Page 34 of Perfect on Paper

We were due at Space Mountain in ten minutes, and we’d started heading in that direction. I sent a quick location update to Ainsley.

She appeared just after Brougham and Winona entered the ride, holding one mostly clean stick, and one corn dog with a significant chomp taken out of it. She passed this one graciously to me.

“Hey,”I protested.

“Consider it my driving tax. Oh, Darc, can we go to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique after this?”

“Why?” I asked through a mouthful of mystery meat and batter.

“I want a princess makeover. I didn’t get to have one when we were kids.”

“I’m pretty sure there’s an age cutoff. You’re about a decade too late.”

Her face darkened. “This is such bullshit.”

I offered her another bite of my corn dog in consolation and she took it, plus one more, glowering the whole time. At that moment, I resolved to act as Ainsley’s shoulder devil the next time we passed a stall selling Minnie Mouse ears. Who cared if she never got the chance to wear them again? Shedeserved the commercialized, capitalistic Disney princess treatment that she’d missed out on.

With Ainsley’s help finishing what was left of my snack, we were soon heading down a red-lit corridor with flashing galaxy lights on either side of us, while a metallic robot voice overhead pleasantly warned us not to ride if we had a heart condition.

We’d just joined the end of the queue when my phone buzzed with a text from Brougham.

Getting on now

I’m in the line behind you. I’ll text you when we’re done. All ok?

Yup

See? He was fine. Bringing Ainsley and me all the way here as his safety net was nothing but a waste of money.

“How’s Romeo?” Ainsley asked, peeking over my shoulder.

“He’s doing pretty well. I’m hoping he lets us off early soon.”

“Not surprised. His face does half the work for him.”

“Still don’t see it.”

After we finished Space Mountain, Brougham directed us by text to Fantasyland to Alice’s teacup ride. Unfortunately, riding a roller coaster immediately after inhaling a corn dog wasn’t the best idea I’d ever had, and I told Ainsley in no uncertain terms I wasnotclimbing into anything spinning right now.

The sun had started stinging the back of my neck, so Ainsley and I found a nearby shaded spot under a tree. It only took me a few minutes to remember the problem with this ride. It easily competed with “It’s a Small World” for the music that got stuck in your head the worst. The same tune—“The Unbirthday Song” from the movie—played over—and over—and over again on a whistling flute-type instrument, high pitched and irritating and squeaky. I’d hoped I might have an update from Brooke by now, but there was nothing. She was probably meeting Ray soon.

As for Brougham, I was feeling more and more confident we had this in the bag. The realization made me shiver with pride and happiness, and something a little profound. I’d helped this happen. I’d directly contributed to the world having a little more love in it.

Even if itwasmy blackmailer I’d helped out.

I sent Brougham a check-in text, and he glanced down, pulled his phone out to check it, then slipped it straight back in his pocket.Well, gee. Don’t mind me, Brougham, I’m just literally here because you needed me to be available for advice at all times.

Finally it was Brougham and Winona’s turn to go on the cups. Winona was saying something to Brougham with an enormous grin on her face, and he pointed at the steering wheel then tilted his head close to hers while he replied in an intimate way.

I was so proud of him.

Ainsley and I wandered over to the fence to watch as the ride started. Now that they were spinning, we were pretty safe from being spotted. Next to us, Alice and the Mad Hatter—or, more accurately, their character actors—approached the fence.

Ainsley shrieked so loudly the poor actors jumped a mile.“Oh my god, it’s Alice!” She gripped onto the top of my arm. “I need a photo with her.”

Once the ride finished, and Brougham led an off-balance Winona to the exit, she excused herself to go to the bathroom near Sleeping Beauty Castle. Ainsley had returned, so I took that moment to sidle up to Brougham with her in tow. “You’re doing perfectly.”

Brougham leaned against a wrought-iron gate bordering a tree that looked like it belonged in a storybook. “So far, so good. We haven’t talked about the breakup yet, though. It’s a bit weird. Like, we’re acting like we’ve always just been friends. Should I bring it up?”

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