Page 105 of Dear Pink

His smile drops. “What? Not all in?”

I tear my hand out of his, stepping backward. “Gabe, I stink.”

Instantly his face lights up. “I don’t care, Pink. I want the whole you.”

My heart swells. “I want that too.”

I can’t hold back another second. I leap into this chest. Luckily, he catches me. Placing his lips on mine, I press my body closer. Every fantastic muscle touches me, and he feels exquisite.

Chapter 26 - Hannah

I check my watch one last time. The event begins in thirty minutes, and nervous butterflies fill my stomach. There must be giant monarchs taking over my gut because I’m ready for takeoff.

Libby wanted me to donate her freezer money to a charity I believe in, a contribution that would make me happy. Today is the culmination of all my hard work. I’ve done her justice with this event.

I glance around and the butterflies spring to life. But what if this day is a complete bust? What if no one attends but the volunteers? A party with no guests would be a travesty.

Gabe takes my hand, yanking me out of my torment. “Hey, Pink, you ready?” His grin makes me bite my lower lip. Grabbing my waist, he tugs me flush with his body and kisses my neck. It’s a light, teasing peck. He bends to stare into my eyes. “You’re nervous?”

“Did I make the right choice?”

“Hannah, yes. This celebration will be phenomenal. Libby would be proud.” I nod and he kisses me on top of my head. “Don’t worry. Everything is set, and we’re ahead of schedule. Gloria said they parked the snow cone truck in front of the two bouncy houses, and Mom and Dad arrived half an hour ago with a hundred pink balloons. They decorated the side parking lot and my sisters grilled a thousand hotdogs. I promise we’re ready.” He checks his phone. “Let’s do this.”

The butterflies go wild, but with more excitement than anxiety.

“Fingers crossed we ordered enough bikes.”

Gabe hugs me. “We have tons and with the extra funds coming from community sponsors, we’ll be able to order more and do this again.”

I draw him to me and give him a long, lingering kiss.

“What was that for?” Gabe looks dazed.

“For your support. Thank you.”

He kisses my cheek and leads me over to the others.

The school parking lot resembles Gabe’s adoption fair—minus the animals—with hundreds of bikes lined in neat rows. The school teachers and the other volunteers wear light pink T-shirts. Bright pink balloons mark the two entrances and streamers wave overhead. Hundreds of bikes in every color of the rainbow wait for their new owners. It’s a showroom carnival.

“Hannah, should I unload these boxes of bike helmets or wait until we empty a few?” Ghita asks with a knife in hand.

“You decide.”

I look at Gabe’s family, the elementary school teachers, and staff clustered around ten tables littered with bike locks, toolkits, and water bottles. “Thank you for your help. All of you.”

The crowd claps and their joy calms the butterflies inside.

“Dibs on the elephant bouncy house,” Gabe’s mom yells, heading to the jump area. “I love the toddlers.”

“I’ll take the moonwalk then,” Gabe’s dad says and follows Franny to the front.

As everyone scatters to their various work areas, Gabe wraps his arms around me, holding me to him. “Let’s work at the bike station. I want to help the kids find the appropriate bike size.”

“Definitely.” I kiss him, and we linger there for a few moments before breaking apart.

Hundreds of children arrive throughout the day with their families. They are bright-eyed and excited. Cheers and thanks continue as each kid gets a new bike and matching helmet. I choke up over the overwhelming gratitude.

Many of them have never ridden a bike before today, so Gabe suggests mini-training sessions on the side of the building. Gabe’s dad helps with the instruction while Gina cheers them on. It feels like Christmas in August.

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