Morgan Scott liked her.
When her gaze dropped to Ali’s lips, she knew Morgan wanted to kiss her again, too.
The wheel spun around to the operator one more time. “Last go around if you want to get a last kiss in, ladies!” He followed that up with a knowing grin.
Instinctively, Ali pulled her mustard scarf up over her face to disappear from view.
Beside her, Morgan shook with laughter.
Ali peered right, catching her gaze.
“It seems when we’re on a Ferris wheel, we revert to being teenagers,” Morgan said. “I kinda like it. Being an adult is way overrated.” She licked her lips, then straightened up. “What else can we do that would take us back to being 15?”
Ali flipped her head back to the sky. “Smoke a fag? Order a takeaway with my mum’s credit card?”
Morgan laughed. “We could definitely buy some cigarettes. I’m not facing the wrath of your mum for anyone.”
The wheel slowed to a stop when they were halfway down the front. Ali shivered and breathed in the scene. It was still snowing, and somehow, being up high now took on a magical quality. She no longer feared she was going to die. Plus, she had an extra thing to live for now. Morgan Scott’s kisses and the promise of an illicit fag.
Moments later, the operator let them off with a bow. Morgan got out first, then turned and offered a hand to Ali.
It wasn’t the first time Morgan had done that, but it held extra meaning now. This time, when Ali put her fingers in Morgan’s, the jolt that went up her arm was brand new. It was big, bold, alive. Just like this moment.
Ali put one foot out of the carriage and was just about to follow up with the other when her trailing leg caught on the edge. Ali stumbled. But who was there to catch her? Morgan. Her hands were tight on Ali’s body as she righted her. Then their faces were inches apart.
This was so confusing. It was everything her 12-year-old self would want, and nothing her 35-year-old self could comprehend. Plus, was this even anything?
Ali shut her thoughts down. She wasn’t going to figure out whatever the hell this was standing on the platform of this Ferris wheel. That was borne out when the operator cleared his throat.
“Thanks ladies, if you could step away from the carriage now. I need to let the other customers off.”
Morgan blinked, then shook herself. She let Ali go and jumped down with a shy smile.
Ali followed.
They wandered into the market, neither of them saying anything.
Ali’s phone vibrated in her pocket. She got it out, glad of the distraction. She wiped a snowflake from her phone screen.
Please let it be a reply from my mum.
It wasn’t. It was from Imogen.
She clicked, and a photo of Imogen and another woman filled her screen, arms around each other. The message read: ‘Back together for Christmas! Thanks for making me remember that love is worth not giving up on!’
Ali spluttered. Well, this was awkward. She’d given up on a chance of anything with Morgan long ago, but now… No, she wasn’t going to go there. This was about Imogen and Sam, a couple with history who they’d unwittingly stumbled into and helped to get back together. It thrilled her they’d got their happy ending. Somebody should have one.
She turned the screen to Morgan, who blew some snowflakes from her face before steadying the phone in Ali’s hand. Her fingers wrapping around Ali’s once more was pure bliss.
When Morgan saw the photo and the message, a wide smile took up residence on her face.
“Did we do that?”
“If Imogen says so, then we did.”
“In that case, we’ll take all the plaudits. Both of us. Team Glass Half Full saved the day.”
CHAPTER17
