“I will, but you know I’d tell you to go regardless.”
“Aren’t you guys the cutest?” Nicky teased.
I was about to get on her case to leave her job with the home care agency and find some nice colleagues instead of the sketchy families she worked with, but I stopped in my tracks at the sight of Dan right behind her.
“Six Flags and softball games! Lucky ladies!” he said with a big smile. “Enjoy your night out.” He continued to the construction area, pausing at the door to look back at me. A weird look passed across his face before he smiled, waved, and walked in, closing the door behind him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Liam
Jenna’s eyes widened as the roller coaster whizzed past, her hair blowing in the breeze. She looked up at me, her cheeks pink, hair messy, eyes bright. So fucking beautiful.
“You ready?”
She gave a nervous laugh. “Can’t wait. I love being launched into the sky before plunging toward Earth with just a little seatbelt holding me in.”
I searched her eyes, but there were so many emotions, each one racing by faster than the roller coaster behind us. “It’s a big harness actually, but if you don’t?—”
“I’m kidding,” she said, her hand soft on my chest. “It’ll be fun.”
“Eh, this is easy,” Nicky scoffed. “Let’s go on that next.” She pointed over to the spinning, swinging pendulum.
“No way,” Jenna said. “I’ll puke on you.”
“Uh uh.” Juliette shook her head emphatically.
Ryan scowled at Nicky when she turned to him.
“Really?” She raised an eyebrow, hands on her hips. “I wouldn’t have pegged you for a baby!” Ryan deepened his scowl and crossed his arms over his chest.
It was nothing like his real scowl. Did Nicky have any idea of the smile hidden beneath? He was absolutely going to go on it with her.
Dylan and I laughed.
“Screw you,” he said to us without any heat.
“Showtime,” Nicky said as the line moved, and we stepped up to the rollercoaster.
I helped Jenna on and sat next to her, checking her harness was securely fastened.
“Oh God,” she whispered, white knuckling the harness.
“Hold my hand,” I said, offering mine in the small space between us.
She shook her head quickly, her eyes wide.
“Come on,” I coaxed, twisting my hand to reach for hers. “I got you.”
Jenna hesitated, then pried one hand free from the harness and grabbed on, her grip fierce enough to crush bones.
“You’re okay,” I said softly.
“I know.” Her voice was tight, but she squeezed out a little smile.
The ride jolted to life, and she screamed from the second it started until it ground to a halt.
Then she laughed, breathless and exhilarated. “That was awesome!”