Page 89 of Set the Moment
Oh…
“Are you trying to send yourself to an early grave or what, woman?” he asks jokingly, squeezing my hip before turning to the worker. “She’ll have a regular funnel cake with all the bells and whistles of a deluxe, minus the strawberry—she’s allergic.”
I look at Jace with a newfound interest as he continues ordering for us and pays. No one, not even my family, is that thoughtful of my allergy, especially since it’s so rare.
Hell,Cleoeats strawberry donuts all the time.
But Jace? He remembered my allergy and made sure that I didn’t consume any part of it, even though I would have been the one to order without fully checking the menu.
“I love you Sienna, but shit, don’t scare me like that. You almost killed yourself.” He laughs as we place our food on the table.
Did he just…?
We both pause in our tracks and I jump up from my spot, hovering over the table to stare at him. Jace Heart just told me that he loves me, in the middle of The Carina Cafe atWishland.
Jace’s cheeks are redder than a tomato, his eyes wide like a deer caught in the headlights as he gapes at me, processing his own words.
What do I say? Do I say it back? Did he mean it as a friend way or somethingmore?
Jace Heart loves me.
Jace Heart lovesme?
Jace Heartloves me.
Jace fucking Heartlovesme!
Oh my…My jaw drops as he schools his expression and shoots finger guns my way, slowly sliding back away from me.
“Wait—”
He doesn’t hear me because he’s turning on his heels andrunningback up to the register. I mean full on track star running to the register…
He just told me he loves me and then ran away like a school girl!
When Jace gets back to the table, two cups of water in hand, he makes a point to look everywhere but at me. It’s kind of cute the way that he avoids eye contact nervously, but it’s also confusing. Did he really just say that he loves me and ran away?
“Uh…Jace?” I poke, and when he doesn't respond, I keep trying. “Want to go on one last ride?”
Instead of responding, he nods, leaving us in complete and utter silence. Awkwardness builds between us, turning a day full of happiness and exhilaration into one of tension.
When we finish eating, I begin to lead Jace to the two towers located just behind the Wishland star. When we step in the path of Ursa Major, the largest drop tower in the state of Maryland, and Ursa Minor, the second, Jace halts in his steps.
“Is thisreallythe last ride that you want to get on today? A drop tower?” he asks skeptically as I grin.
“Yep!”
The queue for the line is short and quick with only four other people in line, making it our quickest wait time of the day. And in no time, we’re being strapped to the constellation themed ride.
Jace squeezes my hand, holding me tightly the entire way up, still completely silent as we climb to the top. My skin dances with nerves and the anticipation of the peak, scared shitless of the drop.
When I turn my head, I realize that I can’t see Jace, but I know that he’s there beside me. He always is.
“Hey, Jace?” I call out, more like shouting, as we climb up the ride, reaching the top in just mere seconds.
Now's the time, Sienna…don’t dick out, I tell myself, my heart thrumming hard against my chest.
“Yeah?!” he calls back, his hand squeezing mine.
