20. Romeo
Romeo
The entire wedding party sat outside the chateau where the caterers had set up lunch.
I had to hand it to Tallulah and Gustav—they had some really cool decor for the meal: long tables were covered in black tablecloths, candelabras were spread in the middle, and skulls and black roses were peppered throughout.
We each sat in what felt like Gothic thrones, and we drank out of huge goblets that could hold an entire bottle of wine.
We had spent the afternoon stealing glances at each other.
She would sneak a look over her shoulder, and I’d tune out whoever I was talking to, locking my eyes with hers.
At one point, we’d stared at each other for so long that I felt like marching over to her, cradling her neck in my hand and leaning down to hungrily press my lips to hers.
Would she have liked that? Maybe not in public, but if I had done it in the library, I felt like maybe something like that could’ve happened. I mean… she was into me, wasn’t she? There was no doubt we were flirting in the library, and I was desperate to somehow get her back in there.
By the time lunch ended, everyone was either tipsy and heading to their rooms to nap or getting ready for the nighttime festivities. Gustav knew I had my nighttime gig, and he didn’t question what it was or where I was going, so I waved goodbye as he and Tallulah happily mingled with their friends.
I had spent a few hours skidding and running across the park, scaring the shit out of people, when I saw her.
Ivy Jade was dressed casually again in her jeans, sweater, and cute little sneakers. Even outside of her designer dresses and six-inch heels, she was beautiful. Although I was sure she’d look beautiful in a potato sack.
She was sitting on one of the park benches, waiting for me. She smiled and waved as I walked over to her, trying my best to be casual when really I was so fucking glad to see her.
“Hey,” I said, then sat down next to her, still catching my breath from one of my scares.
“Hey, clown.” She tilted her head as she looked over at me. “Successful night so far?”
“Oh yeah,” I said boastfully, though not quite seriously. “I’ve scared hundreds of people tonight.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Your job is totally weird… but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t growing on me.”
It was probably the sweetest thing I ever heard her say, but it made me a little uncomfortable whenever she brought up jobs or money. I knew she didn’t mean it in any bad way, but I guess I was just projecting my insecurities about it.
“I’m guessing there’s no news on the rings, right?” she asked. She used to sound nervous when asking me that question, but now she was calm and accepting.
“Nothing in the lost and found bin, and the workers sealed up the ditch today. They checked it twice and didn't see anything. I'm confident they're still hiding somewhere in this park.”
“Or hiding on someone else’s fingers,” she said, staring up at the twisted oak tree by the bench.
The branches were covered in orange flickering lights that twinkled on her face.
“We’ve looked everywhere. I only have a couple more nights to find them, and I’m really dreading telling them what happened,” she murmured, frowning.
I sighed, shaking my head. I wanted to make it all better for her. The irony wasn’t lost on me that I had the power to do just that.
I stood up and held my hand out. “Let’s keep searching.
I have a good feeling that they are close by.
" In my pocket, to be exact, and I wasn't sure if tonight was the right time to return them.
She would have them before the wedding, and wasn't that the most important part?
And was it so bad that I just wanted her to come back and spend time with me?
She gave me that look that sent flutters swarming my stomach before she smiled and took my hand.
We walked throughout the majority of the park, at least in the spots she had gone to the night we met, and we stopped at the haunted house where I originally saw Ivy Jade run out from nights ago. No doubt, it was scarier than the house of mirrors.
“Should we check in here?” I asked, glancing down at her with a smirk.
Her eyes widened, and she shook her head. “Absolutely not! I am not going back in there!”
I laughed. I wasn’t going to put her through that. “Alright. I can check later.”
We continued our stroll, hand in hand, and I wanted to freeze time like this. She was so sweet as we bantered back and forth, and I squeezed her hand whenever I’d feel her tense at something scary.
“What’s your sign, by the way?” I asked as we passed by a ride called the scorpion.
Megan was a Scorpio, and as a Cancer, we were supposed to be one of the most compatible signs, so I wasn’t sure if I even believed in that kind of shit anymore.
“Libra, obviously,” she answered with a proud smile. “Social, intelligent, gracious. I’m such a Libra.”
I smirked to myself. Ivy Jade was far from gracious toward me at first, but I was starting to see her true colors. It seemed fitting for her, now.
“Don’t tell me what you are…” she said, stopping in front of the 'spooky swirl' ice cream stand.
The smell of fresh waffle cones laced the October air—a scent I inadvertently associated with Ivy Jade.
Warm and sweet, it was reminiscent of some strange nostalgia we shared while growing up. Cozy, as I'd describe it.
“You’re very protective,” she said, tilting her head at me. “And the strong, silent type. Guarded, a little,” she observed.
How did she already know me so well after only spending a few hours together?
“And I sense you’re a little moody, maybe emotional,” she continued.
I laughed, looking away. “Didn’t realize I was so transparent,” I said, running a hand through my hair, painfully aware of how flustered she made me feel.
“I knew it. You’re such a Cancer,” she laughed.
“You’ve got me all figured out,” I teased, but my face fell once I realized how fucking ironic that was.
She looked away, her face falling as well.
“Air and water signs don’t usually mesh well.
Complete opposites,” she mused. “But… look at Roman Knight and Princess Isla. They're complete opposites, and their love story has eight books written about them!” she said, trying to connect some invisible dots as proof. "A burly blacksmith turned hero, with a stubborn princess who enjoys the luxuries of a castle? It shouldn’t work, but it does. Actually, if anything, they make being complete opposites feel like a good thing. Right?”
She gave me a soft smile, and I nodded. “Like a good balance,” I agreed quietly.
“Yeah…” she said slowly, as if the revelation hit her just as hard as it hit me.
Complete opposites. But also, not really. It felt like we were so in sync most of the time.
Maybe Ivy Jade was different. Maybe that exterior of wealth and beauty was just another mask like mine—a character we played for the people around us.
But who were we really behind our facades?
Liars and cowards? Or timid friends wanting more, holding hands, savoring the softness that our connection created?
We continued our stroll, basking in moonlight as we made our way through the park in comfortable silence.
The crowds were thinning, and soon enough, I realized it was closing time. I looked down at my watch, which read 11:05 p.m.
“Park’s closing,” I told her, stopping in front of the path of purple carnival lights. “Why don’t we check in here real quick?”
She gave me a look. “I didn’t go in there, though,” she argued.
I gave her hand, the same one I’d been holding for hours, a squeeze and tipped my head towards it. “Come on. There might be something worth finding there.”
She looked over at the area I’d suggested, then eyed me a little suspiciously, but she shrugged anyway. “Okay.”
There was practically no one in the section with the Ferris wheel and games, so I continued further in the park.
“I have a feeling we’re not really looking for the rings, are we?” Ivy Jade asked, eyeing me.
My princess was so suspicious, but the excitement on her face made me feel so capable of making her happy. Truly happy. And I wanted to bottle that up. To keep it forever and treasure it. I playfully shrugged, my eyes pointing to the carousel a few yards away.
“Maybe they’re this way?” I proposed, then gently pulled her towards the lit-up carousel.
I hopped on the platform and turned around, holding my hand out.
“Are we allowed to be over here?” she asked, looking around as she took my hand anyway.
“This is my kingdom. Remember?” I said playfully. “I mean, don’t you know who I am by now?”
She shook her head and laughed. “I don’t know why I even ask,” she responded, faking surprise.
“Which one?” I guided her around the carousel slowly, tapping on each fake horse lightly. “This one?” I stopped in front of a pink-and-white pony, its gold saddle adorned with white plastic feathers and jewels. It was very Ivy Jade—prissy and with glittery pink hoofs.
She gave me a confused look. “You want me to get on this?”
I chuckled. “I figured it’s the only ride here that wouldn’t scare you.”
"Haha. Very funny, clown..." she said sarcastically, but grabbed hold of the bar in front of the horse, setting one foot up on a metal stirrup.
I grabbed her waist, helping her up, though she probably didn’t even need my help. I didn’t think she’d mind, though.
She straddled the horse and looked over at me, where I stood beside her. With her elevated off the ground, she was finally the same height as me.
She gasped as the carousel began to slowly spin and gripped the bar.
Music echoed above us, and I gently held onto the bar over her hand, watching her lips grow into a wide smile.
I was stuck in her gaze as we spun leisurely in circles, unable to look away as I closed the distance between us.
I neared her lips, our distance measurable only by a whisper as she anchored her hand over mine.
The way she looked into my eyes, studying my face like a puzzle—I was almost positive she realized who I was under the warm carousel lighting.
Right then and there, I nudged myself to tell her before she could point it out.
But she licked her lips, then bit the corner of her mouth, staring at me with soft eyes.
My heart pounded hard in my chest, and I leaned closer, the ride swaying me slightly.
“Thank you for this,” she said quietly. “This is really nice.”
Heat raced through my body, starting at the backs of my knees and carried up to my neck.
I was torn by desire and doubt, and my need to kiss her rang inside me like a bell.
It would be wrong to do it, though. Wrong to hide who I was if I were to make the next move.
If I kissed her, I’d have to tell her who I was. I had to.
“I really like you, High Jynx,” she whispered, tilting her head a little, giving me a shy smile.
“I really like you too, Ivy Jade,” I murmured, then I leaned closer, and I could see her chest heaving up and down, her breath quickening. I gently placed my palm atop her thigh and squeezed a little, my lips only inches from hers.
Then all of a sudden, the ride halted with a jolt, and the bright lights turned on, the music fading into the distance. I let go, backing up slightly, and cleared my throat.
Ivy Jade looked like she was just snapped out of hypnosis, our moment no longer covered in the veil of something magical. “I… I should probably get going,” she whispered, blinking, coming out of the daze we both seemed to be in.
“Yeah. Yeah, okay. Here.” I held my hand out and helped her climb down onto the platform.
I glanced over at where my buddy, who operated the ride, held up his hands and mouthed, “I’m sorry!”
I shook my head, pissed, though I was sure it wasn’t his fault. I was so close to telling her, to kissing her, and my body was still recovering from the closeness we shared.
Ivy Jade held onto my hand as I led her out of the section, and she pointed to the exit in the opposite direction from where I needed to go.
“I’ll be back tomorrow, and maybe you can help me continue the search?” she asked hopefully.
I nodded, squeezing her hand before I let go. “I’m looking forward to it.”