Page 53 of Perfect Imperfections

Yeah right, like he hasn’t done that already. Don’t forget, this is just for fun.

Her smile dropped a bit at the reminder. Sullivan made his position on long term very clear. She had to be careful not to get stars in her eyes where he was concerned.

The server came by to drop off water for each of them. Ellie took a sip, tapping her straw three times. Sullivan smiled, but said nothing, ignoring it as if everyone in the world drank that way. Her heart swelled a little more. This wonderful, understanding man was taking up far too much room in the pounding organ. She really needed to find a way to wall off the silly thing.

“So, tell me what it takes to be a zookeeper?”

She told him about school and how she never liked any subject except for biology. Combined with her love of animals, that led her to study zoology at university. Oddly, she found herself talking on and on, something she rarely felt comfortable doing around anyone. But with Sullivan…there was just something about him. A sincerity. He really seemed to care about what she had to say. He made her feel comfortable, wanted. And not just sexually—though he had made his desire clear on that front. When she was with him, she felt accepted for who she truly was. He had no idea how much that meant to her.

“And how about you?” she asked after talking about herself so much that their food had arrived. On plates, thankfully. “Is it really as hard as they say? Becoming a doctor?”

“Harder.” He laughed, digging into his artisanal deconstructed Cobb salad.

She ate her meal, listening with fascination as Sullivan described the long days and even longer nights on his path to working in the medical field. After dinner, Sullivan suggested taking a walk through the downtown area. Sunlight wasn’t as big as Denver, but it had a charming downtown with historic buildings, some dating back to the gold rush era.

They walked along the sidewalk, enjoying the brisk evening air. Sullivan held her hand in his and she couldn’t stop the big, goofy grin from taking over her face. The night was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

“Hey, look.”

They stopped, and he pointed to the end of the road where an old, abandoned lot was currently filled with lights, music, and carnival rides. The shouts and laughter of people drifted in the air, advertising the excitement of the event.

“It’s the Spring Fling Faire. I didn’t realize that was this weekend.” He smiled, the dent in his cheek making her heart stop. “Want to check it out?”

“Sure.” Like she’d say no to anything this man asked of her. Not tonight.

The street fair was in full swing. Sullivan purchased some tickets from the booth. Normally, all the loud noises and crowds of people made her feel anxious, but with Sullivan holding tightly to her hand, Ellie felt calm and safe. Amazing. They played a few games, losing terribly because those things were all rigged in her opinion. The smell of cheap beer and starchy fried food filled the air, mixing with the boisterous bluegrass music being played by a band of older men and women on a stage a few yards down. It was loud, smelly, and crowded. And to her surprise, Ellie was having the time of her life.

“Oh wow,” Sullivan pulled to a stop, his head tilting up. “I haven’t been on a Ferris wheel in ages.”

The lighthearted mood slipped from her grasp as Ellie’s heart stuttered to a stop. She glanced up at the large wheel full of swinging seats of couples. Terror gripped her hard and fast. In her mind, she saw a vision of her and Sullivan sitting in one of the chairs. They rose to the top, but she shifted in the seat, causing the lock to open and as they swung, they slipped out, falling to their death on the harsh pavement below, blood spilling out of their cracked skulls.

She sucked in a harsh breath, closing her eyes on the image. But she couldn’t stop it from playing out, over and over again, in her head. Why? Why did her brain do this to her? She knew it was an irrational thought. Something that would never happen. But still. The dark voice whispered that it could happen, and it would be all her fault.

Don’t check the food and the birds will get sick and die all because of you.

Don’t check the locks and someone will break in and kill your family all because of you.

Don’t let them hang up first and it will be the last time you’ll talk to them. They’ll die and it will be all your fault.

She hated that voice. Hated that it wasn’t a voice at all, but her. The monster who lived inside her brain.

“Ellie.”

He said her name softly, but it broke through her fog of fear. Sullivan placed a gentle hand on her chin, turning her head until she gazed into his beautiful, understanding eyes.

“We don’t have to do anything you don’t feel comfortable with.”

Damn, there is no way this man could be this perfect. He was so considerate and here she was ruining a wonderful night. No. She wouldn’t allow it. She was stronger than this. She’d worked hard to get where she was, and she’d be damned if she let her fears ruin a perfectly lovely evening.

“It’s okay. Let’s do it.”

He furrowed his brow. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Squeezing her hand, he gave her a soft, but thorough kiss and led them to the Ferris wheel. After handing the ride operator some tickets, they slid into a seat. Her heart raced, unfortunately not from the proximity of the sexy man next to her. The operator locked them in. She knew because she’d watched very, very carefully. As they rose into the air, she let out a small squeak. Sullivan wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close to his side. She snuggled into him, not ashamed to admit she needed some of his strength right now. They rose into the air, or she assumed they did, her eyes were shut tighter than Bingo’s when he needed his eye drops.

The slow swing of the chair as they rose in the air made her stomach drop. When the motion stopped, she slowly opened her eyes. They were stopped at the top. A breath of awe left her as she gazed upon the city lights, twinkling like a million stars scattered along the ground.

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