Chapter 8
The carnival midway was a dizzying explosion of color and commotion. Neon signs flickered like they were having a rave, while the delicious smells of deep-fried everything assaulted my senses.
The flashing lights shimmered across Dax’s handsome features, making him look like some modern-day Adonis...if he had a thing for funnel cakes and rigged carnival games. Tonight I felt a strange sense of adventure. Or I just really, really wanted to see him win me a giant stuffed unicorn.
Dax gestured toward the Ferris wheel, its lights blinking steadily. “Reminds me of a scene from Love Ledgers.”
“It does, doesn’t it? Is that why we’re here?”
“Yep. I figured if we were going to do this right, we had to recreate a scene from each book we read. And what better way to celebrate finishing my first romance novel than with a classic carnival date?”
I tried to suppress a grin. “Well, I suppose I can’t argue with that logic.”
“Admit it, Paris, you’re a sucker for romantic gestures and carnivals.”
“Maybe.” The atmosphere made it tempting to lean into the fantasy. “If this were a date, but it isn’t, so it’s less complicated.”
We passed a juggler tossing balls into the air.
“And would that be so bad?”
I dodged a sticky-handed child barreling toward the cotton candy stand. “I guess not...although wouldn’t it be nice if real-life romance came with a script? One penned by a hopeless romantic author who always delivers that perfect fairy tale ending, no matter how hopeless things seem at first. Swoon-worthy declarations of love, dramatic reunions in the rain, the whole shebang.”
Alas, in the unscripted world of modern dating, I knew finding a soulmate was less “love at first sight” and more “falling in love, then swiping right.” We were left to navigate the twists and turns of relationships without a roadmap.
“Sure, a guaranteed happily ever after would be comforting. But where’s the fun in predictability?” he shot back, with a slow smile. “You’ve gotta change up your routine to keep things interesting, shock your muscles or you’ll plateau.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. “Are we still talking about romance, or did you just slip into personal trainer mode? Because I’m pretty sure my heart doesn’t need a cardio workout right now.”
“Okay, I’ll leave my metaphors at the gym.” He looked me up and down, then smiled. “Nice shirt. I should be flattered you agreed to come out with me tonight.”
Today’s ensemble: a graphic tee that boasted ‘Bookmarks are for Quitters,’ paired with skinny jeans and my scuffed low-top sneakers.
Placing one hand on my hip, I stuck it out. “Yes, consider yourself lucky. It’s not every day a girl puts her fictional boyfriends on hold for a little carnival fun. And I figured even the most riveting chapter can’t compare to the thrill of seeing you lose at ring toss.”
“Oh, it’s on now, bookworm.”
Dax and I wove through the crowd, his arm slipping around my waist. I leaned into him, hyperaware of his solid strength. Each place our bodies met felt electric, making my skin tingle. It was as if every nerve ending in my body had jolted awake.
The sugary aroma of spun cotton candy teased my senses and I inhaled deeply. “Mmm, just smell that childhood nostalgia.”
Dax’s thumb traced distracting circles over my hip bone. “You mean empty calories?”
“Hey, some of us appreciate the finer things in life.” I nudged him playfully. “Like deep-fried deliciousness and winning oversized stuffed toys.”
He smirked. “Ah, the magic of clogged arteries.”
“Not surprising the personal trainer advocates for balanced meals...” I froze, sniffing the air. “What’s that smell—oh, corn dogs!” I led the way, guiding us through throngs of people clustered around game booths and rides.
Dax shook his head, faux concern etching his brow. “Paris, you’re drooling.”
A giggle escaped me, betraying my feigned indignation. “Am not! That’s just, uh, preemptive taste-testing.” I plowed ahead. “Let’s make a pact—no leaving until we’ve tried all the essentials.”
“What do you mean?”
“Popcorn, cotton candy, and anything that comes on a stick.”
Dax groaned and extended a pinkie toward me. “You’re going to ruin my diet, but okay.”
“Yay!” I curled my pinkie around his. “First the games.”
“Just so you know, I happen to excel at carnival games.”
“Care to prove it?”
“Oh, yeah.” Dax’s laugh rumbled deep in his chest.
Spotting a carnival game booth, I tugged on his hand with a mischievous grin. “Ooh, let’s do this one! I bet I can beat you.” I snatched a toy water gun and took aim at the moving ducks, my tongue poking out the side of my mouth in an exaggerated look of concentration. Water sprayed everywhere as I enthusiastically squeezed the trigger, hitting everything except the targets.
He chuckled. “Paris, you crack me up. I never thought I’d meet someone who could make me laugh as much as you do.”
“And I never thought I’d find someone who appreciates my sense of humor.” I paused in front of the booth festooned with stuffed animals begging to be won. “Ring toss?”
Dax rolled up his sleeves, the flex of his muscles not lost on me—or my suddenly parched throat. “Watch and learn, bookworm. I’m about to win you the biggest, fluffiest one they have.”
Giggling, I secretly hoped he’d win the whole darn booth. “Your confidence is as outsized as your biceps.”
With focused concentration, he narrowed his gaze, picked up the rings and flicked his wrist, sending each one spinning toward the bottles. When one finally encircled its glassy neck, I cheered. He winked at me, and my heart did an acrobatic leap.
“Never doubted you for a second.”
“Which one?” He gestured at the plush creatures hanging behind the carny—a menagerie of faux fur and stitched smiles.
“Surprise me.”
After a moment’s consideration, Dax reached for a purple octopus. “Ah, this one can hold a book in each hand—practical and cute.”
“I love it.” I clutched the stuffed toy to my chest. “Come on, let’s pop some balloons.”
“Sure you can handle the competition?”
“You might be king of the ring toss, but my aim is legendary,” I boasted, even as my palms grew clammy.
At the booth, he handed me a dart. “Guess we’ll see about that.”
The game was simple; the feelings were not.
We threw darts, popping balloons with satisfying bursts. I caught myself stealing glances at him—the way his smile crinkled his eyes, the sharp line of his jaw.
“Your turn.” He passed me another dart, his hand lingering over mine.
My dart found its mark, the balloon giving way with a loud pop. “Yes!”
Dax clapped. “Damn, you keep surprising me.”
“Admit it, you didn’t think I’d be this good.”
“I’ve learned my lesson. Never underestimate Paris Novak.” He bowed theatrically, making me laugh.
“Now, about those essentials we talked about.” I grabbed his hand, leading him away from the games.
“Starting with?”
“Cotton candy—pink, please.” I pointed to the vendor swirling clouds of sugar onto paper cones.
“Then pink it shall be.” Dax procured a fluffy bloom, handing it to me.
“Thanks.” I took a bite, the sugary strands dissolving on my tongue. A speck of pink clung to my lip, and I wiped it away with the back of my hand.
“Missed a spot.”
His thumb gently swiped the corner of my mouth and my breath hitched. I took a step back and blew out a breath, tempering the giddy rush swelling inside me.
This attraction for Dax was disconcerting—someone who couldn’t be more different from me if he tried. A buff jock and a romance junkie like myself? What were the odds?
Sometimes our clash of diversity felt like the opening gambit in a game that neither of us knew the rules to yet. It was those small differences, sure, but I wondered how many small differences it took to build a wall too high to climb—even for someone with Dax’s persistence.
But for tonight, I just wanted to have fun and enjoy the twinkling lights, the screams from ride-goers, and the energy surrounding us.
He turned to me with a curious expression. “I’ve been wondering why you’re still single. You must have men lining up at the bookshop door, eager to ask you out.”
Shaking my head, I let out a snort. “Oh yes, it’s a regular romance novel convention. I can barely keep up with all the suitors vying for my attention between the shelves.”
Dax chuckled, but his eyes remained fixed on mine. “Seriously, why hasn’t some lucky guy snatched you up yet?”
My smile vanished, my gaze dropping to the ground. “Let’s just say I’ve had my fair share of romantic entanglements. And not the good kind.”
Dax’s fingers lightly lifted my chin, then lowered to entwine our fingers. “Do you want to talk about it? I’m a good listener while also being a dashing carnival companion.”
I frowned, but felt some of the tension ease from my shoulders at his touch. “It’s just...I’ve been hurt in the past. And when I was a teenager, my parents separated for a year. It was a rough time, and I guess it left some scars, making me cautious when it comes to relationships.”
Dax nodded, his thumb tracing soothing circles on the back of my hand. His gentle touch ignited a warmth that spread through my veins.
We kept walking and passed a colorful fortune teller tent. My attention momentarily caught on a glowing sign outside.
“Did your parents ever reconcile after that year apart? I can only imagine how tough that must have been for you, especially as a teenager.”
I huffed out a breath and pulled my hand from his. “They did, eventually. They live in Florida now, and the experience left me with some trust issues. And then there was the author...”
“Who’s that?”
Recalling the memory, a wave of humiliation crashed over me, causing my cheeks to burn. “A year ago this writer, Julian Hale, came to the bookshop for a signing. I had always been a big fan of his work and was thrilled when he agreed to visit our small town. We ended up talking for hours that night, and it turned out he was visiting family here for the summer while he worked on a new book. We had this instant connection, and before I knew it, we were dating. It got serious fast…then everything started to unravel.”
Dax’s brow furrowed. “What happened?”
Every time I thought of Julian, a cold, leaden weight settled in the pit of my stomach, as if I’d swallowed a ball of lead that refused to budge.
My hands shook, so I stuffed them into my pockets. “Um, Julian would often cancel plans at the last minute or become distant. While browsing through social media one day, I stumbled upon a post on Julian’s feed from his fiancée gushing about their upcoming wedding plans. I was devastated. He had lied to me and I was just a temporary distraction for him. Since then, I’ve been cautious about letting anyone get close to me.”
Dax’s jaw clenched. “What a jerk. You didn’t deserve that.”
I shrugged, trying to play it off even as the old hurt resurfaced. “It’s fine. It’s not like I was naming our kids or anything, but it made me rethink the whole ‘happily ever after’ thing. It’s hard to believe in fairy tales when reality keeps smacking you in the face.”
He halted, his calloused hands firmly cupping my face. “Listen up, Paris. You’re one heck of a woman. Smart as a whip, funnier than anyone I know, and beautiful inside and out. And if some idiot can’t see that, then that’s his loss.”
Tears stung my eyes, overwhelmed by the sincerity in his voice. “You really mean that?”
He smiled, a soft, tender expression. “Every word. You deserve nothing less.”
My heart flopped around in my chest. I leaned into hands, his touch warming my skin that had nothing to do with the spring weather. “You know what, Dax? I’m glad we’re friends.”
For a second, his smile faltered before locking back into place, a momentary pinch to the corners of his eyes. He lowered his arms. “Yeah. Me too.”
Making our way through the crowd, I glanced at Dax. “The carnival was a fun idea, which reminds me. How did you enjoy Love Ledgers?”
“For a romance, it was...” Dax hesitated. “Well, it wasn’t nearly as painful as I thought it would be. In fact, I might even go so far as to say I enjoyed it. But don’t let that go to your head. I’m still a hardcore horror guy.”
I shook my head at his reluctant admission. It was like a vampire admitting sunlight wasn’t so bad after all.
“I’m impressed. Not many people can jump from horror to romance without breaking a sweat.”
Dax chuckled, shaking his head. “Or vice versa. Reading that book made me appreciate the little moments more. Like this one, right here, with you.”
My heart did a little jig in my chest, even as my ever-pragmatic brain tried to blame it on the thrill of the carnival. He was just caught up in the moment, and it didn’t mean anything more than that. We had nothing in common. He was a free-spirited gymgoer, and I was a cautious overthinker who alphabetized her spice rack for fun. I’d been burned before, and I wasn’t about to let myself get swept up in another ill-fated love affair.
We ambled past booths in the direction of the rides. I sidestepped a group of giggling teenagers. The carnival lights glittered like a constellation of stars as we joined the line for the Ferris wheel.
I glanced up at him. “Dax, tell me about your family.”
“Um, my dad was a high school football coach when I was younger. When he retired, he invested in stocks and made a lot of money over the years.” His voice was tinged with respect and distance. “Growing up, he was tough, disciplined. He loved sports and teaching young people to push their limits.”
“And your mom?”
“She was the softer side of home.” Dax grinned, his expression lighting up. “A librarian. Kind-hearted, always lost in books. Guess that’s where I got my love of reading.” His chuckle echoed in the cool night air.
Intrigued by the contrast of his parents’ influences, I smiled. It painted a picture of a home filled with discipline and dreams, a breeding ground for someone as multifaceted as Dax was turning out to be.
“As the youngest of three, I always felt like I had something to prove,” he continued, his gaze taking in the crowd. “My two hotshot older brothers were these high achievers in sports, grades, whatever. I guess it made me competitive, always chasing the appeal of perfection.”
I studied his profile, glimpsing the remnants of that younger Dax, striving to step out from the shadows of his siblings.
“Did it ever feel like too much? Trying to keep up?”
He blew out a breath, a nakedness flashing through his stare. “All the time. It’s like wearing a mask, you know? Showing confidence when inside you’re wondering if you’ll ever measure up.” He cleared his throat. “My dream is to own the local gym and offer free fitness programs to underprivileged kids. Fitness has become my way of helping others find their strength, not just physically but within themselves.”
His honesty struck a chord in me. The Ferris wheel line moved, but we were anchored in a moment of raw truth. Dax’s journey, his battles against insecurities, and the drive to forge his own path, which I totally respected. It was a story of resilience, seeking to redefine himself beyond family expectations.
“It takes a lot of courage to follow a dream. Those kids will be fortunate to have someone like you in their corner.”
He shrugged. “Yeah. That’s the dream someday.”
Standing there amidst the whirling rides and the stench of stale popcorn, it seemed that Dax was more than just a pretty face. When he’d spoken of family rivalry and personal ambitions, I felt an intense affection for him. It was like we were both searching for our own identity and place in the world. Maybe we were both a little lost, a little vulnerable, and a lot determined to figure out this whole adulting thing.
Finally reaching the front of the line, we handed our tickets to the attendant and boarded the waiting gondola. The wheel lurched into motion, and we were lifted off the ground, the world below us shrinking with every breath. The fairground sprawled beneath us—winking lights, miniature people, the echo of music weaving through the night—and for a fleeting second, everything felt possible. Then again, it could just be the altitude going to my head.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Nothing compared to—” He stopped mid-sentence and shook his head with a snicker. “Man, that was going to sound incredibly cheesy.”
I nudged his arm “Now I gotta know what you were gonna say.”
“Nothing compared to the view right here.” He gestured at me. “Because being with you, sharing this moment, it feels like everything I’ve ever wanted and never knew I needed.”
A hot flush rose in my cheeks. I opened my mouth to respond, then clamped it shut. Even though my heart fluttered at his sentiment, a tiny voice whispered a warning. Was I ready to trust someone again, to open myself up to the possibility of heartbreak?
Okay, sure, Dax was charming and sweet, but the last thing I needed was another chapter in the saga of Paris’s disastrous love life. I mean, really, who gave him the right to waltz into my life with his brawny physique and charming smile, throwing off my perfectly balanced equilibrium?
“Very smooth. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to charm your way into another outing.”
“Maybe I am,” he whispered.
Peering over the side, I pretended like I hadn’t heard him.
The Ferris wheel carried us aloft, and the summit drew nearer until we crested the apex. At the top, the gondola swayed gently, suspended in a pocket of time where the world below seemed about as significant as a gnat on a windshield.
“Hey, bookworm?” Dax said softly.
The ride spun downward, the ground getting closer and closer.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for tonight. I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun.”
“Me too. I’m glad we did this.”
“Now, what do you say we go find some deep-fried Oreos to munch on?”
“What about your strict diet?”
Dax threw his hands up. “Tonight’s a free carb and sugar pass. I’ll hit the gym early tomorrow and work it off.”
He was only doing this for me and I knew how passionate he was about his health and fitness. I almost felt guilty for corrupting him. Almost.
I smirked. “Prepare to be dazzled by my iron stomach and unparalleled junk food consumption.”
Stepping off the Ferris wheel, I sensed a shift between us—like the universe had decided to play cosmic matchmaker. Except I wasn’t exactly the type to swoon over a hardbody—okay, maybe just a little swooning, and could anyone blame me?
But I had to tamp down on those feelings and keep him in the friend zone. Things were complicated enough.