Chapter 25
JULES
We finally stepped off the plane and were ushered into a massive, luxurious car with windows so tinted it felt like we’d been dropped into a black hole.
I pressed my forehead against the glass, trying to make sense of where we were, but there was no point.
Instead, my attention shifted to Liam and Nova.
They were giggling, throwing each other secretive little glances, clearly in on something I wasn’t.
The little conspirators knew something.
Before I could demand answers, the car slowed to a stop.
I stepped out and took in the scene around us.
We were standing between two massive warehouses.
Near the entrance of one building, stacks of wooden pallets were stacked, and a few people milled around casually chatting.
I was confused. Was this what Chris had planned for our big weekend surprise?
“Where are we?” I finally asked.
Chris had already walked ahead, but he turned back, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips.
“We’re going to have to take an unconventional route, but trust me—it’s going to be fun.”
Fun? This didn’t look like fun.
The kids were practically bouncing with excitement, and Carol had an expression I couldn’t quite read. She met my questioning look with one of her own, one that said, Trust him.
Oh, great. Now Carol was on Team Chris, too.
Their friendship was refreshing, but it kind of bothered me.
She was never nice to my partners. She was blunt, protective, and, honestly, a little savage.
She loved it. She lived for roasting my dates and pointing out every single red flag.
But with Chris, she was… friendly. They’d been exchanging secretive looks and shared smirks the entire trip like they were in on some inside joke.
It was unnerving, and I didn’t like it one bit.
Chris led us down a narrow corridor between the two warehouses, the walls towering high above us.
Our footsteps echoed in the tight space, bouncing off the concrete.
The anticipation was building, and I hated it.
I wasn’t sure if I was annoyed or excited, but my pulse was definitely quicker than normal.
Before we reached the other side, someone stepped into view—a uniformed figure.
I froze, my eyes immediately snapping at the logo on their chest. I recognized it instantly, and my breath caught in my throat.
The uniform. Oh my God. It belonged to one of the staff members at my favorite amusement park.
The one I’d told him about on our first date when I let slip a few pieces of my childhood.
The one I’d dreamed about returning to with my kids someday, but could never find the time or, honestly, the courage.
And now here we were. It hit me slowly at first, but then it sank in fully, and I couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across my face.
He remembered.
At the end of the narrow corridor, I was flooded with color, sound, and comforting memories.
Themed buildings, vibrant decorations, whimsical music in the air, and the unmistakable smell of cotton candy and popcorn.
It was like I remembered. Kids ran past us with wide eyes and sticky fingers, and their parents trailed behind them with a mix of exhaustion and delight.
I felt like I’d stepped straight into my own childhood.
I couldn't even tell why, but somehow—me, the one with sensory issues her whole life—loved amusement parks.
It made zero sense. But then again, not much about my brain ever did.
Maybe it was because this was the only place I got to actually be a kid, when I couldn't be one at home.
So it became my safe place. Loud noises and all.
My children could hardly contain themselves. Nova grabbed Carol’s arm and tugged her toward the window of a nearby shop filled with glittering trinkets and colorful toys. Liam followed close behind, pointing out something to his sister. I stood there, watching them, taking it all in.
Chris stepped closer, and without a word, he took my hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it gently.
“I’m sorry your grandma couldn’t make it. I know how much you two love this park,” he said. My throat tightened at the mention of Nana. He knew how much this place meant to me because of her.
Growing up, I was always the little adult at home, keeping everyone in line—even my parents.
But at the park with Nana, I got to be a kid.
A silly, carefree kid riding rides until we were dizzy and on the verge of barfing, eating so much junk food we swore we’d never touch it again (until the next time).
I wished she were here too, but I knew she couldn’t travel.
I looked up at him, and my fingers trailed down his jaw to his neck, lingering there.
Thank you.
The words wouldn’t come, but I knew he could see it in my eyes.
It wasn’t just for today or the park—it was for this.
For seeing me. For remembering. For caring enough to make it happen.
The vulnerability of it all made me nervous.
I was peeling back a layer I didn’t usually show anyone. But Chris didn’t look away.
The rest of the day unfolded like a blur of joy.
Laughter echoed everywhere, the smell of delicious snacks filled the air, and Chris somehow managed to buy more gifts for the kids than I thought humanly possible.
Every time he snuck in another one—a toy, a treat, some ridiculously overpriced souvenir—I shot him my best fake disapproving mom look, and he saw right through it.
It only made his grin wider, those damn crinkles at the corners of his eyes deepening every time he handed the kids another prize.
“Liam, come check this out!” he called from the other side of the store.
Liam came running, and I watched as Chris pulled a massive box of Spider-Man action figures from the shelf.
The boy’s entire face lit up. They were rambling about something superhero-related, and I couldn’t look away.
It was ridiculously sweet. He actually remembered how much Liam loved Spider-Man.
Don’t start drooling in the middle of the store, Jules.
They walked back toward me, still deep in conversation, Chris carrying the oversized box like it was nothing.
“Look, Mom! Spider-Man action figures. One for all his costumes!” Liam wasn’t exactly asking if he could get them; it was more of a hopeful announcement. I brushed my fingers through his hair and smiled.
“I see, buddy. They look super cool, but…” I glanced up at Chris and lowered my voice. “That’s too much.”
He leaned in, not even pretending to be remorseful.
“It’s not a gift. It’s payment,” he whispered.
“Liam promised to build me one of his prestigious Lego robots. Apparently, only five people in the world have one. I’m lucky to get my hands on such an exclusive item.
Honestly, people in Hollywood would pay way more for a limited edition piece like that. ”
I hated how adorable he was with the kids, and I hated how weak I was to resist. I sighed, already knowing I’d lost.
“Fine.” I turned back to Liam. “But this is the last thing, okay?” They agreed and made their way to the cashier. Chris was having as much fun as they were, and I couldn’t stop myself from smiling as I watched them.
He wore a cap and aviator sunglasses, blending in to look like any other dad at the park.
Well, any hot dad, but still. From a distance, you might not notice him right away, but up close?
It was harder to miss. There were curious glances from people passing by and the occasional double-take when someone recognized him.
But he didn’t seem to care. Every so often, he’d lean in to talk to the tour guide or to the security team, discreetly following us around.
They exchanged nods, and then everything moved smoothly. He’d obviously done this before.
He’d told me once how much he loved theme parks, which was one of the first things that made him seem…
human, like he wasn’t this untouchable Hollywood star.
Seeing how effortlessly he managed all the logistics, I was sure he had a system in place to make sure he could still enjoy it, even with the chaos his presence could bring.
When we entered one of the tall, themed buildings for a ride, the guide ushered us in through the back door. We were placed in a small, private waiting room while they prepared everything.
“I really want to ride Insane. Maybe if I put some socks on the bottom of my feet…” Nova was already halfway to yanking off her shoes, the tiniest one in the group, but somehow the only one with the guts for the most terrifying ride in the park.
I was about to step in, but Chris beat me to it.
“I don’t think I could handle Insane, Nova. Maybe we can try the Care Bear ride instead? You like Care Bears, don’t you?” He was trying to be nice, but I cringed internally because I knew exactly how this was going to go.
Nova immediately dropped her shoes and planted her hands on her hips.
“How old do you think I am? Three? Care Bears? Please, Christopher.”
We all laughed out loud.
“You are way too much like your mother for your own good. You know that?” Chris said, shaking his head. His eyes were locked on me. I assumed he meant it as a compliment.
My cheeks burned.
“Yeah, yeah… I know,” Nova muttered, already over the moment as she plopped down at the table with Liam, Carol, and me.
The map was in front of us, our next ride still very much up for debate.
Nova was trying to steer us for something with animals, while Liam was pushing hard for a 3D experience that made me queasy just thinking about it.
Carol, being the saint she was today, mediated their debate while I focused on the map.
I looked up, for a second, and caught Chris staring at me. His gaze was steady, soft, and… something else. My stomach did that stupid flip thing, the one I’d been trying to ignore all day.
Fuck.
I was officially falling for him.
Not the guy I’d been dreaming about for years, but him. The flawed, asshole, hot, wonderful, and impossibly kind actor standing right in front of me.
The thought terrified me.