"For what it's worth," Tank says as the ground comes back into focus below us, "I'm glad Lilly has you. Not many people would stand by a friend through something like this."
"She'd do the same for me," I reply, but the warmth in his eyes makes me feel like I've done something extraordinary instead of just what any decent person would do.
As our swan-shaped gondola glides to a stop at the platform, I realize something has shifted between us during this ride—boundaries crossed, defenses lowered. For better or worse, Tank is no longer just Lilly's intimidating older brother or the dangerous biker who arrived to save the day.
He's becoming something else entirely. Something far more complicated and potentially far more devastating to my own peace.
The operator unlocks the safety bar, and Tank rises first, extending his hand to help me from the gondola. His palm is warm and calloused against mine, his grip strong but controlled like everything else about him.
"Thank you for the ride," he says, and something in his tone suggests he's thanking me for more than just accompanying him on the Ferris wheel.
"Anytime," I reply, and find that I mean it more than I probably should.
Chapter 5 - Tank
"Anytime," Katty says, and something in her voice makes me believe she means it.
I release her hand reluctantly as Lilly bounces over to us, her eyes bright with excitement and mischief.
"How was your ride?" she asks, looking between us with barely concealed interest.
"Illuminating," I answer, catching Katty's eye. The hint of a smile plays at the corner of her mouth.
"Uh-huh," Lilly says, clearly not buying my casual tone. "You two seemed pretty deep in conversation up there."
I should shut this down now. Katty isn't just my sister's best friend. She's also at least ten years younger than me, based on what she said about college. She lives here in Sweetheart County; I have responsibilities back in Cedar Falls. In a few days, once this Dylan situation is handled, I'll be gone.
But then Katty looks at me with those green eyes that see too much, and logical thought becomes surprisingly difficult.
"Just getting to know each other," Katty explains smoothly. "Since I've heard about the famous Tank for years but never met him."
"Famous, huh?" I raise an eyebrow at my sister. "What exactly have you been saying about me?"
Lilly grins. "Only the good stuff. Like how you used to let me ride on your shoulders at the state fair when I was little. Or how you taught me to change a tire when I was twelve."
"Or how you once punched Billy Miller in the face for calling her Silly Lilly in seventh grade?" Katty adds with a smirk.
I wince. "You told her about that?"
"I tell Katty everything," Lilly says pointedly, and there's a warning in her tone that doesn't escape me. She's protective of her friend—making sure I know that whatever happened on that Ferris wheel, Katty isn't just some random woman.
Message received, little sister.
"It's getting late," I say, checking my watch. Nearly midnight. "We should probably head out."
Lilly's face falls slightly. "Already? But you just got here, and we haven't even had hot chocolate yet!"
"Hot chocolate?" I repeat.
"It's tradition," Katty explains. "Can't leave the Sweetheart County Fair without having Ma Calloway's hot chocolate. It's kind of famous around here."
"The best in the state," Lilly adds. "Please, Tank? Just one more thing before we go?"
I look between them. My sister's pleading expression and Katty's challenging one. I've never been good at denying Lilly anything, and apparently, I'm developing the same weakness when it comes to Katty.
"Fine," I concede. "One hot chocolate, then we're leaving."
Lilly claps her hands together in victory before linking her arm through mine. "This way. Ma's stand is by the craft barn."
