Page 39 of Someone Exactly Like Me (Wounded Hearts 1)
His childlike reaction makes me laugh. “It is.”
“What can we do?”
“Anything you want. There are rides and games and food. There’s so much to do.”
“Let’s start with one of your favorite things.”
“Do you like roller coasters?” I ask.
“Yeah, I love them.”
“Okay, let’s go. It’s not big, but it’s fun.” I start walking toward the roller coaster.
“Great. Hey, I wanted to take your mom to dinner to thank her for all her help, but she said she’s very busy and doesn’t have time right now.”
“Yeah, she just started on a new film.”
“I’d like to send her a gift basket. Can you tell me some things she might like?”
“That’s very nice of you. How about we do that together when we get back to my house later?”
“That would be great.”
We ride the coaster and play some arcade games then get big, juicy burgers, French fries, and milkshakes for lunch. After lunch, we head for cotton candy. On the way, we pass my favorite booth, the water race, and a cute stuffed pig catches my eye.
“Oh my gosh, look how cute,” I squeal with delight, pointing at the little pig.
“What that?” he asks, pointing at the pig.
“Yeah, he’s cute.”
“Do you want it?”
“No. What am I going to do with it?”
“I will win it for you,” he says, gallantly puffing up his chest.
“Nicco, you don’t have to do that.”
He ignores me, pays for a race, and picks his spot. A group of kids rush over, pay, and stand on both sides of him. Two of them look like they might be brother and sister. The other three are rowdy teenage boys.
He glances back at me. “I think I have some competition.”
A little girl with baby blonde, ringlet ponytails stands next to him and looks up at him.
“Which one are your trying to win, mister?” she asks in her sweet, tiny voice. Her big brown eyes alight with curiosity.
“Me? Oh, I want the little pig. Which one are you trying to win?”
A big smile spreads across to her cheeks. “Me too.”
“Okay then.” He offers his hand and she places her tiny hand in his. “Let’s do this,” he says, shaking her hand gently.
The kids grab their water guns and lean over the platform. Nicco looks down at the little girl, quickly tugs up the right sleeve on his T-shirt, and winks at her. While it’s completely adorable and playful with the girl, catching a glimpse of his muscular arm in real life sends my brain straight to the first sex scene in his movie and my heart rate quickens. I immediately shake away the image.
The boy behind the platform rings the bell, signifying the start of the race. Standing to the side of them, I can see the determination in the little girl’s face. I can also tell Nicco is purposefully missing the target here and there, but not making it obvious.
“Come on. Go, go!” he cheers.
