When the wheel slows, stopping at the top, the world stretches out around us. There are a thousand lights below, millions of stars above, yet there’s only one thing I want to focus on. One person.
The moment is perfect. Too perfect.
But do they want it?
My chest tightens when Korie turns in my direction, and there’s something in their expression that makes my breath catch—a little bit hopeful and a whole lot terrified, but refusing to back down. Not like before.
I can sense it in them, the uncertainty. The desire. Like they’re standing on that same edge I’ve been standing on all night and they’re ready to jump now.
Korie’s gaze drops to my lips again, and this time, I don’t think.
If I think, I’ll ruin it.
I reach for them, my hand coming up to cup their cheek, my thumb brushing lightly over their smooth skin.
Their breath hitches. I expect them to pull away, like they had back at the play, but they don’t. They want this just as much as I do.
I lean in.
Korie does too.
The kiss is soft at first. Careful. Like we’re both testing it, afraid it might break if we push too hard. Korie exhales against my mouth, their hand tightening on my thigh, and the restraint in me snaps, just a little. I press closer, deepening it just enough to feel the shift in them as they kiss me back.
They open for me, the barest of brushes with their tongue along my lips, and I take it. I take all of it.
It’s… god, it’s everything.
It’s everyalmostandwhat-ifand buried thought I’ve ever had about them, crashing into reality all at once.
It only lasts a few seconds. The cart jolts before moving again, and we break apart, both of us a little breathless.
My head spins. I’ve kissed people before, plenty of people. But none of them—none—have ever felt like that.
Korie looks at me through their lashes, wide-eyed and uncertain, like they’re trying to read me and bracing themselves for… what exactly, I don’t know.
I don’t have words. I don’t think I could form a coherent sentence even if my life depended on it. So I do the only thing that makes sense. I lean in and kiss them again, quick this time, just a soft peck on the corner of their mouth.
But it’s enough to make their breath catch all over again.
We say absolutely nothing as the ride carries us a few rounds. Korie finds my hand and threads our fingers together, leaning into me.
When we finally reach the ground, the world feels slightly off-kilter. Like everything has tilted and hasn’t quite settled back into place yet.
Korie slides their arm around my waist as we step off, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. I wrap mine around their shoulders without thinking. We walk like that for a minute, neither of us saying anything.
“There’s only one thing left to do,” Korie says.
“Let me guess. Food?”
They pinch my side.
I yelp. “Hey!”
“Actually, no,” they say, already tugging me in a different direction.
They lead me down the same row of loud, chaotic game stalls we passed before, each one flashing lights and shouting for attention.
Korie stops in front of one, handing over the last remaining tickets.
