Page 101 of Hypothetical Heart
“Sweetheart, you like pineapple on pizza, I’m aware that your taste buds are extremely inaccurate,” he teases.
By the time we’re done eating our food, the city is dark, and our apartment feels farther than a couple blocks away. My feet hurt from my new shoes, and when we round the corner, Logan stops to pick me up, carrying me the rest of the way.
It seems to have become a common trend of ours, and I can’t say I’m mad about it.
30
Flashback: 1 year ago
“Logan!” Winnie comes running up to me.
“Hey, Win.” I smile at the sight of her. I haven’t seen her since she went swimming with Genevieve and Eloise, and that was at least four volleyball games ago.
I’ve spent the last few hours doing my best to keep an eye on her, making sure she’s having fun and not drowning in Hagen’s Lake or flashing people. All valid concerns.
She pulls a T-shirt over her head, but hell, if I don’t notice her tiny, pink Dior bikini, or how her blonde hair has become just a tad lighter because of the sun.
Winnie in the summer screams happiness, like she’s so full of life and it’s causing her to burst at the seams, and I’m just happy I’ve gotten to bear witness to it all.
“Are you still doing fireworks tonight?” she asks.
“That’s the plan.” I throw the volleyball back toward the guys. “Why? Are you going to stay?”
“Yeah, but I told Genevieve and Eloise if they want toleave early, they could take my car, and you would take me home…” she trails off like she’s waiting to see if I’m okay with it.
“That’s fine.” I shrug. “It’s not far out of my way,” I say sarcastically. She lives next door. Why wouldn’t I take her home?
“Hardy-har-har,” she deadpans.
“I’m lighting the fireworks as soon as it gets dark out, and Luke is building a big bonfire in the sand. I’ll come find you when I’m done lighting them off.” She nods.
“Thanks!” She smiles, turning and running back to where Genevieve and Eloise are sitting on a blanket in the sand.
Eventually, the sun starts to set, and I pull the bins full of fireworks from the trunk of my car and toward the beach. Everyone gathers around with camping chairs while I set them up.
I see the way Winnie bites her nails as she watches me. I know she doesn’t like the idea of me lighting explosives on fire, but once she sees the burst of colors in the sky—and all of my fingers still intact—she’ll be having the time of her life.
“Be careful!” she yells when I make eye contact with her, lighter in hand. My face goes stoic while I nod because I want her to know I’m not joking around with fireworks.
I light the first wick, and I back up quickly as it sizzles and then shoots into the sky. Three different bursts of color go off, and despite the intrigue of watching them float through the sky, the only thing I can focus on is Winnie.
The way her head tilts up to watch, the smile on her face as the sparks fall toward the ground. I love that this is making her happy.
After a few more times, one of the other guys offers totake over lighting the fireworks, and I quickly take him up on it. I run over to where the girls are sitting.
Luke and Jameson are also around here somewhere, and I’m sure they’ll show up at some point.
“Done risking your life already?” Genevieve asks as I approach, taking a seat in the sand in front of their three chairs.
I roll my eyes. “Must you make everything so dramatic?”
“Do you know how many people get their hands or feet blown off by fireworks every year?” she counters.
“No, but I’m sure you know the statistic,” I joke.
Winnie sets her hand on top of my head. “I think Evie and El are going to head out. Are you still good with taking me home?”
“He lives next door to you. It’s not like he has a reason to say no,” Eloise scoffs.
