Page 12 of Love is a Roller Coaster

She was supposed to be here on her honeymoon.

So I do nothing. If she wants to make a move, it’s up to her.

“What are your plans for the week?” I ask.

She shrugs. “Seeing as it was supposed to be my honeymoon, we didn’t have a ton of plans. Just hanging out at the pool and walking on the beach. So I guess I’ll be doing a lot of that. But…alone.”

My chest tightens. I feel for her. Not that Canyon Cove is a terrible place to be alone, but if I remember anything about Brooke, it’s that she wants togoanddo, not just lounge around and watch the world from a distance.

I wish there was a way to do something with her, but I don’t want to be too forward.

My watch buzzes with a text. I read it—it’s from my sister.

Leila

I completely forgot that we had reservations for Disneyland on Saturday. Do you want to go instead?

“Sorry, it’s my sister,” I say to Brooke. “Is it okay if I text her back?”

Her eyes widen at me, and she doesn’t say anything for a moment. “Of course. Thank you for asking.”

With a quick nod, I pull my phone out of my pocket and type a reply to Leila.

Can’t you just reschedule for later in the summer? I know Oliver was so excited to go.

We’re literally booked all summer. We’re visiting Carson’s family next week and will only be back for the last week before school starts, but Oliver has gymnastics camp. Please, you’ll actually be helping me.

I hesitate, my fingers hovering over the screen, but she writes back first.

It’s two tickets! You wouldn’t even have to go alone!

Instinctively, I turn my head to Brooke. She’s blissfully unaware of my conflict, her eyes still on the ocean.

This could be a way to spend more time with her, though.

And I remember clearly that when we were together, five years ago, she told me how much she had begged her parents to take her to Disneyland. It’s only thirty minutes from here, one of the most popular day trips for tourists. But her parents thought it was too childish and wanted to spend their vacation here having “luxury” experiences.

Would she still want to go?

I clear my throat, drawing Brooke’s attention back to me. “So my sister just said they had reservations at Disneyland for Saturday, and now that my nephew has the stomach flu, they can’t go. She asked if I want the tickets. Would you…want to go?”

She presses her lips together. It’s not a no, but she’s hesitating.

I tilt the phone in her direction. “You can read the messages for yourself. I promise I’m not pulling anything on you.”

She quickly scans the messages from my sister, then twists her lips to the side. With her focus on the phone, I take advantage of the opportunity to really look at her. She’s so beautiful, the moonlight shining on her, her blue eyes glowing as she contemplates her next move.

“I…” She stops herself, straightening herself higher. “I shouldn’t.”

“Shouldn’t?” I repeat. “According to whom?”

Her eyes flash over to mine, then back at the ocean. “According to me.”

I wish she’d explain more. Is it because she thinks it’s too childish now, just like her parents? Or is it because she needs a relaxing trip?

Or does she think she shouldn’t spend more time with me?

Because maybe…maybe she’s feeling the same magnetic pull to me that I’m feeling to her.

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