Page 66 of Into the Shadows

“What he didn’t take into account is my need to learn the trick to all the games at the fair.” Lottie squeezes me. Her open affection in front of her parents does something to me.

“Bet you can’t guess where her competitiveness comes from,” Quinn teases.

“Hey, now.” Cooper pokes Quinn in her side, making her squeal.

“You can’t deny it, Dad.” Lottie looks up at me. “He had to watch my softball games from the outfield because he couldn’t stop disagreeing with the umpires.”

“It drove us all crazy,” Quinn adds.

“Now, wait just a second. I was never belligerent or anything.”

Quinn tilts her head in acknowledgment. “That’s true. But you definitely had a hard time keeping your mouth closed. I always made them treats before a game to apologize.”

“It’s lucky we live in a small town because they knew Dad was a good guy away from sports. They’d usually just laugh at him.”

“I could go for some of those almond cookies you used to make.” Cooper rubs his belly.

Quinn pats him on the chest. “I’ll make some tomorrow. You guys gonna watch the fireworks with us?”

“We’ve got a date with the Ferris wheel first. Then we’ll come over.” Lottie winks at me.

“I’ve got blankets and chairs for all of us, so call me when you’re on your way.”

“We’ll see you guys later.” I grab Lottie’s hand and lead us toward the ticket booth. Once we’ve got our passes, we head to the long line of people waiting for their turn on the Ferris wheel. I’d say I’m surprised she got me to change my mind, but I’m not. Lottie could make me do just about anything for her.

Heights have never been my favorite thing. I figure I can just make out with Lottie when we get to the top to distract myself.

People stop to talk to Lottie the entire time we’re in line. They ask about her parents, her sister, and even how her podcast is doing. By the time the fifth person says hello,I can’t hold in my laughter. How the fuck did I end up with the beauty queen of Sonoma?

“What?” Lottie smiles at me.

“I’m just trying to figure out how the son of a prostitute ended up with the town’s golden girl. It’s not quite computing, if I’m honest.”

Her face falls, confusion lining her eyebrows. I love that in her mind, we make sense in any scenario. She’s never questioned it. “Your background doesn’t determine who you are, Teddy. It’s going to play a part; there’s no getting around that, but what you choose to do with your circumstances is on you. You became an honorable man with loyalty that knows no bounds. You’re respectful and kind while simultaneously being strong-willed and independent. I’m lucky to be the woman you chose to let into your life. I don’t take it lightly, Teddy. Not in the slightest.”

I stare down into her fierce golden eyes. No one has ever looked at me the way Lottie does. I’m her entire world, the same way she’s mine. I can’t get my tongue wrapped around the words I want to tell her. Not yet, anyway, so I gently fist her hair and kiss her with every emotion I can’t voice.

When I pull away, she smiles at me as if she knows exactly what I just told her, and I hope to God that’s true. I want her to know how much I love her, even though I’m too chickenshit to say the words yet.

We get to the front of the line and squeeze ourselves into the tiny cart. I ignore the rusty bolts on the metal joints. It’ll be fine. Hopefully.

Lottie’s warm hand on my thigh is the perfect distraction. Her smile is a mile wide as the ride starts. I love seeing her happy. It’s become my only mission in life. How do I keep that smile on her face forever?

As the wheel turns, Lottie snuggles deeper into my side. Iwrap my arm around her shoulders to bring her closer. I haven’t taken my eyes off her.

“Look how beautiful the lights are! This is my favorite view.”

“Mine, too.” I couldn’t give a fuck about the world around me. She’s the only thing that’s ever mattered. Even when I denied what she could be to me, she was all I could think about.

Lottie looks at me and blushes when she realizes I’m not looking at anything other than her. I grab her jaw, pulling her head toward me. When her eyes flutter closed, I smile. Good. She’s as overwhelmed by this as I am.

Then I kiss her like it’ll be our last.

Chapter 37

To: Charlotte Jackson

From: William Kavanagh

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