Page 135 of Power Play

The conversation disappeared beneath another competition, though the unease remained. Ryan continued acting almost exactly the same. He touched me, kissed me, bought me things I didn’t need, and held my hand whenever he could.

I had pulled back when someone asked what we were.

He noticed and didn’t punish me for it, but the small distance behind his eyes told me the moment hadn’t disappeared for him either.

By the time we reached the Ferris wheel, twilight had fully given way to night and the fairgrounds glowed beneath thousands of bulbs. Walter had been temporarily entrusted to a teenage ride attendant after Ryan tipped him twenty dollars and made him promise the panda wouldn’t be kidnapped.

“You realize you just paid someone to babysit a stuffed animal.”

“He’s family now.”

“You hated him an hour ago.”

“I’ve evolved.”

The gondola rocked slightly as we climbed in.

Ryan sat beside me instead of across from me. Our thighs touched immediately, and his arm stretched behind me along the seat. Once the safety bar locked, he pulled me close enough that I could rest against his chest.

The wheel moved.

From higher up, the fair softened into color and sound. Music drifted between the rides while children became moving dots among the booths. The lights blurred beneath us, red, gold, and blue reflecting against the dark fields beyond the grounds.

Ryan’s fingers traced lazily over my upper arm while I rested my head against his shoulder.

“This was perfect.”

“Was?”

“It is perfect.”

“Better.”

I smiled, and his mouth touched the top of my head.

“You went all out.”

“You’re surprised.”

“A little.”

“Why?”

I turned enough to look at him. “You don’t seem like a carnival-date guy.”

“What kind of guy do I seem like?”

“The kind mothers warn their daughters about.”

Ryan laughed. “Your mother definitely will.”

My smile tightened before I could stop it.

Ryan felt that too. His laughter faded, and for a second, the guarded expression from my conversation with Evan returned. He didn’t mention Crystal, though his hand slid down my arm until his fingers found mine.

“I wanted you to have a good night.”

“You succeeded.”