Page 97 of The Lies We Told Ourselves

“Come on, Dad,” Cade shouted over his shoulder as they headed away. “I need you to spot me a twenty.”

“Spot him a…We need to stop letting our son hang out with Blake,” Trace grumbled as he followed them, digging in his pocket for his wallet as he did.

Delaney just shrugged. “I think he’s learning valuable life skills,” she argued.

“Forgotten about again,” Dex grumbled, sulking after the rest of them.

He was always the dramatic one of our group, but at least it broke the tension that usually always followed us around and had been strangely lacking for the last couple of days.

I looked down at Reece, who was still tucked under my arm, “Ready to ride the Ferris wheel, or do you want to go with the others?”

“Let’s do the Ferris wheel,” she said, looking up at it as her eyes glistened in the lights. “I’ve never been on one before.”

“How is it possible that you’ve never been on a Ferris wheel?” I asked as we got into the queue with everyone else.

She shrugged. “I dunno. I guess the opportunity never really came up.”

It was easy to forget that Reece hadn’t had a good time growing up, either. She hadn’t let it affect her, or at least not in any way that seemed to show. Reece was one of those people who always had a smile on her face and was ready to help everyone around her. I couldn’t help but wonder over the years how many times she’d let people help her, though.

That didn’t matter now because she’d found her way to Willowbrook, and when you lived in this town, there was one thing for definite. You were never alone.

“Make a hole, people!” Mrs. Shulster called out from the queue in front of us before turning to a confused-looking Reece. “Reece has never been on a Ferris wheel, and we need to rectify this injustice immediately.” She jostled the strange little dog she always carried in her arms, and it just flopped about lifelessly.

The surrounding crowd cheered, and we were ushered to the front of the queue. This was just like the people I’d grown up with, and as we were bustled into our seats, I realized I’d never appreciated how lucky I’d been to have them around me growing up.

“Was that dog…”

“It’s best not to think about it,” I told her, not wanting to get into the Titus situation.

“Take her twice around and stop for the view at the top,” Marie told the operator firmly, slipping him a five-dollar bill.

He looked at it disappointingly and then shrugged, reaching over to check the safety bar. “Hands inside the carriage at all times,” he half-heartedly said, and then we were moving.

Reece gasped, peering over the edge before she wiggled in her seat and giggled in excitement. “This is so cool.”

I missed the entire first loop. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She radiated happiness, her blond hair whipping up in the wind as we reached the top and then tipped her head back and stared at the stars.

“I wish we could have one of these at the ranch and ride it every day,” she whispered.

“If you want a Ferris wheel, I’ll buy you a Ferris wheel,” I told her earnestly.

There was nothing I wouldn’t do for this woman.

She laughed and nudged me with her shoulder. “Don’t make fun of me.”

“Who’s making fun?” My hand came to my chest in faux shock, and she giggled before I leaned forward and kissed her, wrapping my arm around her shoulders as I pulled away. “I’d do anything to see this smile on your face every day, Reece. To come down to the kitchen and see you dancing across the room. Finding your books tucked behind my couch cushions that definitely don’t belong to me, and your strange bottles and potions in the shower. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do if it would keep you at my side.”

“Booker,” she whispered, leaning her head against my shoulder. “I don’t need a Ferris wheel. All I need is you.”

“Move in with me,” I said, pulling her closer and running my fingers along her jaw, my thumb brushing over her pouty lips that always seemed to be begging to be kissed.

“I don’t know if you noticed, but I kinda already did. Or rather, you moved me in, thinking I wouldn’t notice.”

“True. But let’s make it official. Get you a key, your own hook by the door to hang your hat.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you lock the door.”

“It’s symbolic,” I whispered, finally giving in and kissing her softly. “Say you’ll be mine, Reece. Let me spend the rest of my life trying to prove to you that I deserve you.”

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