Page 77 of London, Love, & A Little Something Irish

He chuckles. “I think my motorbike accelerates faster than this.”

“Well, when you put itthatway...”

We get on. The anticipation is real.

Three.

Two.

One.

Blast off.

“Ahhh!” I’m one hundred percent a screamer and laugher on rides. I just can’t contain my giddiness. It’s too fun and my stomach keeps bottoming out every time.

The ride is over so quickly—tooquickly for my liking. Can we just go on again?

We head to the photo screen to check out our ride pic. I don’t make it a habit to buy them; I’ve only ever bought one before: on the Hulk ride at Universal with my childhood bestie from Atlanta. Iconic. But I stillloveseeing them.

And there we are: me, screaming like it’s my full-time job. Nathan, just grinning.

I love it.

“What’s next? Indiana Jones? Big Thunder Mountain?” I ask, giddy with excitement.

He chuckles. “I love how excited you get,” he says with a grin. “Whichever one you want.”

I pause for a second.

“Are you happy to be here? I know it’s probably not your favorite place in the world…” I trail off, thinking.

He could be anywhere else. He doesn’t even have kids to use as a Disney excuse.

“I’m happy becauseyou’rehappy,” he says softly. “I love seeing you light up. The rides are just a bonus.”

And just like that, I melt like ice cream on a July sidewalk.

“Okay! Yay! Let’s go check out Big Thunder. If the line’s long, we’ll do Indiana Jones.”

The next few hours are a blur of rides, shops, Mickey-shaped snacks, and the kind of laughter that makes your cheeks hurt.

Eventually, we head over to WaltDisney Studios.

“The two we have to go on are the Tower of Terror and the Rockin’ Roller Coaster. I loved them both when I was in Florida. They are next level!” I say. I’m bouncing again.

He raises an eyebrow. “Tower of Terror’s the only one I’m not totally sure about.”

Gasp.

“What do you mean?Nathan Jennings, scared of a ride?” I put my hand dramatically to his forehead. “Are you okay?”

He laughs. “It’s the free fall. I’m not great with heights. It’s like the feeling you get when you fall in a nightmare.”

“But it’s not like you can evenseethe height, except when the doors open at the top.”

“It’s fine, I’ll go. It’s just not my favorite.”

“Okay, well let’s check it out. OH—wait! Wehaveto do Crush’s Coaster too!”

---