Page 50 of The One Who Changed Everything

I nodded. “Yeah, Tiffany is coming to take over at four.”

Evan glanced at his watch. "Good. That means we’ve got time."

I raised a brow. "Time for what?"

A slow, knowing smile curved his lips, the kind that made my stomach flip. "You'll see."

Before I could press him for details, Tiffany arrived, breathless and bundled in a thick cardigan. "Sorry I’m late! The line at the caramel apple stand was ridiculous." She plopped her bag down behind the table and grinned. "Go enjoy the festival, Sam. You deserve it."

I hesitated for a second, then turned to Evan. "Alright, mystery man. Lead the way."

He took my hand, threading his fingers through mine like it was the most natural thing in the world, and together we walked through the festival.

The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting everything in golden light. The scent of fried dough and apple cider wrapped around us as we passed booths and games, the sound of laughter and distant music filling the crisp air. I couldn’t rememberthe last time I’d simplybeenat the festival instead of working through it.

"You gonna tell me where we’re going?" I asked as Evan steered me toward the quieter side of the fairgrounds.

"Patience, Sam," he teased.

I huffed, but a smile played at my lips.

A few minutes later, we stopped in front of the haybale maze. I frowned. "We already did this, remember?"

"Yeah," he said. "But last time, we had an audience."

Before I could respond, Sophia ran up to us, her friend Lola trailing behind. "Oh! Are you guys going in? Can I do it again?"

Evan chuckled. "I was actually hoping to get your mom lost in there for a bit."

I felt my cheeks grow warm at his flirtatious words. Sophia grinned, then nudged Lola. "Come on, let’s go find something fun before the bonfire starts."

As the girls darted off, Evan turned to me. "Alone at last."

I folded my arms. "And this is where you wanted to take me? Into a maze where there’s a decent chance I’ll leave you behind if you take too long?"

He smirked. "Not a chance. You’d miss me too much."

I rolled my eyes, but warmth spread through my chest.

We stepped inside, the walls of golden straw closing us in, muffling the festival noise. A few turns in, Evan slowed, letting his fingers brush against mine before taking my hand again.

"So," he said lightly, "did you ever picture this?"

"What?"

"Us. Like this. Together at a small-town festival."

I swallowed, my heart thumping against my ribs. "Honestly? No. I used to think about it, in the beginning. What it would’ve been like if things had happened differently."

Evan’s grip tightened slightly. "Me too."

A few more steps of silence stretched between us, the air thick with unsaid words.

Finally, he stopped walking. "Sam," he said, his voice softer now. "I know we can’t change the past. But I want this. I want us."

The honesty in his voice sent a shiver through me.

"Evan..."

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