I smile and suck in a breath.
I can hear kids laughing in the basket above us, or maybe below, I have no idea. The wind whips my hair in my face, but I don’t dare let go of his hands to right it.
“I used to be afraid of heights,” Ember confesses when we’re soaring through the sky, the momentum making me slightly dizzy.
“Yeah, right. I find that hard to believe. You’re a firefighter,” I remind him sarcastically, rolling my eyes, trying to even my breathing. My hair continues to tickle my face.
“I’m going to let go for a sec, hold onto my knees, yeah?” he tells me.
I nod. Ember pulls his cap off and places it on my head, tucking my hair behind my ears. His touch is dangerously gentle. His gaze moves to my lips, then back up to my eyes. “That should help.” He smirks, and I flush.
“So what’s this about you and acrophobia?” I clear my throat, trying to break the spell Ember’s gaze has on me. It is difficult to ignore how attractive he is.
“I wasn’t always this big strong firefighter.” He laughs. “I was ten, helping my father paint the house. It was Saturday, I recall, we used to do those father-son activities. Marcy just got back home from breakfast with my mom. Dad was painting the second-floor window panes. I couldn’t even bring myself to look up at just how far he’d climbed. Painting the panes downstairs... now that I could do.” He chuckles, lost in memories. I can’t help but smile.
“I remember my dad chatting about the game we’ll watch later, my mom’s hums through the kitchen window. Marcy was up in the treehouse I hadn’t so much as set foot in. It all happened so quickly. I mean, I know now that she was moving some furniture around up there and slipped, but man, it was fast.”
I held my hand against my chest, lost in his words.
“Her shrills filled the air; I looked up to find her hanging off the treehouse door for dear life trying to get back up, legs swinging in the air. Before I could overthink it, I bolted across the garden and climbed up the ladder against the tree. I crawled across the floor of the treehouse until I reached the open door. I couldn’t breathe when I looked down, anxiety clawed in my chest, but then I looked at Marcy and her frightened eyes, and none of that mattered anymore. I got her to swing for my hand, and I tugged her back inside to safety.”
I swallowed hard. I can imagine the kind of fear Ember is describing so vividly. The impulse to move, to do something even when paralyzed by fear.
“Hey, how about you look at my goofy face? That oughta help.” He chuckles. I open my eyes. I hadn’t even realized they were shut.
Ember smiles at me, a lopsided grin that makes my insides do flip flops—I feel a smile spread across my face. When we come to a stop at the top, I place my hand on his thigh, gripping on a bit too tightly. Turning my gaze to the horizon just over his shoulder, I see the old water tower. I wonder if I’ll ever have the courage to climb it one day. One thing at a time, I remind myself. The gorgeous hues of green the Springtime have painted the park are a vision. I even turn and look over my shoulder.
“It is so beautiful up here,” I gasp, taking in the colors of the sunset. “I don’t think I have ever seen Sunnyville like this.”
“It sure is.” His voice is low and gravelly, and when I look at him, he pins me with those dark expresso eyes which look almost obsidian now. A flush creeps up to my cheeks because I know he isn’t talking about the sunset. “Sunnyville is filled with beautiful things.” His lips quip up.
I realize my hands are digging into his thighs, and I pull them back into my own lap. I school my breathing, not wanting him to get the wrong impression.
I find myself enjoying the Ferris wheel ride. I even point out landmarks to Ember. I can’t wait to tell Brody he was right, that there is nothing to be afraid of.
“Thank you,” I tell Ember as we slowly make our descent. “For sharing what you did.”
“So are we going bungee jumping next?” He chuckles.
“Not in this lifetime,” I say, shaking my head.
He leans back against the wall of the basket and observes me. “It’s not anothen.”
I bite my lip. “One thing at a time, thrill-seeker.”
He laughs at that. “Hey, firefly, you owe me a game of pool. Wanna hang out tonight? Marcy could watch the boys.”
I shift in my seat. I don’t even know what made me agree to that the other night. The last thing I want is to create a perception. But when I look at his playful expression, I nod. “That sounds great if Marcy is okay with having Brody over.”
We ride the rest of the way in comfortable silence. We meet the boys and Marcy at the bottom, and I regale Brody of my tale of bravery. He is thrilled and tells me that it will be our new tradition, him and me on that Ferris wheel.
Marcy is more than happy to have the boys over for the evening.
After grabbing Brody a change of clothes and showering myself, I drop him off at Marcy’s.
Pulling into the driveway of her home, I notice Ember’s truck and him leaning casually against it, watching us drive up. I feel a flutter in my belly and wonder if this is a bad idea.It’s not a date. I tell myself as I put the car in park and jump out of the driver’s seat.
“Took you two long enough,” Ember complains.
