Page 122 of Scars and Crowns

Sara chooses the horse with the golden mane and then points firmly to the ones on either side. "You two sit there."

"Why?"

"So we're together."

Anamika smiles and climbs onto the horse beside her. I take the other. Sara looks between us and nods, apparently satisfied with the arrangement. At the ring-toss stall, I miss deliberately. Three times. Sara wins every round and immediately decides this is proof of her superior athletic ability.

"I told you," she says proudly. "I'm better than both of you."

"Obviously."

Anamika laughs. "You didn't even try."

"I was distracted."

"By what?"

I look at her. She catches the meaning immediately and her cheeks turn pink. "Yuvaan."

I smile. She shakes her head, laughing under her breath. We move on. Somewhere around the middle of the morning, we're waiting beside one of the smaller rides when I notice Anamika go quiet.

It's subtle.

Most people wouldn't see it.

I do.

The slight change in her face. The way her fingers curl against the safety bar. The faint tremor in her hand. I don't ask. I reach into my jacket. She looks at the chocolate I place in her palm. Then at me. "How did you know?"

"I always notice you, Daisy." Her fingers close around it. "I carry them now."

She unwraps it slowly. "Where?"

"Everywhere."

She gives me a look. "I'm serious."

"So am I." I tap the pocket of my jacket. "Every jacket. Every bag. There's one in the car too."

Her expression softens. "You actually carry chocolate around for me?"

"Of course."

"Everywhere?"

"Everywhere."

She shakes her head, but there's something shining in her eyes now that has nothing to do with the ride. "You don't have to do that."

"Why?" I hold her gaze. "If not your husband, who else is going to take care of you?." She looks down at the chocolate for a moment before taking a bite but I don’t miss the red of her cheeks.

Colour slowly returns to her face. Then, without making a fuss about it, she rests her head against my shoulder. Just for a few seconds. I don't move. I don't say anything. I simply let her.

Sara comes running back before either of us has time to make the moment into something bigger. "Come on! There's another ride!"

Anamika lifts her head. I glance at her. She smiles.

"Go."