Page 44

When he’s finished gathering up our things, he drops the trash in a bin near the picnic table before reaching for my hand and leading me away from the food trucks, toward the sound of music. We round the corner and there is a little pavilion with a stage on one side and a dance floor on the other. On stage, a band plays older country songs and I pull Lucas to the dance floor where a few other couples are swaying back and forth. I gasp as Lucas spins me into his chest and places his hand on my hip as we start to dance along to the music.

“Hot damn, I guess you weren’t lying.”

Laughter bursts out of him and I can’t help but smile. “You doubted me?”

“Yes. Yes, I did.”

“I’m hurt,” he whines, bringing our clasped hands to his chest and I shoot him a disbelieving look.

“You know I have to ask where you learned to dance, though.”

His smile falls and our steps falter for just a second before he takes a deep breath and pulls me closer. Each time I bring up anything about his past, the tortured expression on his face kills me but I hope that I really am bringing him peace like he said I was.

“When I was a kid, I had pretty bad insomnia and Iris would stay up with me in the middle of the night to keep me company. We’d watch movies or play cards and she taught me how to dance.”

“Who’s Iris?”

“She was our guardian.”

My nerves rear up as the next question pops into my mind but I press on. “What happened to your parents?”

“They… they died,” he answers, looking away from me and my heart aches for him. I know his pain all too well and I know that nothing I could say right now would fix anything so I simply lean into him and offer him my silent support.

“What do you say we go on some rides?” I ask, peeking up at him and relief washes over his face as he nods.

“Let’s do it.”

The sky is lit up with oranges and pinks as he steps away from the ticket counter and I drag him over to the Ferris wheel to enjoy the sunset. In the car, he pulls me into his side and I cuddle closer, surprised by how much I’m enjoying the date.

“Hey, Quinn,” he murmurs on our second trip around the wheel and I glance over at him. “I’m sorry that it’s so hard for me to share my past with you but I want you to know that I’m trying.”

I nod. “I do know that and if anyone understands, it’s me.”

“If we’re taking things slow, does that mean I can’t kiss you?”

I smile as we reach the top of the wheel. “No.”

“I was really hoping you’d say that,” he whispers as he leans in and cups my cheek. Our gazes meet in the space between us and he smiles before leaning in and claiming my lips in a soft kiss. I melt into him, sighing as a feeling that I can’t quite explain rocks through me and when he pulls away, we’re both quietly gasping for air.

“One date isn’t going to be enough for me,” he admits and I nod.

“I know.”