He helped me climb into the back, then settled beside me, opening the basket to reveal homemade sandwiches, fruit, even a bottle of sparkling juice.
I turned to him, overwhelmed. "You did all this?"
He nodded, eyes fixed on mine. "Yeah. I wanted to tell you, I appreciate everything about you. Your kindness, your smile, your ideas... your eyes. All of it, Ven."
My heart thudded hard, painfully sweet against my ribs.
He reached for my hand, his voice low but steady. " I love you December. I trust you, and I hope, someday, you'll be able to trust me too."
Under the glow of fairy lights, in the back of that ridiculous truck overflowing with flowers, rabbits, and way too much hope, I realized how much I wanted that as well.
He didn't look away, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
"There's one more thing," he said, a flicker of excitement in his eyes. "Tomorrow... there's a local fair. I've planned everything—rides, food, the works. Cotton candy, funnel cakes, bumper cars... even the kind of silly prizes you can't help but laugh at when you win them."
I blinked, caught off guard. "Really?"
He shrugged, "Yeah... I just... I want you to have a day that's pure joy. No worries, no fears, no past nonsense. Just us, laughing until our cheeks hurt, riding the Ferris wheel until the world looks tiny beneath us. I want you to remember what it feels like to be utterly, completely happy."
I felt my throat tighten, warmth pooling in my chest. "That... that sounds incredible."
If only I had known how the fair date would end I would have clung to him tighter. I would have kissed him with every ounce of desperation in me, kissed him like I could burn the shape of his mouth into mine forever.
I would have told him everything I kept locked inside—that this date, this night, was a gift I never thought I'd have. That the string of lights above us and the way his laughter wrapped around me felt like some impossible miracle. I would have toldhim I loved him without restraint, without fear, without waiting for the right moment.
But I didn't know. I didn't know fate was already weaving its threads tighter, pulling us toward an edge I couldn't see.
If I had known, I would have begged the loom of the world to stop, to leave him safe in my arms a little longer.
Chapter 28: Ferris Wheel Night
The fairground was already glowing when we arrived, strung up in a hundred colors like the whole sky had been captured and poured into lights. The air smelled of popcorn, fried dough, and something sugary that made my stomach growl before we'd even stepped past the gate. Children ran past us with glow sticks, laughter cutting through the hum of games and music.
"Behold," Ryder announced, spreading his arms dramatically. "The kingdom of fried foods and questionable safety standards. Welcome, my lady."
I snorted. "I'm honored. Does this kingdom also have bathrooms that aren't terrifying?"
"Too much to ask," he said, straight-faced, before slipping his hand into mine. His palm was warm, grounding, and it made my heart stutter just a little. We wandered first through the games. Ryder insisted on trying the ring toss, where he missed every single one.
"I swear it's rigged," he muttered, handing over more tickets.
"Or maybe you just have terrible aim," I teased.
He narrowed his eyes at me, then tossed another ring—miss. Another—miss. Finally, on the fifth try, the ring landed perfectly, and he turned to me with triumphant glee.
"Ha! You doubted me and now, behold, your prize!" He handed me a stuffed octopus with eight lopsided legs, presenting it like a crown jewel. I hugged it to my chest, laughing. "I'm positive it's rigged the other way because somehow I ended up with this."
"Exactly. Multi-talented, a little weird, unforgettable. Like me," he smirked.
"Wow. Bold of you to compare yourself to an octopus."
He dipped his head, voice playful. "Don't worry. My hugs have fewer tentacles but last longer."
I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks burned anyway.
Next came food, cotton candy that melted on my tongue, greasy fries we shared from one basket, and fried dough dusted so heavily with powdered sugar we were both covered in white streaks like clumsy bakers. Ryder laughed when I got sugar on my nose and reached out to brush it off with his thumb, the gesture so unexpectedly tender that for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
"Careful," I said, cheeks burning. "You're turning this into a dessert menu."
