Page 161 of Scattered Glitter

Utter mischief pours from him a split second before he casually shifts his weight, and in one smooth motion, springs up into a perfect backflip, his feet barely making a sound as he lands gracefully back on his feet. He straightens,dusting his hands off as if it were the easiest thing in the world.

Nicholas meets my eyes and chuckles, a pleased sound, clearly enjoying what has to be an awestruck expression on my face. The way he made it look so easy, so ridiculously cool? It’s unfair.

That’s twice I’ve rediscovered wonder in as many days, first with Levi and now with Nicholas.

“Your turn.”

“Nope.”

“Scared after all?”

This little fucker.

“Fine.” I glare at him as that competitive streak he’s already tapped into rises. “Show me what to do.”

Nicholas leads me to the step, positioning me with a patient smile that somehow has my nerves doubling. I glance at the kids who’ve been doing this like it’s nothing and then back to him, feeling slightly ridiculous. Except, he’s looking at me with that steady, encouraging gaze, and I feel a bit braver.

“All right…” he nods, “… lean back, trust me, and commit to the jump.” His voice is calm like he’s teaching me how to breathe rather than launch myself backward in the air. “I’ll catch you and guide you through it.”

I nod, swallowing thickly, the adrenaline sparking in my veins as I line myself up on the edge of the step. I bend my knees, glancing at him one last time.

“You got this,” he murmurs, his hands ready. “And I’ve got you.”

With a surge of determination, I jump.

My heart pounds, panic almost seizing me, but then his hands are there as promised, steady at my back, guiding me through the flip. The world spins as I twist, and for a moment, I’m not sure which way is up.

Myfeet hit the sand, a bit wobbly but solid. I stumble backward, and a laugh bursts from me.

I did it. An actual backflip.Without a pole.

Before I can think twice, I launch myself into Nicholas’s arms, a squeal of excitement bursting from my lips. “I did it!”

His arms wrap around me instantly, lifting me off the ground as if I weigh nothing. He leans back, taking me with him, and the world tilts as we laugh, breathless, exhilarated, and tangled together. My heart hammers against his chest, and in the tiny space left between us, his breath brushes against my skin, warm and scented with citrus and bergamot.

His green eyes blaze, catching mine with a glint of wonder as the air shifts. His gaze dips to my mouth, lingering there for a heartbeat… two… three. Time stretches, holding us in a delicate balance, before his eyes flick back up, filled with a question that makes my pulse stutter.

Yes, I want to kiss you.

“Hey, it’s my turn!” A kid yells, snapping us back into reality.

Nicholas clears his throat, and his hold loosens as he carefully sets me back on my feet. There’s a slight blush to his cheeks, his grin and hat both a little lopsided, as he leans in close to murmur, “Not bad for your first flip.”

I’m still catching my breath, but I manage a shaky laugh, feeling a warmth that has nothing to do with the sun on my skin.

Nicholas flashes me a grin, then turns back to the kids, all of whom are still buzzing in anticipation. He claps his hands together, calling them in for a quick huddle. “All right, team,” he says loudly, so it carries easily across the small group. “One last round, then we’ll call it a day. Everyone ready?” The kids cheer, scrambling back intoposition by the step. I watch as they do their last flips, Nicholas giving each one a high-five as they finish their turn. “You guys did awesome today. See you next week.”

As the kids dash off to their parents, who are waiting off to the side, Nicholas turns back to me, cap still slightly askew and sand dusting his legs, his face lit up with raw, unguarded joy. “Coffee?”

I smile back easily. “Yes, please.”

We walk silently over to a little coffee truck parked under a cluster of trees, away from the main playground. The air is warm, filled with the smell of fresh coffee and the faint sweetness of the pastries lined up on display. Nicholas glances at me, smiling, and a weird thrill settles in my chest that I try to ignore.

Definitely a crush.

When we reach the truck, he nods over to it. “What do you want?”

“My treat. Remember?”

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