Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 134073 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 670(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134073 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 670(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
“Dash.” I moan his name as he pulls his mouth from mine.
“Do you always taste this good?”
“I don’t think I taste as good as mint chip,” I tease, earning a smile from him.
“You taste better. I promise.” He takes my hand. “Lock your door and let’s go.”
“I’m normally good about the door, but I was distracted, which is completely your fault.” I do as he says and we take the elevator downstairs.
“I guess you’ll have to move in with me so I can keep an eye on you. I can’t let your lack of safety go unchecked.” When we get outside we walk over to the same car from last night and he opens the door for me. “Since it’s my fault.”
“We are getting married and having an imaginary baby. I suppose that’s the next logical step.” I laugh as I get into the back of the car and he follows in after me. This fake baby and marriage sounds way too good for a second date.
“How was school?” He grabs my hand again and his fingers intertwine with mine.
“Good, we spent a lot of time coloring before I broke out the bubbles. It was too nice out today to stay in the classroom. How was your day?” My days normally pass quickly, but today dragged on. It was fun sneaking texts to Dash, but time felt as though it was standing still most of the day. I wanted to see Dash so badly my eyes kept drifting back to the clock. That was another reason I’d taken us all outside—distraction.
“Long.” He lifts our locked hands and kisses the back of mine. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” I lean over, wanting another kiss, but I remember we have a driver. “Are you going to tell me where you’re taking me?”
“Have you ever been to a renaissance festival?”
“No.” I smile, enjoying another first with Dash. I think it’s going to be the start of many.
Chapter Eight
DASH
“You have got to be kidding me.” Brooklyn stops at the entrance and looks at me with wide eyes.
“Is that a good reaction or a bad one?”
Her smile grows until she’s beaming at me. “This place looks like a castle! How did I not know about this?”
We walk towards the ticketing booth and I pay for the two of us. “It’s seasonal. They only come once a year, so if you don’t get here while they’re open, you have to wait until next season.”
“You’ve been here before?” This time she’s the one to reach out for my hand and I tuck her in close beside me.
“Yeah, my parents brought me here a few times as a kid, but I haven’t been back since then. I realized last night that it’s that time of year, and I looked it up. I saw they’ve only got a couple of days left, so I wanted to make sure I got you here before it closed.
“I’m already having the best day ever and we haven’t even walked in yet.”
“Glad to know I’m outdoing last night.” I wink at her as we give our tickets to the woman dressed as a maiden.
“Good sir and gentle lady, you are not dressed for our fair lands,” the woman taking our ticket says.
“We’re on our way to remedy that.” I tilt my head in a bow and she allows us to pass.
“Oh my gosh, is everyone here in character?” Brooklyn looks over her shoulder as we walk through the trees and into the village.
“I think you’re going to enjoy this,” I say, more to myself than to her. “All right, princess. Let’s get you properly dressed for today’s events.”
“What?” Before Brooklyn can process what I’m saying to her, I turn her to face the store that carries costumes.
“This way.” She laughs as I lead her inside to where an older couple is standing behind the counter.
“Welcome, sire, are you and your fair maiden here for proper attire?” The man bows to us and the woman curtsies.
“This is incredible,” Brooklyn whispers.
“We are. My lady will have whatever her heart desires.”
Brooklyn looks at me with wide eyes as the woman comes over and takes her by the hand. “This way, m’lady.” She takes her to the back of the store, where I see tons of dresses and costumes for the festival.
“This way, good sir,” the older gentleman says, and I follow him to the opposite side.
It takes a little while for me to decide on what I’m willing to wear, but I want to play along as much as possible if for no other reason than to see the look on Brooklyn’s face. Once I’ve settled on a leather vest and chaps and a medieval axe I can hang from my belt, I step out of the dressing room and wait at the counter. A few moments later I see the older woman come around the corner and then ring me up for the total. I pay for the both of us and then look around to find Brooklyn.