Page 23 of Love is a Roller Coaster

I look over at him in shock. “No way.”

He nods. “Crazy, right? I heard she’s paid the most out of everyone who works here.”

“I would hope so.” I should look back at the show, enjoy the last few minutes of fireworks, but being held by Tyler in this moment, exactly the place I’ve wanted to be ever since I was a little kid, makes me emotional. The light from the fireworks dances across his face and lights his brown eyes.

He’s not looking away either.

“You know what I want right now?” I ask.

He studies my face carefully, then doesn’t waste another moment, dipping his head down and pressing his lips to mine.

This isn’t a kiss for the cameras. This is arealkiss. Just like the ones we shared five years ago under the stars, with the ocean waves crashing in the background. This time, the soundtrack to our kiss is the fireworks bursting in the sky.

We don’t linger, though, with all these kids and families around. He breaks away first, looking into my eyes. I smile at him, and he returns it, the dimple I love appearing in his cheek.

The crowd around us cheers, and I realize we missed the end of the fireworks.

That’s okay with me, though. We were making fireworks of our own.

I can barely keepmy eyes open on the drive back, but Tyler doesn’t press me for conversation. He puts on StellaKnight’s newest album and I let myself relax into it. I’m in some half-awake state, where I keep reliving my favorite moments of the day and melting into imaginary scenarios that didn’t actually happen. All too soon, we pull into the parking lot of the inn.

“Want me to carry you?” Tyler asks, a teasing glint in his eyes.

“No, thank you,” I reply with a laugh. “I’m capable of walking on my own.” I wiggle my feet. “Especially with these incredible shoes.”

He lifts the side of his mouth in a grin. “I’m glad you like them. And I’m glad you wore them instead of those crazy contraptions you called sandals this morning.”

“Hey! I would have been… No, you’re right. I would have been miserable in those shoes.”

He chuckles, then gets out of the car and comes around to my side, opening the door for me. He holds out his hand to help me out, and I take it, feeling the flush of warmth that I’ve held all day by being next to him.

I must be a little more delirious than I expected, because he pulls me out of the car and I stumble right up against his chest.Not a bad place to be, I think. His arm wraps around my waist, my hands press against his chest, and I tip my face up to look at him.

“I have to ask you something,” he says.

I blink at him. I think I know what he wants to ask.Is this real?

The problem is, I don’t know the answer.

He keeps looking into my eyes, and I wait patiently for him to find the words. But instead of asking, he pulls me tighter to him and kisses me.

Slow and sweet, this kiss isn’t like any of the others today. We don’t have to worry about cameras or children watching. Or, for that matter, parents who are angry that a couple ismaking out in front of their kids. It’s just me and Tyler, the cars in the parking lot, and the sound of the ocean behind us.

He holds me tightly, like I’ll disappear if he loosens his grip. But I’m not going anywhere. Gently, he presses my back against the car, and with one hand, he plays with the back of my hair, sending shivers down my spine. His kisses are just like I remembered—gentle and soft, making me feel cherished and adored.

I melt into him, letting him hold me up, and we kiss for what feels like seconds but must be longer. Finally, he pulls away, looking me right in the eyes. “Brooke, I’m… I’m still in love with you.”

I’m still in my kiss-induced haze, and it takes a moment for the words to register. But when they do, I’m not sure what to say. I study his face, trying to get my bearings. There’s no response that’s going to work right now. I don’t know how I feel about him. Am I still in love with him? Have I still loved him this whole time, too?

“You don’t have to respond,” he says, reading my mind. “I just needed you to know that this is real to me.” He leans his forehead on mine. “And to get this one, perfect day with you is more than I could have asked for.”

I swallow hard. Today has felt like a fairytale, and I can’t separate what’s real from what’s make-believe.

He kisses me lightly on the cheek, then pulls away and takes my hand. “Let’s get you inside.”

I follow him to the inn, still in my half-awake, half-asleep state. He opens the front door and guides me into the lobby. “I’ll say good night here. You can make it up to your room okay?”

I nod, still unable to speak.

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