Page 54 of One Pucking Surprise
“Confidence is everything,” Zach counters, his green eyes sparkling with amusement. “That’s why I’m here to teach him therightway.”
Jasper interrupts, laughing. “I’ll try both ways, okay?”
Wyatt and Chloe stand off to the side, clearly enjoying the show.
“They’re still like this,” Chloe says, shaking her head but smiling.
Wyatt chuckles. “It’s free entertainment. I’m not complaining.”
Jasper tosses his first ring using my method, and it bounces off a bottleneck. His second throw, guided by Zach’s enthusiastic coaching, also misses.
“It’s okay, Jasper,” I say quickly. “Last one. Just aim and believe in yourself.”
“And listen to Lainey,” Zach adds, grinning. “For once.”
Jasper giggles and takes a deep breath before letting the final ring fly. It lands cleanly, spinning around the neck of a bottle.
“Got it!” he shouts, jumping up and down.
“Jasper the Champion strikes again!” Zach declares, sweeping Jasper into his arms and spinning him around.
Jasper throws his arms around Zach’s neck, laughing. “I couldn’t have done it without you guys!”
“You’re the real MVP, Jasp,” I say, ruffling his hair.
The booth operator hands Jasper a sparkly, rainbow-colored stuffed unicorn, and his facelights up. “This one’s for Mom!” he announces, proudly holding it out to Chloe.
“Oh, my sweet boy,” Chloe says, pulling Jasper into a hug. “Thank you, honey.”
As the afternoon winds down, the Ferris wheel catches Jasper’s attention. “Can we go on it? Please, please, please?”
Wyatt exchanges a glance with Chloe, who shakes her head. “You go ahead, bud. I’m staying on solid ground for this one.”
Zach and I glance at each other, and before I can protest, Jasper grabs both our hands, dragging us toward the ride.
We pile into a swaying cart, Jasper in the middle with his panda on his lap. The Ferris wheel lurches upward, and he lets out a delighted squeal, pointing at the sprawling fairground below.
“This is so cool!” Jasper says, leaning over to take in the view.
“It’s pretty great,” I admit, glancing out at the sparkling lights and colorful booths.
“It’s okay,” Zach teases. “I’ve seen better.”
“You’re impossible,” I say, nudging his arm.
He smirks, his gaze warm. “But you like me, anyway.”
Jasper giggles, oblivious to the way Zach’s words send my heart into overdrive.
As the Ferris wheel crests its peak, Zach leans back, his hand brushing against mine on the seat. I don’t pull away.
“Thanks for helping him today,” I say softly, watching Jasper’s wide-eyed wonder.
“Always,” Zach replies, his voice low. “Anything for the kid—and for you.”
The cart sways gently, the world below glowing in the golden light of dusk. And for the first time in a long time, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, this could be the beginning of something wonderful.
Chapter 18
