“Hello?” he answered.
“Hi,” a perky female voice rang out. “Is this Mr. Russell Long?”
“Yes.”
“I just want to confirm your arrival today at four o’clock.”
He paused for a second. “Confirmed.”
“Okay, thank you. We look forward to seeing the two of you later today.”
He looked over at me. “We look forward to it, too. Thanks.”
I had no idea what was in store for the day, but excitement rippled through me as he disconnected the call.
We spent the next hour joking with one another until we had tears in our eyes. I was so distracted by our conversation that I didn’t realize we’d made it to our destination until we turned into a massive parking lot. He started looking around with a goofy grin on his face as he pulled into a parking spot.
My eyes widened as I took in the large sign on the horizon. “Are you serious?”
He nodded as he turned the car off. “Very serious.”
“I was just talking about this place with my parents a couple weeks ago. I used to come here every summer with my family—at least three times a summer.”
“I remember.”
My brows furrowed. “I told you that?”
His smile grew. “You did. And you told me you hadn’t been as an adult.”
I’d told him that weeks ago as an offhand comment. I didn’t even remember until that moment. My heart thumped against my chest, and I shook off the feeling that washed over me.
“That’s right.” I cleared my throat lightly. “That was when you told me you were scared of E.T. as a kid.”
His smile dropped as he opened the door to get out. “I was four, and that muthafucka was an alien!”
Giggling, I put my hands to my face as Russ walked around the car to open my door. Staring over at the large sign, I felt a sentimental tug on my heartstrings.
“Magic World Amusement Park,” I whispered to myself, just before he helped me out of the car.
His eyes danced as he studied my face. “I love when you get that look.”
I smiled up at him. “What look?”
He cupped my cheeks. “That one.”
“I never know what to expect from you,” I explained gleefully. “You’re always full of surprises.”
“I do it to see your eyes light up like this.” He leaned down so his mouth was hovering over mine. “And I feel the same way about you.”
I inhaled deeply.
Before I could say anything in response, he dropped a kiss against my lips and then slipped his arm around me.
“You ready for this?” he asked as we headed toward the entrance.
I didn’t even answer with words. A childlike glee rippled through me, and I let out a little squeal.
Russ laughed.