Page 14 of 518 Hope Ave
“You look really beautiful tonight,” I say, just as she puts a forkful in her mouth.
She coughs. Then her eyes go wide and she almost chokes. I reach over and pat her back, offering her the wine to drink and clear her throat. “God. I’m so sorry.” She coughs again. “I just wasn’t expecting that.”
“For me to tell you you’re beautiful?”
“Well, yeah. Especially not when I’m shoving pie down my gob.”
“I think you’re beautiful all the time.” I steal another glance and drink in the sight of her in the light of the setting sun. She looks like an absolute goddess in this light, one that my gaze is unworthy of. The freckles on her face, like an explosion of stars. Her blue eyes, totally otherworldly in this light. I am the luckiest man in the world to have landed a date with a woman like this.
“I think you’re beautiful too,” she whispers, leaning toward me slightly. I follow suit, inching my way closer, licking my lips in preparation to kiss her in the fading light and not let up until the day turns completely into night. But just as we’re a hair’s breadth away from touching, a group of screaming children runs past us toward the fairgrounds and an idea pops up into my head.
“Would you like to ride the Ferris wheel with me, Quinn?” I whisper with a cheeky grin as our eyes follow the squealing kids.
Her small smile quickly turns into an excited gasp. "I'd love that."
Gathering our picnic then dropping it off at my car, we walk through the fair, hand in hand, taking in the bright lights, the sweet air, and energetic noise. Quinn directs me toward the game stalls, and I manage to win her a small, fluffy seal on a ring toss game which she hugs in her free arm as we make our way to Frenchie's Ferris Wheel.
It doesn’t take long before we’re loaded into our seats, squished up together as we soar higher and higher, the view of the bay at night coming in from every side. But none of it is anywhere near as beautiful as the view right next to me. Quinn is a sight I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from.
“Do I have something on my face?” she asks when the Ferris wheel stops and we're at the top.
“No.” I laugh, shaking my head as I lean in closer and brush my nose alongside hers. “I just really want to kiss you.”
“Oh,” she whispers, our lips lingering, barely touching. Time stands still, and all I can hear is the beating of my heart and the sound of our intermingled breathing. Her eyes move between mine then I tilt my head forward, bringing our mouths together before my tongue slides past her parted lips and glides along with hers, stroking, tasting.
My hand goes into her hair, and the Ferris wheel jerks back to life, throwing us together, clinging more desperately. We kiss until we come to a shuddered stop, our breath heavy, our eyes locked, but no words besides the conductor telling us to get off come between us. With a naughty smile, we link hands and exit our cart, leaning into each other as we walk and justbetogether.
"Ooh!" she suddenly exclaims, stopping in front of a large tent. "Let's go see Madame Lovehart!"
"Really? You're into that sort of stuff?"
"Not really. But why not? Just for laughs. Please?" She bats her eyes and pouts at me.
When we get inside, Madame Lovehart isn't a ‘Madame’ in the traditional sense. She's a fairly young woman, easy on the eyes, and an absolute treat. She gets us to sit in front of her and channel our energy into the cards. Then there’s a faraway look in her eyes as she reads our fortunes through Tarot as if she’s truly communing with some entity.
There will be struggles and compromises to make, but you will get through them if you truly believe in one another.
"I really liked that message," Quinn sighs as we come out of Madame Lovehart's tent. "It’s full of hope while also painting a realistic view of the future.”
“And what did you thinkaboutthe message?” I ask. “You think we’ll make it through?” I lift a hand and brush the backs of my knuckles against her cheek.
“I want to believe in you, Ezra,” she whispers, and I lean down and kiss her plump lips sucking on them languidly as I pull her soft body against mine. Having her in my arms is sublime.
“Can I tell you something?” I say when we come up for air.
“Anything.”
“All that fortune reading has made me hungry."
“Me too.” She grins.
I gesture to the fairgrounds. "Take your pick, my lady. Anything across the land is yours," I say, making her giggle.
"I could murder a man for some cotton candy," she says.
“Murderous cotton candy. I can get on board with that,” I say, leading her over to the vendor.
"Hiya there, what's your poison?" the seller chirps, making us both laugh.
