Page 16 of Love is a Roller Coaster

“Disneyland,” I blurt, as if getting the word out fast will make it less painful.

His lips twitch. He’s fighting a smile. “And what made you change your mind?”

“I just…figure this trip is about whatIwant to do. And you’re right, I’ve always wanted to go.”

He doesn’t say anything. What is it about this man that makes me so off-balance I don’t have this problem with anyone else. But silence hangs thick in the air, and I rush to fill it. “I mean, if you haven’t found someone else to take the tickets already. That’s what I thought was happening with Brittany. So if you can’t go, I’m sure I can grab tickets online or something, it’s not like?—”

“I still have them,” Tyler says, finally putting me out of my misery. “And I’d love to take you.”

“You would?”

He nods, slow and sexy, and takes the tiniest step toward me. “I think it’ll be the perfect day.” He takes another step toward me and lightly brushes my waist with his hand. Shivers run down my spine, and the spot where his hand touches me feels like it’s on fire. “But I have one condition.”

“What is it?” My voice comes out all breathy.Composure, Brooke! Get it together!

His eyes run down my body and back up to my eyes. “You can’t wear anything like this.”

“I…what?”

He smirks at me, pulling his hand away from my waist. I miss it already. “Please tell me you brought some normal clothes. Shorts, pants, something. And shoes that don’t add any height.”

I blink, swallowing hard to process the change in subject. “Uh, yes. I have some shorts and normal shoes.” Truthfully? I don’t. But now I know my plans for today—shopping.

“Perfect.” He flashes me a grin. “I’ll meet you in the lobby tomorrow morning at six-thirty.”

“Whoa, what?” I shake my head. How early will I need to get up to do my hair and makeup? “Why so early?”

“We have to be there for rope drop. You get to be the first ones on the rides for the day. Trust me, on a Saturday in the summer, it’s worth it.”

I twist my lips to the side, and I see his eyes flick down to them. “Okay. I can make it work.”

“Great.” His eyes meet mine, and I feel like I’m going to melt under his intense gaze. “Can’t wait.”

chapter eight

TYLER

I’m pacingthe lobby at six-thirty in the morning, my body buzzing with adrenaline. Brooke and I will be spending the day together. All day. At Disneyland. When I was a teenager, this was my dream date.

Who am I kidding? It’s still my dream date. The time spent talking and laughing in line, the fast rides where she’ll maybe lean into me during the sharp turns, the slow rides where we’ll get to enjoy each other’s company, the fireworks…

It’s too bad they changed the seats on Matterhorn and Splash Mountain. They used to be set up so that two people straddled a bench, with one person in between the other’s legs. Now, everyone has their own individual seats.

Bummer.

The box in my hands slips, and I realize my palms are sweating. I wipe them off on my shorts just in time to see Brooke walking down the stairs.

I’m in trouble.

She’s wearing white shorts that showcase her long, tan legs, a pink t-shirt covered by an unzippedwhite hoodie, and white strappy sandals. She glances at me and smiles, but there’s a little nervous shake in her expression. “Hey!”

My tongue is a little tied because I take a moment to respond. “Hey, Brooke.”

After my mind comprehends how gorgeous she looks, I realize that this is still not the ideal Disneyland outfit. White shorts and a white hoodie? Those are going to get ruined pretty quickly. And the strappy sandals won’t last more than two hours.

Thankfully, I have a solution to the second problem.

I step closer to her and hold out the shoebox. “I think you’ll like these better than those sandals you’re wearing.”

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