Page 65 of The Last Time

Asher and I cheer at the same time while Brie looks between the two of us.

“You guys won,” Asher says.

“We did it!” Brie cheers, even though she clearly has no clue what is going on.

A large teddy bear the size of Brie is handed to Asher while her face is in total awe.

“That mine?” she asks, her big blue eyes taking it all in.

“It’s all yours,” I tell her. She drops the ducks on the ground, old news to her, and reaches for the teddy bear.

Asher picks up the ducks and hands them back to the man working the booth. I think she is able to keep them, but I also don’t think he’s trying to carry five rubber ducks around the rest of the night.

“More games?” She looks at me.

“Of course, more games!” I reply.

Asher just shakes his head while I start to lead the way with Brie in my arms.

After a couple more games, during which we win glow-in-the-dark wands for the Fourth of July and some balloons, Brie and I stop to get our faces painted with red, white, and blue fireworks.

I snap a picture at the end of the two of us smiling into the camera. Tonight has been perfect. I’m having more fun than I've ever had at a festival, and it’s all because of the company I have.

“I’m hungry,” Brie says to Asher as soon as we walk away from the face-painting booth.

“Me too, sweetie,” he replies, then looks to me. “Care to join us for some dinner? My treat.”

I smile down at Brie, who’s looking at me hopefully, then back at Asher. “I’d love to.”

Ten minutes later, the three of us are sitting at a picnic table eating corn dogs on a stick. Brie is sitting on top of the table between us.

She has ketchup all over her face, but that seems to be the least of her worries.

“Yummy,” she says in between a bite.

“I agree. Yummy,” I reply.

Asher looks between the two of us, but I can’t quite figure out what’s on his mind. Every time his gaze meets mine, my heart turns over in response.

Asher has long been done with his corndog, so he leans over and takes a bite of Brie’s.

“Daddy! Mine,” she says as she tries to conceal her food.

My mouth falls open, feigning astonishment. “How dare you steal your daughter’s food?”

“I’m hungry,” he pouts.

“Well, you could at least wait to see if she finishes,” I reply in Brie’s defense.

“She’s not gonna finish that corndog.”

“You never know. She could’ve worked up an appetite after all of our…”

“I’m done,” she cuts me off as she throws her dog back in her paper tray.

He looks over at me triumphantly. “You were saying,” he mocks as he dramatically picks the leftover food off her tray.

Before he can take a bite, I lean in and take a big chomp off the dog myself.

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