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“Nobody ever wins on the claw crane machine.”
“I will.” I raise my eyebrow, looking for my money, but Aaron already bought the tickets for the game. “I could have bought it myself.”
“I never let a woman pay, and even less the woman I’m on a date with.”
I roll my eyes at his comment, wondering where this new gallantry came from. “I don’t mind.”
“With me, I’ll never let you pay. You can argue with me, but you know I’ll have the last word.” I pout, even if a part of me is melting in front of his assurance. All alpha. All man. All controlling.
Twenty minutes later, I end up insulting the machine, and Wolf has spent more than a hundred dollars on this game—for a random two-dollar key chain. He is fabulously rich, and here I am trying to win him a meaningless trifle. I must look pathetic to him.
“We should go… it’s fine if—”
“No! Let me try one more time!” I’m mad at myself for not being able to do this. I slap the machine harder—I can beat the silly machine, for God’s sake! And then, the claw grips the stuffed teddy bear, and I finally win. I did it. I pick up the key ring proudly and hold it up to Aaron.
“This is for you, Mr. Arrogant,” I simper childishly at him. “But I want to pay you back, it was supposed to be a gift.”
“No, you won’t.” A smug smile stretches on his face as he bows dramatically in front of me. “What counts is how devoted you were for the past twenty minutes to win this for me, Miss Monteiro.”
“Oh, shut up!” I laugh at him, pushing him gently away.
“No, really. I don’t usually receive gifts.” His raspy voice hits me as he contemplates the ridiculous key ring in admiration. “Thank you, Elle.”
I try to deny my blushing and the heat reaching my stomach. The man who has everything is impressed by my miserable attempt at doing something ridiculously small for him.No, don’t go there, Elle.
We continue to walk around the carnival. I have never laughed this much. It really is the best date of my life, and yet so simple and natural.
“It’s Aaron LeBeau!” A kid that’s approximately twelve years old runs to Aaron before jumping into his arms. Wolf chuckles as he greets him and autographs the kid’s hat. “I want to be a racing driver just like you! I watch all your races on TV! You are the best!” he exclaims joyfully.
“Thank you, buddy. You know you can become anything you want, right?”
The child waves his hat. “Henry! Look who I am with!” A child around the same age peers in our direction a few meters away; they look similar. Both with brown hair and blue eyes.
I chuckle at the scene, loving the innocence of children. But when I glance at Aaron, he isn’t smiling anymore. His face is blank as he takes a deep breath, looking over Henry like he has seen a ghost. I pose my hand on his arm, and he immediately looks back at me, managing a quick smile.
“This is my brother! My dad likes him better. I’m always the one to get in trouble. But he is boring sometimes. He doesn’t like racing,” the kid explains with a shrug as his brother stops paying attention to us.
“Henry, huh? What’s your name?” Aaron kneels in front of the kid.
“I’m Lucas!” He delivers a huge, proud smile to Wolf.
“Well, Lucas, you remind a lot of myself at your age.” Lucas’ eyes dazzle with joy at the comment of his idol. “I have a brother named Henry, too. We were always so different, and we used to fight all the time. But—” Aaron stops for a moment, and I’m speechless. It’s the first time he is talking about his family. He flashes his casual grin. “—I’m sure he loves you. Don’t be too hard on him, okay?” The kid nods. “You’ll make a great racing driver, Lucas. I’m sure of it.”
“I wish I could see you racing for real… but my dad…” Lucas sighs. “I asked him for my birthday to see you. But he is against it.” I feel my heart shatter witnessing the sadness in Lucas’ eyes.
“You know what? I’ll have free seats reserved for you. Ask your dad to call this number. It’s my agent.” Aaron hands him his personal card before winking playfully.
My lips part in surprise. Wolf is the opposite of what I was expecting him to be on this date. Wolf has a heart. Wolf is caring. And Wolf is suddenly winning me over. Lucas jumps with happiness, hugging Aaron, making him lose his balance and fall on the ground. I feel emotions rushing me when I notice the kid’s tears of euphoria and Aaron smile.
But then a man starts yelling, approaching us. “Lucas! Come back here!” Lucas immediately steps back and stands next to the old man in front of us. Aaron gets back on his feet next to me.
“I’m sorry if my kid was bothering you.”
“On the contrary, sir. I just offered your son free seats for my next race. Here’s my card and—”
The dad throws his card away. “No. This obsession needs to stop, Lucas. Why can’t you be like your brother?” the dad yells at his son, who is trying to defend himself. “I don’t want you to be a brainless racing driver!” How can he be so harsh? And in front of Aaron. This man has no respect.
Aaron’s eyes narrow at the mad father. “You can’t talk to your kid like that. You should respect his dream, not—”
