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We watch as the town's residents participate in traditional bonfire night games, cheering and applauding as they compete in sack races, apple bobbing, and three-legged races. The atmosphere is electric and charged with excitement.
The free drinks are the highlight of the night. I haven’t had alcohol in so long. I finish a full can of beer in one gulp.
“Easy with the drink,” Brandon says as he takes the empty glass from me. “You’ll pass out at this rate.”
“I have you to take care of me tonight.” I must be drunk already. My mind drifts back to our first meeting. I’d been so drunk and heartbroken that I didn’t care about anything. And then I met him, the father of my precious daughter.
Even if I’d never gotten to meet Brandon again, I would never have regretted that night, or the night we made love. Because I would never have had Kira otherwise.
A cheerful scream breaks out in the crowd. Brandon and I turn our heads in the direction of the sound. Our arms brush against each other, and my body tenses as a spark of electricity zaps between us.
I swallow hard. The air suddenly feels hot. I wonder if he feels the same way, because he doesn’t show it.
"Did you see that?" Brandon points to a group of children engaged in a fierce apple bobbing competition, their faces dripping with water and laughter.
I laugh, nodding in agreement. “They look like they're having a blast.”
“Yeah, reminds me of when I was a kid,” Brandon says, a nostalgic smile playing on his lips.
I turn to him, curious. “What was bonfire night like for you growing up?”
Brandon's gaze drifts to the bonfire, his expression thoughtful. “It was always one of my favorite nights of the year. My family would gather around the fire, roasting marshmallows and telling stories. It was magical.”
I smile, feeling warmth spread through me at the image of Brandon as a young boy, “That sounds wonderful,” I say softly.
"We never really talked about you," he says, crossing his arms and giving me his full attention. "You never mentioned anything about your family or childhood."
"Hmm, I guess not," I reply.
"You definitely didn't," he confirms.
I find it strange. Normally, I'm an open book when I've had a few drinks, but there are some things that I keep guarded.
"I don't have any siblings. My parents are constantly traveling the world; they don't really have a home."
He grins widely. "I honestly thought this story would end differently."
"How so?"
"I assumed you had absent parents or something like that."
"No, they were always around for me. They only started traveling after I turned eighteen," I explain. "They had to put off their own dreams and goals while they raised me."
"Your parents sound pretty cool."
"They are amazing," I agree. "They were incredibly supportive when I had my daughter Kira. They never pressured me for information about her father and just showed up to support me as a new mom. I owe them everything."
Brandon opens his mouth to say something. A man beside me suddenly moves, hitting me with his elbow. I lose my balance, raising my hand to grab whatever I can.
But Brandon catches me, curling his hand around my waist and pressing my body against his before I hit the ground.
Suddenly I feel my entire body tense up. His piercing gaze burns into mine with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine. If we were alone, I have no doubt he would try to kiss me. And I know I wouldn't resist - I would kiss him back eagerly, not stopping until our lips were sore and swollen.
My heart beats wildly against my chest as he steadies me on my feet. My hair stands on end, and all I can think about is how much I still want Brandon, despite everything that has happened between us.
In this moment, I realize that I may never truly get over him.
He gently tilts my face towards his with a calloused finger under my chin. "Are you ok?"
