Page 64 of Espresso Your Love

“Something like that.” He grins.

My heart races as he opens the door for me, and I step onto the tarmac.

A rainbow-colored hot air balloon is being inflated.

“Ever been in a hot air balloon before?” he asks as his fingers intertwine with mine.

“Never.”

“Then it’s a first for both of us. Come on.” He leads me to the small building where we fill out the liability waivers. I made the mistake of reading the possibilities of what could go wrong and now my hand is shaking.

Ryan places his hand on the small of the back. “Are you okay?”

“Just a little nervous, that’s all.”

“If I promise not to let go of you, will that help?” He winks at me.

I nudge him playfully, and he lets out a deep laugh.

“You’ll be safe, I promise.”

“I’m holding you to it, mister.” I poke his arm.

We’re led outside to the balloon and meet the pilot. I climb into the wicker basket first, then Ryan. It is a lot larger than I anticipated, but that makes me feel more secure. Ryan grabs my hand again, and I smile. I love how he takes every opportunity to hold my hand.

The burner roars as the flame goes up, heating the air inside the balloon. The basket gently rises from the ground which continues to look small as we go higher. We rise above the trees and into the open sky.

“Wow, this is beautiful,” I say in complete awe.

I glance up at him, and he’s staring down at me. “Not as beautiful as you.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I shake my head. “That’s so cheesy, Ryan.”

“But it’s true.” His eyes twinkle in the morning light.

I roll my eyes. “If you insist.”

The world below us continues to get smaller as we go higher. It’s amazing up here and not as scary as I thought it would be. It could be because it’s just not that bad up here or because Ryan hasn’t let go of me and he makes me feel safe. I’m choosing to believe the latter.

“Have you always been good at planning these kinds of things?” I look up at Ryan. “I loved our date overlooking Meadowbrook and now this.”

He squeezes my hand. “Honestly, no. I’ve never done anything like that. But for you,” he shrugs, “it’s different. I want to make special memories with you.”

Is there a lack of oxygen up here? Or did Ryan Hayes take my breath away?

I guess Ryan’s cheesiness is rubbing off on me.

“Are you enjoying it?” He looks a little concerned now probably since I’m staring at him, speechless.

“I am. You know how to sweep a girl off her feet, Ryan Hayes.”

“I’m normally not this smooth.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“I guess you bring it out of me.”

“I’ll just thank me for this wonderful date, then.” I laugh and so does he.

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