Page 73 of Faded Rhythm

Her eyes widen before she points to a pink stuffed elephant with glittery eyes.

Julian leans down and hands it to her like he’s presenting her with a treasure. Kelice starts whining, which makes him turn toward her.

“You’re next, sweetheart. Don’t worry.”

She smiles, and my heart melts as we move to the ring toss. He prepares to make his first throw, stopping to look at Kelice.

“This one’s for you.”

Once again, Julian’s accuracy is one-hundred percent. Every time he lands a ring, the music kicks up and the lights flash. I watch the reflection in Kelice’s eyes and feel grateful. We’re okay. They’re okay. They’re safe.

Kelice chooses a purple stuffed unicorn, then we’re on the move again.

Julian stops at a shooting game. “This one’s for you,” he whispers in my ear, and I’m not ashamed to say this sets off a fire inside of me.

Five tin cans are lined up on a beam. He lifts the air rifle, and for those few minutes, I see the other version of him: the sharp-eyed, steady-handed military genius.

He shoots.

Bullseye.

Again and again and again. Five perfect shots. Then another five.

The game attendant’s jaw drops. “Did you ever think about entering a tournament or something?”

Julian smirks, then winks at me, and I have to admit, he’s somehow even sexier to me now than he was before. I didn’t think that was possible.

“Take your pick, man.” The attendant points to the top row of prizes. “Those are the most expensive ones, but you earned it.”

Julian inclines his head. “Whatever you want.”

I scan the top shelf, smiling when I see a giant brown teddy bear with a little gold crown on his head.

“That one,” I say, pointing. “I’m gonna name him King.”

Julian bursts out laughing.

“What?” I playfully demand. “King the bear.” I hug the giant animal to my chest. “Ruler of all stuffies.”

He laughs again, a real, unguarded laugh, and I feel like I just cracked his outer shell for the first time.

We get funnel cakes dusted with powdered sugar so thick, I end up sneezing. Julian wipes my nose with a napkin like it’s the most natural thing in the world. The girls pay us no mind, they’re so busy devouring their greasy treats.

We sit down together, the four of us on a long bench under sparkling string lights, sticky-fingered and happy, and it’s so easy to forget the circumstances that brought us here. And I do.

And then Julian stiffens.

It’s subtle, but I feel it. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

His eyes are narrowed as he sets his plate down and mumbles, “I’ll be right back.”

I don’t even have time to turn my head and ask what’s wrong. He’s already moving through the bustling crowd, disappearing between booths.

My stomach drops, because I know that look. I recognize that posture. Something’s wrong. Something’s coming.

And our happy little moment is over.

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