Page 59 of Falling Into Forever
Memories assault my vision, and I stomp my feet, pretending to kick off dirt to hide my shaking, but Dante snags my elbow and pulls me into his side. And just like that, the tremors ease.
Our first time together.
Our first Lemon Fest.
Our final moments.
It all comes crashing back with wave after wave of sensations until my body trembles, and I can’t move.
“I remember every detail of every conversation and every moment we’ve ever spent together. And I look forward to all that we’ll do in the future. Together.”
“Together,” I repeat.
How do you feel about a do-over, Saylor?
A different kind of nerves flutter in my chest as an emotion I can’t quite reach dances on the periphery of my existence.
It feels dangerously like hope.
CHAPTER16
DANTE
Everyone gives us space as we walk deeper into The Common in silence. My false bravado that I could actually tag Grady felt like the right move at the time, but now my mind whirls with different scenarios as I try to devise a plan of attack.
I wasn’t lying when I said failure wasn’t an option, but I also might be Grady’s least favorite person right now.
“I’m not doing that.” Saylor’s voice drags me from my thoughts.
I follow to where she’s pointing, and a deep, unexpected laugh escapes my mouth and lightens my worries.
People sit at picnic tables with pies in front of them. Well, shallow tins made to look like pies. They’re actually filled with whipped cream and cherries.
“The rules are simple,” Cassie says with wicked intentions written all over her face. “The objective is to fish out five cherries. However.” She pauses for dramatic effect. “Your hands must remain behind your back, and if any whipped cream lands on the table, you’re disqualified.”
“Oh, come on, Oscar. This is an easy one.”
“Easy?” Her voice vibrates with annoyance. “You can’t use your hands. You can’t spill the cream. Trust me, it’s anything but easy.”
Cassie spots us in the crowd. I haven’t spoken to her since my senior year in college, but I recognize that look. The question is, will she use her powers for good or evil? In my case, will she use them to help or hurt my chances with Saylor?
Honestly, with her, it could go either way.
“And,” she says, “the first round is done in pairs. Each cherry plucked must be transferred to your partner, who will spit the pit into the appropriate bowl. But remember, no hands.” She waggles her brows, and some people standing in line shift positions, not wanting to partake in the innuendo-laced game.
So, helping it is. I nod in thanks and flash her a wink. I can use all the help I can get.
Saylor backs away, but I hook my arm with hers and coax her forward. “It’ll be a good show for everyone,” I say under my breath, nodding at our surroundings and reminding her we’re here for publicity.
There are already a few phones pointed our way, and she stiffens next to me. My face has been in the tabloids even more than normal, thanks to my dear old brother. For the first time since I returned to Hope Hollow, true irritation overrides my happiness at being with Saylor. Even though publicity is our end goal, my jaw twitches as I fight to control my protective instincts.
She frowns. “They don’t live here. They’re only here for the festival. No one who lives here would invade our privacy like that.”
“True, but that’s also what we want. So, let’s give them something Instagram-worthy.”
“I haven’t played games in…” She snaps her mouth closed, and I step in front of her, then bend my knees so we’re nose to nose. It’s my favorite way to talk with her because my lips are only inches away from hers.
“Since when, Sayls?”
