I’m not sure what sends me over the edge exactly. His furious expression? The utter ridiculous way he looks right now? The cackling children who keep trying to get rogue feathers to stick to him? Whatever it is, I can’t help but burst into hysterical laughter. I laugh so hard tears stream down my cheeks. Denver shakes his head at me, but I think maybe he’s fighting a small smile, and then he walks off like a sticky, feathery monster. He’ll take it in stride like he always does, but he’s going to smell like syrup his whole flight back. Maybe even for a week after.
The table wobbles again and I lose my footing. A strong hand flies to my hip, steadying me. When I look down, I freeze when I realize who it is.
Elias.
In his other hand, he has a to-go cup from The Icehouse with no lid. I can see the three lemon wedges floating on top. Sweet tea. A Goldie’s special. For me?
I use his shoulder to climb down and then I stare up at him. We’re close and there’s an energy buzzing between us. He clears his throat and hands me the drink.
“Spilled the other one earlier,” he says, voice rough. “Took me a minute to track down another one.”
A minute being hours, and we both know that’s not why he ran off, but all I do is nod. It’s been a stressful day, though it just got much better.
“Thank you.” I guzzle most of it because it’s hot and I’m parched from laughing. “Care if I take a break, Jessi?”
“As long as you don’t break my brother, I won’t break you. Enjoy your break, heartbreaker.”
I curl up my lip and Elias smirks. Being an only child myself, it makes me wonder how it was for him growing up with an overprotective sister like Jessi. I bet it was pretty awesome if I’m being honest.
“Want to go for a walk?” I ask him as I set the cup down on the table.
He nods and then offers his hand. My heart rate quickens. I eagerly take it, squeezing it to let him know how happy I am he’s here. We maneuver through the crowd, though I don’t know where we’re going. I can feel Elias guiding us someplace, so I let him. Once out of the expo, we walk along the grass toward one of the docks. It’s deserted because everyone is at BudgieFest.
“Your feathers are smeared,” Elias says, gesturing at my face.
I cringe at what I must look like. I’m drenched in sweat with face paint running down my cheeks. My hair is in a messy bun but there’s a million flyaways and they’re all sticking to my face and neck. It’s almost impossible to think someone proposed to me and I broke someone else’s heart while looking like a hot mess.
We reach the end of the dock and the breeze coming off Budgie Bay feels heavenly. He sits on the edge before offering his hand to help me join him. Once we’re both kicking our legs above the water, he lets go of a heavy sigh.
“I’m guessing you said no, huh?”
I nod and swallow. “Multiple times.” My knee nudges his. “Probably looked like a yes.”
“It did. That sucked.”
“Yeah.”
“You were crying,” he mutters. “Someone said you said yes.”
“I didn’t.”
He chuckles. “Kind of figured when I saw you cheering on the fire department for syruping and feathering Denver.”
“I was not cheering them on,” I say, feigning offense. “But it was funny. He wouldn’t leave.”
Elias is quiet for a long time, but I don’t rush him. I’m just happy he’s here with me.
“I can understand why he wouldn’t want to,” Elias finally says. “You’re probably the best thing that ever happened to him. He let you slip through his grasp.”
Elias’s words warm my heart, but I’m still upset at being abandoned by him when he thought the worst of the situation.
“You left,” I utter, hurt lacing my words. “Your sister almost killed me.”
He snorts. “Try growing up with her. My life was always in peril.” Then, he turns serious. “I’m sorry. I panicked.”
I take his hand and thread our fingers together. It’s nice. Really nice. Warmth spreads over my cheeks as if my face needs any more help melting off.
“I’m sorry it ruined our date.” I lean my head against his shoulder, careful not to get paint on his clean shirt. “I was having a lot of fun until then.” I shudder. “Well, until the budgie breeders ruined my day.”
