nod. “That’s your right but usually, girls decide if they’re going to agree to a second date based on how well the first date goes and being so elusive is a big red flag.”

“Elusive, huh?” he asks, looking out across the fairgrounds as emotion skates over his face.

“Just tell me one thing. Something real.”