Page 31 of Love is a Roller Coaster

She steps closer again, so now she’s right up against me. “Say you’ll give me a chance to prove that I want you. That I love you. And that I’m not going anywhere.”

Her big, blue eyes plead with me, but it’s not like she even has to ask. She’s done more than I could have hoped for.

Is it a complete guarantee that she won’t run off? No. She could bail on her lease (and lose about $2000, based on her contract). She could quit her job or drop out of art school.

But for some reason, I don’t think she will.

And that’s all I need.

So I grasp her waist with both hands and pull her toward me, pressing my lips to hers. She squeals, then drops the folder and wraps her arms around my neck, kissing me back.

This is all I wanted. Brooke in my arms, her lips on mine, and hope for a future together.

Her lips are soft and she tastes like citrus. I want more. I move my hands to the small of her back, pulling her even closer to me. She smiles against my lips, then pulls back.

“I guess that means you’ll give me a chance?” she asks, a teasing lilt in her voice.

“Absolutely.” My voice comes out all husky, and I lean to kiss to her again, but she pulls away.

“Hey,” I protest. “I wasn’t done with you.”

She smirks. “Don’t worry. We’ll pick back up. But I have one more thing left in the folder.”

I wait as she bends down to grab the folder off the floor and pulls out two cards. She hands them to me. They have the words “Magic Key” on them.

“I got annual passes to Disneyland. One for you, and one for me.”

I look back up at her. “These must have cost a fortune.”

She shrugs. “I did the payment plan. It didn’t seem so bad that way.”

“At least let me pay for mine.”

She shakes her head. “No. It’s my gift to you. And it’s my way of showing that I see us together for the long haul. I’m not going anywhere. Okay?”

I lift the side of my mouth in a grin. “Okay.”

She beams at me, that huge smile I love so much. Stepping back into my arms, she says, “Now, where were we?”

chapter fifteen

TYLER

TWO WEEKS LATER

I’m surrounded by kids,balloons, and loud parade music. The parade floats travel slowly down Main Street, separated by costumed dancers grooving to the beat.

The Cinderella float comes by next, and a pang fills my chest.Brooke would have loved this one.

But she’s not here.

And I’m alone.

Cinderella is about to pass in front of me, smiling and waving at all the kids. I’m always impressed with how well they keep up their acting for what feels like forever.

“Did I miss it?!”

I turn and see Brooke, returning from her trip to the bathroom. A wide smile fills my face. “Just in time!”

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