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He could have let go. She could have moved her hand. Neither of them did.
Leila looked out over the carnival and focused on calming her breathing. She couldn’t focus on anything else because the heat from his touch jumbled all her thoughts.
Finally, it was their turn to get off. The car stopped, and they pulled their hands apart.
She gave him a soft smile. “We made it. Back on terra firma.” She stepped out.
He let out a big puff of breath. “Thank God.” Again, his hand was on her back. This time, she leaned slightly into it.
“So, was it fun?” asked Tristan as they made it back to the group.
Leila looked from Tristan to Adler and busted out laughing. “He was so scared.”
He backed away, his mouth open. “Seriously, you’re throwing me under the bus?”
She couldn’t stop laughing. “Come, on. It was so funny. The big bad Adler is scared of heights.”
“I wasn’t scared until you insisted on trying to kill us.”
“Oh, come on. I was just swinging us a little bit.”
“A little? Really? I think the hinges were creaking and were going to break.”
“You’re so overreacting.”
Tristan slapped Adler on the shoulder. “Well, she knows your weakness.”
“Correction.” Stacey laughed. “Everyone knows his weakness.”
They all broke into laughter, and Adler just glared at them.
“What did we miss?” asked Elizabeth as she and Brady joined them.
Leila gave Adler a side glance and winked. “Nothing important.”
“Yeah, just my cousin showing his weakness,” replied Tristan.
“What?” asked Brady.
“Don’t worry about it.” Adler took Skylar from Elizabeth’s arms. “Come on. It’s getting dark. We need to go find a place to watch the fireworks.” He walked toward the field.
Leila watched Skylar. She was cuddled into Adler’s chest, chewing on the arm of the koala. Leila jogged a little to catch up to him. “You good?” she asked.
“Looks like it.” He placed his free arm around her waist. “Come on.” His mouth ticked up, and her heart swooned.
It was a great night. The fireworks were amazing. They all sat on blankets on a hill with a perfect view. Skylar sat between Leila’s legs, and Adler was next to her. Leila leaned back on her hands to look at the sky better, and when Adler did too, their arms touched and she couldn’t ignore his closeness, his warmth, or that she noticed the corner of his mouth turn up.
Everything about the night was perfect. The light breeze which blew away some of the oppressive stickiness of the humid day, the friends she was surrounded with, and the man sitting next to her who made sure Skylar wasn’t scared.
At one point, Adler took Skylar from between Leila’s legs and placed her on his lap, his legs stretched out in front of him. He placed his hands lightly over her ears when the loud booms made her jump. Her eyes were wide at the lights in the sky.
Leila couldn’t take her eyes off Adler and Skylar, and her insides flopped as she watched him with her. He was a natural, and Skylar adored him.
Chapter 15
Too soon, the fireworks were over, and it was time to leave. Adler pushed off the ground with Skylar in his arms. He held out a hand and pulled Leila to standing.
“Thanks,” said Leila. When their gaze collided, her pulse picked up speed. They were so close she could smell his cologne, masculine and woodsy. She swallowed hard and rubbed Skylar’s hair. “That was amazing. And Sky looks content.” She was cuddled in the crook of Adler’s arm, her koala cuddled close. “I think she might fall asleep.”
