Page 21 of Love is a Roller Coaster

I hold my hand out to her, and she takes it, skipping like a littlekid alongside me.

The line for the photographer isn’t too long, but we have a few minutes to wait. I point over to the side at Snow White’s wishing well, which overlooks the little lake below the castle. “That’s where people get married sometimes.”

And then I kick myself. Should I even be mentioning weddings right now? She clearly spent the last few months, maybe evenyears, planning her wedding, and I open my big mouth and remind her of that when she’s supposed to focus on herself today.

But she doesn’t flinch. “Oh, that’s so special!” She keeps her gaze on that area, then looks around at the crowds. “But I don’t know if I’d ever want to get married here. It’s a little too public.”

I’m a little surprised. I would have thought a public event would be her ultimate wish. “No?”

She shakes her head. “Even the wedding we had planned was too much. Too over the top. We invited five hundred people.” She looks directly at me. “Five. Hundred. People.” She rolls her eyes and laughs. “I feel like the wedding was more about making a show than promising our love for each other. Well, that’s obvious. Because he didn’t love me.”

I still can’t get over how nonchalant she is. “Doesn’t that bother you?” I risk asking.

She bites her bottom lip and looks over at the wishing well. She waits a few moments before responding. “I don’t think I loved him either,” she says quietly.

Boom.

I’m not completely surprised, considering how she’s talked about him, but I feel like this leaves an opening for me I didn’t know was there.

Until now.

“Then why go through with everything?”

Her eyes flick over to me. “Because no one cared to ask what would make me happy.”

Themoment is charged and full of meaning.I’mthe one asking what would make her happy. Me. And here she is, with me, telling me she never loved her fiancé.

The photographer waves us over for our turn, preventing me from asking more. He scans our tickets on our phones, then directs us to stand in front of the castle. I put my arm around Brooke’s shoulders, and she puts her arm around my waist. It’s a friendly pose, nothing romantic, but the feel of her body pressed against mine fills my chest with warmth.

The photographer snaps a couple of pictures of us smiling. Just when I think we’re done, Brooke whispers in my ear, “Want to know what would make me happy right now?”

I turn to face her, I’m sure with a puzzled expression, but looking into her eyes, I know exactly what she means.

This time, it’s on my terms. I wrap my other arm around her waist. She puts her free hand on my chest, and I dip my face down to hers and kiss her.

Now that we’re not on a speeding rocket, I get to sink into her lips and really feel the moment. She tastes like citrus, and the softness of her lips makes me melt into her. I’m relieved she doesn’t pull away—after all, she’s the one who insinuated that she wanted this, but I think she’s enjoying this kiss as much as I am.

“All right, I think we got it,” the photographer shouts at us.

I break away from Brooke, a little embarrassed that we were making out in front of the kids’ castle at Disneyland, but her eyes are bright and full of joy.

“So! Where next?” She pulls me by the hand, and I shout a quick “thank you” to the photographer as we rush off to our next ride.

I’m ready to follow wherever she leads.

Brooke sighs happily.“This has been the best day.” She takes another bite of her ice cream and hums in delight.

I could watch her forever. Today has been all about what she wants, and what will make her happy, and it’s been incredible. After we took the pictures in front of the castle, Brooke wanted to go back to Fantasyland and enjoy the kids’ rides. It’s been busy, and the lines have gotten longer as the day has gone on, but we’ve enjoyed every moment together. Even when we’re both quiet, there’s a comfort in each other’s company.

She’s right. It has been the best day.

And we’ve been kissing. Not all the time, but whenever there’s a PhotoPass station with a photographer, we stop and take pictures, and always end with a kiss.

I want to talk about it, but I’m worried about pushing her away. Whenever I think about asking her, I remember she was supposed to get marriedone week ago, and I don’t need to be selfish right now. Just getting to spend the day together has been more than I could have asked for.

I’ve spent the last five years thinking about the girl who broke my heart, and now we’re here in one of my favorite places in the world, sharing kisses and holding hands. As much as I want to know if there’s anything going on between us, and if there’s an option for a future, I want to soak in every second I get to spend with her.

And now, at 9:20 p.m., we’re seated on a curb on Main Street, sharing a giant ice cream. She wanted mint chocolate chip, so that’s what we got. Thankfully, it’s my favorite, too. The fireworks are supposed to start in ten minutes, and we’re taking the opportunity to rest our sore legs and feet. I’m exhausted, but it’s all been worth it.

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