“I already left you one on your bed.” She smirks.
“Because you were so sure I’d say yes?”
“Duh. Besides, what else do you have planned for today? It’s gorgeous outside, and this is the perfect way for the town people to get to know you. And once they do, I know they will love you as much as I do.” Her sweet words make me smile.
The thought of being in a sizeable crowd does make me nervous, but I can’t stay hidden forever. That’s in the past. Notmy future. I need to make myself a part of Sunlight Creek. Otherwise, I'll remain the target of lingering looks.
I contemplate the invitation. “That would be a good idea.”
“Great! Now go upstairs and change.”
I scoff, shaking my head on the way. “You’re so bossy.”
“Only when I’m hungry,” Lana states, shooing a hand at me.
I rush upstairs and slip into the dress Lana picked for me. It’s similar in length and flow but hugs me a little tighter in the bust and waist area. After fixing my makeup and hair, I meet Lana downstairs.
As soon as we arrive at the festival, more questionable looks shoot my way. I am grateful to the ones who sent me a polite smile, but others are more apprehensive. I nervously tuck my hair behind my ear, staying close to Lana.
She was right. Many vendors line the town circle. Food. Arts and crafts. And in the small distance stands the Ferris wheel. My eyes light up like a child in a toy store. I’ve never ridden one before. In fact, I’ve never been on any type of carnival or amusement park ride. I haven’t gone to anything like this growing up. Mainly because my father was too busy working or showing me how to perfect an electric mixer.
“Come on. I spot a corn dog with my name on it.” Lana pulls me along while I take in more of the townies.
When my gaze stops on a familiar man who’s standing with a scowl on his face, my heart plummets to my feet. For a split second, I thought it might be Jason, but the features are different, and I now recognize him.
Mark.
“Ignore him. He’s probably still sulking over our breakup.” Apparently, she noticed him too.
Lana finishes pulling me with her to the food truck, and I blame my nerves for not being hungry. She takes her corn dog from the man and smothers it with mustard.
“That looks disgusting,” I tease. But really, it does.
“Are you kidding? It’s the best. You’ve never tried a smothered corn dog with mustard before?” Lana takes a bite, and the left-over yellow condiment rests on the corner of her mouth.
“I’ll be sure to put it on my bucket list.”
Sure, I’ve had a corn dog growing up, but I hate mustard.
Lana stops mid-chew like a deer in headlights, her eyes turning a shade of gray as she stares beside me.
“Ladies.” A familiar voice sounds to my right. Crew’s presence is impossible to miss.
He takes a slide to his right, gaining a couple of inches of distance on Lana. His tall frame hovers above us like we are mice, and he’s the hawk. He’s like Logan. Not bulky, but still built and veiny. You can just tell he’s also sporting a six-pack under his black T-shirt.
His brow piercing remains, a strand of dark hair resting upon it. The sides of his hair are buzzed short, the top left longer. His green eyes are extra poppy today, too.
“Hey, Crew.” I give him a polite wave.
“Sora. You’re looking extra lovely today,” he coyishly says, then turns his attention to Lana. “Lana darling, you have something on your mouth.” He reaches up, swiping the mustard away with his thumb before his lips wrap around it, sucking it off.
Lana stands there motionless with a look of disgust. “Don’t you have other women to harass, or are we just the lucky ones?”
“I’m offended you’d think so low of me.”
“Just calling it like I see it,” she jabs, causing a smirk to rise on Crew’s handsome face. “What are you doing here, anyway? You don’t live in this town and fun and friendly festivals don’t seem to be your thing,” Lana quips, refraining from taking another bite of her corn dog.
My eyes dart between them both and suddenly standing here feels like I’m intruding on something.
