Page 17 of Until Kendal

I followed the sign. “We’re here.”

We parked, and she stared at the yellow-and-blue balloons in the park then looked back at me. “Just so we’re clear. Hot air balloons are supposed to be romantic and all, but we’re just temporary, and you don’t have to go through all the trouble.”

Perfect words. I offered my arm. “I want to impress you. So let’s get going.”

Hopefully, my family’s welcoming her into my life would ease her into trusting me.

ChapterTen

Kendal

I held on to the wicker basket when the guy running the flame of the balloon let the weights go. My body tensed as we launched, and Joel rubbed my shoulders.

I forced myself to breathe. We continued to climb, but if I didn’t glance down and just focused on the horizon and Joel, I was fine. However, I did bounce on my feet and ensure the basket was sturdy.

I nodded at Joel, who opened the picnic basket at our feet and offered me apple slices.

I took them and crunched on the sweetness. He'd thought of everything. If this was a date, he would get an A. I half wondered if I should take the initiative and kiss him despite how he'd hedged earlier.

He took out his phone and pointed it down. I refused to look. I was a bundle of nerves.

He came back and showed me. “I snapped a picture so our engineers on a flight simulator can recreate the sensation.”

I bit on another apple slice. Once I was calm and able, I glanced up at him. “So this wasn’t just to impress me.”

His mouth opened. “It was.”

This was the once-in-a-lifetime trip couples did to get engaged, and we weren’t on that road. I picked up another apple. “Well, I told you I’m happy to give you any feedback you want, though I don’t play simulations much.”

He reached into the small bag and helped himself to one of the apples. “Too many possibilities for you.”

We both ate for a minute. My heart was getting full, which was a strange feeling, like a lovely pressure that set electricity through my body. I finished my bite then pointed to the basket. “The champagne is a nice touch.”

He went down to his knees and took out a bottle and two glasses. “I was trying to show off that with me life is full of endless possibilities.”

I paused. I had no memory of a man ever being so honest with me. The driver took the bottle to open it for us.

After he gave it back and Joel poured for us, I took my stem. “I realize you’re being cautious with me.”

He laughed and put the bottle in the bucket. “Yeah?”

Once he stood, I took his arm. Goose bumps grew on me from touching him, but I tried to ignore that. “I appreciate that you’re a gentleman. I don’t think I’ve ever met a single one.”

“Lucky for me,” he said, then we both took a sip.

Before I had a second to take control of the conversation, he asked, “So, do you like cutting hair?”

Good. Safe.I sipped my champagne and appreciated the green hills and river on the horizon. Wishing we had more than this temporary moment, I said, “It’s good to be there. I’m decent at my job, and my customers gush, but I think I’m there more for the female comradery.”

Maybe I needed to stop this waiting game. I held his hand to my face and batted my eyes, so we could move this along faster. He pressed his shoulder into mine. “So what are you good at? Since we’re not talking about what you enjoy doing.”

My heart raced like he’d read my mind. “We’re not?”

He whispered, “Something about you seems… hidden. So I’m curious what makes you smile.”

Our knuckles almost touched. Tension rushed through me. “Well, I enjoy helping my friends and my clients to keep it real and not get ahead of themselves.”

The balloon soared higher for a moment as we were caught in a wind. I held on to the basket with a newfound fear of heights. Or maybe it was just in a balloon but with the wind brushing against my skin. I refused to open my eyes. Adrenaline rushed through me, but I forced myself to breathe.

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