“You’d want to go fishing?” I twist my neck at her.
“If by fishing you mean you fish and I chill on the boat before you fuck me senseless, then yes.”
“I was talking about live bait and hooks.”
She quickly scrunches up her nose. “Ew, then no. Come on, tell me!”
“Do you trust me?” I squeeze her hand.
Her gaze drops to mine while I keep my eyes fixed on the road. She stays quiet and I glance at her, scared her face will show me that her answer to that question will be no. But instead, there is a smile on her face that’s filled with emotion and even though we’re both seated, I feel like she’s emotionally hugging my heart, giving me a look that I wish to remember forever.
“I do.”
I bring her hand to my lips, giving it an affectionate kiss. “Then shut up until we get there.”
She laughs. It’s a full laugh, one that echoes through the entire car. One that crashes through every fiber of my being. One I don’t think I can ever live without.
“Fine.” Dramatically, she raises her chin, looking out the window while faking her annoyance as only she can. She’s so different from every other girl I’ve ever met. When we met last summer, I thought she was fun, exhilarating, but I also thought it was because of her age. A bright, happy teenager, full of life and ready to kick ass in the world. I remember how Jensen and I were at nineteen and we had exactly the same spirit. But since she’s been living with me, I’ve learned that this is exactly who Kayla is. She can work like an ox, play like a child, and can act as responsible as a loving mom. She’s fun, loving, and caring. She makes me laugh every single day, and I’ve become addicted to her little taunts.
After ten minutes, we reach the edge of the city, and I turn right to the dirt road leading to a big field.
Her head snaps toward mine, but she keeps her mouth shut until finally we reach the clearing that holds our destination and I hear her gasp.
With wide eyes, she looks at the big banner that is set up high between the gates surrounding the field.
“You took me to the carnival?”
“I did.”
She keeps staring at the rides that pop up from above the fences. People are walking in and out, some with stuffed animals and food in their hands. The Ferris wheel peers above the top of the trees and the sounds of the rides make their way through the car when I park.
I turn off the engine and face her. “Not good?”
She presses her lips together, taking a deep breath through her nose, then her eyes find mine.
I let out a whining grunt when I notice how moist they are, and I reach out to cup her cheek.
“Ah, baby, don’t cry.”
“You took me to the carnival.”
“I know,” I titter.
“You hate the carnival.”
“I know.” I smile. “But you love it.”
A tear falls down her cheek and I wipe it away with my thumb, just in time to catch the next one.
“Hey, hey, come here.” I pull her head against my heart as much as I can with the center console between us, my hands cupping the back of her head. “Why are you crying, baby?”
“Because you’re doing this for me,” she sniffs.
“It’s not a big deal. You’ve done a ton of stuff for me.”
“Like what?” she scoffs.
I push out a laugh, a little confused she doesn’t even realize as I start to list them.
“You cooked for me. You made sure my father was at my fundraiser. You organized the fundraiser better than I could ever have done.”
“That’s my job.”
“You threw me a birthday party,” I continue in a serious tone. “You make me laugh. Things have been hard with my dad and all. But you’ve made it easier. You’ve done a lot for me, babe. The least I can do is take you to the one thing you love the most.”
She tilts her head so she can meet my gaze. “Bodi?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.” She covers her mouth with mine in a bruising kiss.
“You’re welcome, babe,” I murmur against her plump lips. “Are you ready to go?”
“Are you going to buy me some cotton candy?”
I brush the back of my hands against her silky cheek, her blue eyes making my insides melt as she looks at me with a hopeful face. “I’ll buy you anything you want, baby.”