Page 32 of Written in the Stars
ZANDER
“You finally made it!” Matt says as he meets us at the entrance to the festival. Valerie follows closely next to him, arm in arm.
Holding Serenity’s hand, I gently tug her forward. “Yup, we’re here.”
Rock music blares over the loudspeaker. Strings of white lights are draped up above, creating a beautiful chilly January event. I’ve been to a ton of these events in previous years, but something about tonight makes it feel different. Special.
“Well, finally we get to meet you!” Valerie shouts, skipping me and going straight over to Serenity. “You must be Serenity. We’ve heard so much about you!” Valerie grabs her by the shoulders and places a kiss on each one of her cheeks. As she pulls back, she adds, “Can’t wait for the men to introduce us. They have no manners!” She’s joking, and Serenity finds her amusing as well.
Matt and I exchange a look, and it’s at that moment that I realize he does remember her after all. He nods, letting me know for sure.
But now is definitely not the time to get into it.
“I’m Valerie, Matt’s fiancée, and you are a doll! Xander wasn’t kidding!” Valerie winks at me.
I laugh quietly, shaking my head.
Serenity blushes. And she’s so damn cute. I just want to kiss her.
Matt steps forward, offering his hand. “It’s so nice to meet you,” he says to Serenity.
“It’s great to meet you both as well!” Serenity says then. I’ve been talking her ear off about my friends since our second date, and I’m so happy she’s finally meeting them.
We walk up to one of the concession stands and order some goodies. Serenity and I agree on a bag of popcorn and cream soda, while Matt and Valerie opt for the caramel apples and water. Once we have our treats, we head off to a table up ahead where people are enjoying their snack, and then we take a seat.
Matt and Valerie sit across from Serenity and me, and once we’re all settled, I ask them, “Have you guys been here long?”
After swallowing a mouthful of his treat, Matt leans forward, wiping his mouth on a napkin. “Nah, we got here around six-thirty.”
It’s just past seven thirty now.
“Yeah, it’s been fun and all,” Valerie starts, “but I’ve been really wanting to go on the Zip-a-Dee Swing.”
I turn to face Serenity as she gasps softly. “What’s that?” she asks.
I guess she’s into rides and rollercoasters. That’s cool and all, but I’ve never been all that into them.
Valerie laces her hands together. “Girl, you haven’t lived till you’ve ridden The Swing!” She emphasizes those last two words like that’s the name of the ride and the swing is the ultimate swing of all. And hell, maybe it is. What the heck do I know?
As she keeps describing the ride to Serenity, I can’t rip my gaze from her wondrous expression. From the looks of it, Serenity is truly intrigued, and if I don’t know any better, I’m guessing she’s going to want to go, too.
“Yeah, but you know, Matt’s too chicken. He won’t ride with me,” Valerie says, turning to her fiancé with a big, wide frown plastered on her face.
Matt smirks. “Don’t look at me like that. You know my stomach can’t handle those rides.” He turns to me with a wide open grin. “Maybe Zander will ride with you.”
My eyes go wide, and I can’t believe my best friend just said that. He knows I’m no rollercoaster fanatic either.
I snap my head to see Valerie leaning over the table, just inches away from me, with her chin in her hands.
“What do you say, Zander? You down?”
I look back at Matt and give him the death stare for a second. He just mouths the words, “Sorry, bro.”
I shake my head. “Sorry, Val. I’m not into those things either. They are a killer on my stomach as well.”
She rolls her eyes and glares at Matt and I. “Ugh! Imagine that! Two hunky firemen afraid of riding a swing! What are the fucking odds!”
“It sounds like fun. I’ll go,” Serenity says.
