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The sweet looks may have kept Maggie breathless and flushed, but she still wasn’t used to holding hands with anyone. While she appreciated how close Dean was staying and the attention he was giving her, her palm was sweating. She found it more annoying than sweet to have only one hand free. She still felt flushed, but the heat was the sweaty kind. Behind a tent selling hand carved walking sticks, she pulled her hand away. Dean glanced over, meeting her eyes.
“Sorry.” Maggie tried to wipe her hand on the side of her shorts without him noticing.
Dean’s eyes crinkled. “You don’t need to be sorry, Babs. You call one hundred percent of the shots. We don’t do anything you aren’t sure about.” He wiped his hand down his cargo shorts. “I was getting sweaty too.”
Maggie looked around, but no one was listening. “I want to do this right.”
“You’re doing it right,” Dean said. “This is the best date I have had in a while.”
Maggie had to agree with him. It was the best for her, too.
For lunch, they stopped by the food carts and grabbed an assortment of “the classics” as Cal referred to them. Maggie started piling her veggie dog high with meatless chili and onions but stopped. She was still planning to take a ride on the Ferris wheel. Still hoping for a kiss at the top. The least she could do for Dean would be to avoid the extra fragrant toppings. Then Dean handed her a paper dish full of steaming, fried pickles, and she remembered he knew her inside and out and added the chili, anyway.
After the hotdogs and pickles, Audrey and Maggie split a bag of neon pink cotton candy and a funnel cake. Dean shook his head as she picked up a bright red candy apple, but he gamely handed some cash to the woman selling the treats. The same way he’d paid for everything else she’d eaten and done. All without a word of censure.
“You don’t need to pay,” she said, mouth sticky with sugar. “I have cash.”
“It’s a date.” Dean tapped her on the nose. “Now tell me what else you want.”
The brightly colored cars on the Ferris wheel swung as it turned, standing tall above the fairgrounds. It looked a lot bigger now that they were standing in its shadow. Maggie wasn’t the most comfortable with heights, but they weren’t one of her triggers. And it wasn’t like she’d be up there alone. Dean would put his arm around her, snuggle her close, and her stomach would do somersaults when the wheel creaked to a stop. And then he’d kiss her. Maybe. Hopefully.
“I want to ride the Ferris wheel.” Maggie’s eyes snagged on Mac standing off to the side, chatting with his brother.
“Ferris wheel it is,” Dean said. “Wait here. I’ll go grab us tickets.” Dean nudged her with his shoulder and then strode off to the booth at the base of the ride. A teenager sporting a lime green Mohawk was manning the controls, looking more bored than Maggie would have imagined possible.
“Cal,” Audrey bumped her shoulder against Maggie’s with a grin. “I want to ride the Ferris wheel too.”
“On it.” Cal jogged after Dean.
“Aren’t you terrified of heights?” Audrey asked, her voice teasing. They both knew the Ferris wheel was the whole reason they’d braved the heat to enjoy the fair.
“Someone mentioned it would be romantic. Especially when we get stuck at the top.”
“Ferris wheels don’t always get stuck,” Mac said, watching the wheel turn.
“They do in books.”
“This isn’t a book.”
Maggie glared at Mac. This whole thing had been his idea. “I know it’s not,” she said, “but it’s still a great way to end a wonderful date.”
Mac scoffed.
“It has been a wonderful date.” Maggie repeated. “Dean is attentive and kind, and he doesn’t spend all day glowering at people.”
Mac unfolded his arms and stepped back from the fence. “You’re right.”
“I’m going to get on that Ferris wheel with my boyfriend.” Maggie felt a rush of heat burn through her. “And when that wheel stops at the top, I will kiss him because today has been a perfect date and it deserves a perfect end.”
“Boyfriend,” Mac nodded. “I thought this was your first date.”
Audrey was frowning at Maggie from behind Mac’s shoulder. Maggie wondered when he’d gotten so close. The burn from her anger centered low in her belly and made her stomach pitch and roll. It also stole the breath right out of her lungs. Her ribs expanded as she tried to suck in more air. Mac’s chest heaved, too, his breath panting over her upturned face.
“Please don’t ruin this for me,” Maggie said, and Mac’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. He took a step back and Maggie shivered as the cool air rushed into the space between them like a caress.
“I’m going to find the restroom,” he said before he turned and jogged away.
Maggie watched him go, willing her body to relax and her breathing to return to normal. Her heart was still galloping away in her chest.
