Page 37 of Beachy Sweetheart
“You got him!” Josh says. We bounce together and Daddy stares at the board.
“If I’m honest, I probably couldn’t have done that.” He gives me a lopsided grin. “You’re damn talented.”
Josh laughs. “Yeah, before we can run a game we have to show we can win at the highest level. It’s some rule Lisa has. This guy’s been running circles around us for years when it comes to darts.”
“Doesn’t matter how tiny the balloon, I pop it.” I make grabbie hands as Josh gets the bat down. “So cute.” I rub my face all over the stuffie.
“What else do you have planned?” Josh asks. “I can hold on to Midnight until you come back for him. That way, you don’t have to lug him around. Or I guess?—”
“Andy.”
“Andy doesn’t have to lug him around.”
Daddy scrubs a hand through my hair. “I don’t mind.”
“You still need to play.” I nudge him with my shoulder. “But you’re right, Joshy. Please hold on to Midnight. But I’ll be back!”
“Don’t worry, I’ll put a sign on him so no one snags him. I’ll keep him safe.”
“Tank you.” I nod, letting Little Trevor out. “Your turn, your turn.” I bounce on my toes waiting for Daddy to play.
“I’m going to aim smaller. I think that cute little sheep over there.” He points to the fluffy stuffie in the corner.
“Baaaaaaaaaa.”
Josh snorts. Daddy just has to hit three orange balloons in a row and they aren’t too tiny.
POP! POP! POP!
“Yay!!” I hop in a circle while Josh gets the sheep down.
“How about I keep these two together until you’re heading out?” Josh asks.
“That would be great, thank you,” Daddy says as he drops a hand around my shoulders and pulls me close.
We play all the games and win a few prizes, but we hand these prizes over to kids. I’m just interested in my giant stuffie. We ride some rides, eat a few more snacks. The day is the most perfect.
I’m starting to drag when the sun sets. But we can’t go yet.
Daddy looks to the Ferris wheel. “What about we take a ride on the Ferris wheel? Then we can head back to the hotel, or your place. Someplace we can relax.”
“You’re the bestest.” I hop and kiss his cheek before skipping to the line.
Our Ferris wheel has enclosed gondolas which used to freak me out, but now I realize how nice they are since it gives us a bit of privacy.
There aren’t a bunch of people ahead of us or behind us, but I still request a carriage just Andy and me. Fran gives me a knowing smile, but I shrug her off. She doesn’t need to know I want to kiss Daddy all the way to the top.
We get settled and Daddy relaxes into his seat. We’ve been going all day and he must be exhausted. Maybe I shouldn’t execute my kissing plan.
“Sweetheart?”
“Yes, Daddy?” I bat my lashes, but stay in my seat across from him.
“I really want you in my lap. Do you think?—”
I’m in his lap in seconds, making him laugh and the gondola rock just a little.
“I wanna kiss you all the wat to the top.” I straddle his legs, one knee on either side of his thighs making me taller than him.
