Page 118 of Sterling Fight

Then I licked Genie to show her how grateful I am that she pulled me from my shell.

I’d been keeping my boxing to myself, for myself, and yet sharing it with my brothers took the thrill of the sport to a higher level.

Speaking of heights, I finally get Genie alone on the Ferris Wheel, which starts and stops as the ride fills with enough new patrons to warrant a few trips around the metal spiral.

“Did you know that proposing on a Ferris Wheel did not make the list of top places to propose?” Genie blurts.

I love how she’s so full of random information.

“Interesting.” With my arm along the back of the seat, I twirl a piece of her short hair around my finger. Chocolate and strawberry blonde. She’s my favorite flavor of the day.

“Proposing near a waterfall made the list, though,” she continues. Her hand rests on my thigh as the ride jolts upward then comes to an abrupt stop to allow new riders to hop on. She isn’t looking at me but out at the crowd of people lining up for the ride.

“Really?” I turn my head and arch a brow, reminded of how I told her my parents got engaged near Sterling Falls. “Cliché, right?”

Genie doesn’t strike me as someone who’d do anything cliché, but rather something outside the norm. She told me how asking me to my prom with the unicorn paper was now called a promposal, and she claims she’s a trendsetter for unique ways to ask someone to the high school dance.

“I always thought it was cliché to get engaged on the standard days. Christmas. Valentine’s. And while Paris or Greece might be great locations, there are plenty of other amazing locations to pop the question.”

My brows pinch, curious where she’s going with all this information. The Ferris Wheel starts again but then pauses once more at the apex. The entire world looks like it’s before us in the vibrant glow of carnival lights and the dim landscape of mountains in the background.

“I’m not fishing for a question to be asked,” she states, suddenly embarrassed by the topic. “Of course.” She shifts, straightening up a bit and setting both her hands on the safety bar.

“Of course,” I repeat. “Says the woman who is adamant she’s never getting married, but, also, already wears my ring.”

Her eyes lower to her hands on the safety bar which she drags apart and then pulls back together. “I wouldn’t say never.”

“You wouldn’t?” She has my full attention now.

“I mean, I can have a change of heart, right?” Genie finally turns her head and looks at me. Her eyes dance in the glow of the Ferris Wheel lights.

Has she had a change of heart? “Don’t you mean, a change of mind?”

“Maybe it’s both.” She licks her lips, staring into my eyes.

“Firefly, what are you saying?” I need her to spell out what she means.

“I think, what I’m trying to say is . . .” She blows out a long breath. “I love you, Judd.”

There are few times I’ve heard that phrase said to me, but never spoken with the emphasis and fear in Genie’s voice. Afraid I won’t reciprocate. Scared I don’t feel the same.

But I have loved this girl since I was ten. Pined for her from afar for most of my life. And then made a bold decision to ask her to be mine, risking everything to make that moment special.

So, at first, I have no response. I’m too stunned to speak. Struck dumb myself by the possibility that she could love me.

Then my mouth is against hers and she’s falling back in the bucket seat as the Wheel begins to drop, the ride fully beginning. I’m quick to catch her by the back of her neck and dig my fingers into her hair. And just kiss her silly. Kiss her with all the love I feel for her, too.

“I love you, too, firefly,” I murmur against her mouth. “Always.”

Always have. Always will.

Suddenly, Genie is kissing me back just as fiercely as I kissed her.

And we spin round and round on the Ferris Wheel until I almost feel dizzy with love.

“What are you doing?” Genie gasps, as I hitch her over my shoulder and smack her ass when we enter the house. It’s been a long day, but I’m wound up, especially after she said she loved me.

And now I want to show her how much I love her in return.