Page 25 of Paparazzi Perfect
This might be the last time I see him. Even if it is, we still have today.
I had to make it count.
***
My heart raced when I spotted Karson on the sidewalk in front of the resort, the white streaks in his hair glowing under the sunlight.
It was a scorcher—even by Gold Coast standards—and I hoped he hadn’t been waiting there too long.
My heart thumped so loudly I thought he might hear as I pulled up alongside him.
He waved and I started to remove my seatbelt. “Jump in before you melt!”
His lips curled into slow, one-sided smile, and the butterflies sent my tummy into a backflip.
“Good morning, Miss Ivy,” he drawled in his heart-stopping accent as he pulled open the rear door with a chuckle. “No need for you to get out.” He climbed over into the front passenger seat and turnedto look at me.
“Very smooth,” I said with a laugh.
“I thought you might have decided not to come, that I’d be leaving with a broken heart.” He held his hand dramatically over his heart.
The thought of him wanting to see me like that sent a spark racing through me. But I managed to mumble something about heavy traffic holding me up.
“In case you’re wondering, we’re going to Water World. I can’t wait! In this heat, it’s the perfect day to get wet. Am I right, City Boy?” I smiled.
“Getting wet sounds like a brilliant plan.” His mouth turned up in one corner as he gave me a sidelong glance.
The muscles in my abdomen clenched. I took a slow breath and pulled out onto the road.
We ebbed and flowed up the freeway amid heavy traffic, but it barely registered. I was just enjoying being with him again… Even if it was in a traffic jam.
We talked about everything and nothing. With every story he shared, and each layer that he peeled back, I struggled harder not to fall. I couldn’t believe Karson had walked into my life only forty-eight hours earlier.
It was as if I recognized him. Like we’d been here before. Like he was already in my muscle memory.
Other guys I’d dated weren’t like him. He was kind. Playful. Attentive. And he genuinely listened, wanting to know about my life. Every time I shared something, his face lit up, that disarming smile following close behind.
He looked deeper. He saw me. He got me.
Around him… it was like anything was possible.And bruh, can he sing—
“You look lost in thought.” Karson smiled.
A flush traveled up my neck. “Oh,ahem, I was thinking about you, actually.” I stole a glance at him.
“Fantasizing about me, were you?” He toyed with his necklace, there was a glint in his eye as he shot me a sidelong glance.
“Hey, look, we’re here!” Blinking rapidly, I pulled into the enormous parking lot.
***
We bought our tickets and then found some lockers inside to stash our bags away. Slathering on the sunscreen—a littletoogenerously—we headed toward the rides and heard the blood-curdling screams.
I pointed to the Black Hole ride. “Come on, Karson. Let’s go on that one!”
“Hell yeah. It looks awesome.” He grinned as we moved closer and read the sign.
AN ADRENALINE-PUMPING SPIRAL!
