Chapter 19
The Mini Golf Rivalry
The next weekend, Clara suggested a trip to the town’s miniature golf course. Liam groaned playfully.
“Mini golf? You’re really trying to test my competitive streak, aren’t you?”
Clara smirked. “Absolutely. And I plan to win.”
The course was colorful and quirky, with windmills, ramps, and tiny bridges. As soon as the first hole began, Liam took a dramatic stance, swinging his club with exaggerated precision. Clara laughed so hard she almost missed her turn.
“You call that precision?” she teased. “You’re going to lose!”
“Not a chance,” Liam replied, puffing out his chest. “I’ve got this.”
But the game quickly devolved into chaos. Liam’s ball ricocheted off a windmill, nearly hitting a passing child, and Clara’s ball somehow got stuck in a tiny water hazard. They spent more time laughing at their mishaps than actually playing.
Halfway through the course, Liam bent down, grinning. “Truce?” he asked.
Clara raised an eyebrow. “Truce?”
“Yeah. Let’s agree that neither of us really knows how to play properly and just enjoy being… us.”
Clara considered for a moment, then laughed. “Deal.”
They finished the game, neither winning, both happy. Liam reached for her hand, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I guess it’s not about winning… it’s about doing this with you.”
Clara smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder. “Exactly. Winning would’ve been boring anyway.”
As they walked back toward the town square, their fingers intertwined, Clara realized that summer with Liam wasn’t about perfection—it was about laughter, playful rivalry, and moments of connection that made even the smallest adventures unforgettable.