Page 65 of Home of the Brave

“Oh, I haven’t been over there yet, but people were telling me they were really cool.”

“How about that,” Cambrie grinned at me. “You should join us.”

I shot her a look, which she ignored.

“You don’t mind if I become the third wheel?”

“Not at all.” She smiled and put her hand on my shoulder, pushing me next to him, then walked in front of us, “This way.”

She began marching, knees up and elbows bent, waving that little flag toward the white tents.

“This is her favorite holiday,” I felt the need to explain her enthusiasm, so he didn’t think it was about him.

“It’s a good one.” He moved out of the way of a running child and bumped into me. He grabbed my waist to keep me steady, then immediately dropped his hands back to his sides as we continued past. “Sorry, didn’t mean to knock into you.”

I nodded, not trusting my voice. His hands on me, those big hands that felt so secure, like I’d have nothing to fear with them around…

Stop.

He didn’t want me to fall over.

It wasn’t a caress; it wasn’t even about me.

He would have done the same for anyone else.

That thought made my stomach roll all over again.

16

JOSH

“You’re sure?” Victoria asked Cambrie for the third time.

“Yes, I want one more churro, then I’m going to meet up with some people for the fireworks.” Cambrie stood with her hands on her hips. “I can handle walking alone.”

“We can go with you,” Victoria offered.

“It’s not like I’m a small child wandering off. I have this,” she waved her phone, “and we already planned to meet up by the rollercoaster entrance at eight thirty. If I get lost, I promise I’ll call them or you.”

“Fine,” Victoria conceded. “I’ll see you tomorrow."

“Bye,” Cambrie danced away, merging into the crowd, but I could see the light-up stars of her headband bouncing until she turned a corner toward the food stands.

“She forced me to the parade, then dragged me here with her for hours, and now she’s ditching me.”

And I was grateful for that.

Cambrie was endlessly entertaining and kept us from having a single awkward or silent moment, but she picked up on me wanting alone time with Victoria and made it happen. The perfect wingwoman, and I’d have to thank her later.

“You said no spinning rides, but does that include the Ferris wheel?” It was enormous, bigger than the ones you’d typically see at a state fair, and I could only imagine the view you’d get from the top.

She considered for a long moment. "Technically it does spin, but you're not. You just slowly rise and fall.”

“Is that a no?”

“Yes.”

“Yes?”