Page 83 of The Road That Leads to Us (Us 1)

Judging by the huge grin Dean wore, he was happy too.

I laid my head on his shoulder and smiled.

We moved up in line and Dean’s hand began to tremble in mine.

“Do you trust me?” I lifted my head from his shoulder and peered up at him.

He looked down at me and was quiet for a moment, as if weighing his words. “You’re one of the craziest, bravest people I know, and you do things I’d never dream of doing. Sometimes I think you’re insane,” he chuckled, “but I’ve always trusted you.”

“Then believe me when I say it’ll be worth it.” I stood on my tiptoes to kiss his paint-covered cheek.

He grinned and the white of his teeth was a stark contrast against the green face paint.

A few minutes later we took our seats and were strapped in.

; I held on to his hand and tried not to laugh at the fact that for once the roles were reversed and a girl was comforting the guy.

We began to go up and the wheel jerked.

Dean cursed under his breath and he released my hand so he could grab the bar across our waists.

He closed his eyes and began to count.

“Why are you counting?” I giggled—I tried really hard not to laugh at him, but it was futile.

“Because,” he hissed through clenched teeth, “it takes my mind off the fact that I’m dangling hundreds of feet in the air in a device that’s probably twice my age.”

“You better open your eyes when we get to the top.”

“No promises,” he muttered. The Ferris wheel rose a bit higher and Dean groaned. “This is all my dad’s fault.”

“And how is that?” I asked, looking out at the festival. The grounds were huge. From here it looked as if it spanned for miles, although I was sure it wasn’t that big.

“He’s afraid of heights,” Dean groaned.

“Ah, I see.” I nodded. “Although, I’m not sure that’s an inherited trait, but whatever.”

We reached the top and I took Dean’s face in my hands.

He jerked but didn’t open his eyes. “What are you doing?” He asked.

I didn’t answer, at least not with words.

I tilted his head down to mine and pressed my lips to his.

His body jerked at first and then when he realized what I was doing he relaxed.

All the tension that had bound his muscles on the way up melted away.

He kissed me back like his life depended on it, and maybe, in this moment, it did.

I pulled away with a gasp, whispering, “Open your eyes,” so my lips brushed his.

Ever so slowly his eyes blinked open, revealing the pretty green color.

“Look around,” I whispered. “If you let fear rule you you’ll miss the beautiful things right in front of you.”