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She narrows her eyes. “You mean, you couldn’t stand the idea of me winning all the carnival games without you.”
Busted.
I glance at the stuffed panda in her arms and nod toward the game booth behind her. “Did you win that?” Emma scoffs. “Excuse you, I won it fair and square.”
“Hmm.” I glance at the rows of prizes behind the counter, then back at her. “Still not the biggest one, though.”
Her lips curve. “Are you really about to embarrass yourself again?”
I smirk. “Watch and learn.”
I hand the booth attendant a few bills and line up my first shot. Emma watches, arms crossed around her panda, amusement clear in her expression.
“This is going to be tragic,” she whispers.
I focus, roll the ball in my hands, and let it fly. It misses.
Emma bursts out laughing. I exhale sharply, shake my head, and try again.
Another miss. Now she’s grinning wide. “Okay, okay, I have to record this.”
I shoot her a flat look. “You’re enjoying this too much.”
She tilts her head. “You did say you wanted a rematch.”
Challenge flares in my chest. Fine.
“If I win,” I say, picking up the next ball, “you have to go on the Ferris wheel with me.”
Emma blinks. “That’s your grand wager?”
I nod. “Unless you’re scared.”
She rolls her eyes, but the pink in her cheeks tells a different story. “You’re not going to win,” she mutters.
I smirk. “We’ll see.”
I aim. Throw. The ball lands perfectly. The bell rings loud. Emma stares.
I turn to the attendant. “Biggest prize.”
He nods, reaching up for the massive stuffed lion that hangs near the top.
When I turn back, Emma’s still staring. “That… was luck,” she says.
I smirk. “Guess you’re riding with me.”
The seat rocks slightly as the Ferris wheel starts to ascend, taking us higher, the town shrinking below.
Emma sits beside me, her “new” stuffed lion wedged between us, and for a moment, we just watch the lights twinkle below.
Then she turns, eyes searching. “Why did you come here tonight?” The question isn’t light.
I glance at her, at the way the glow of the fair reflects in her eyes, and my chest tightens.
Because I missed you. Because I can’t stay away. Because when I’m not around you, I feel like something’s missing.
Instead, I say, “You dared me.”