We haven’t heard a peep from Jake’s parents since that night at Tonya’s house. Good riddance. It’s a wonder he’s turned out decent being raised by them. I’ve never felt so cherished as the moment he stood up for both me and his daughter. We went back to my apartment that night and he didn’t leave until late Sunday night.
I take a moment to watch Layla, seeing how she reacts to energetic buzz of her surroundings. This child is going to be a trouble maker when she gets older. The noise and lights don’t seem to phase her. If anything, she’s completely enamored by it all.
Turkey leg in hand, we come across my favorite ride. “Want to ride?” I ask Jake.
The size of this Ferris wheel is exponential compared to the one at the carnival we went to, and he stares the ride down as if it’s offended him. “I’m not going to pretend that I want any part in that.” He pulls Layla from Tonya’s arms. “Y’all go ahead. Baby Girl and I will stay down here. Safely on the ground.”
I’m not sure where we’re heading in our relationship, but I know I love him with every inch of my soul. “That’s fine with me.” I glance toward Tonya, “Do you want to ride?”
“Sure,” she shrugs.
Jake’s shoulders steady me as I lean into him on my tiptoes. “Love you, scaredy cat,” I whisper. Giving him a quick peck on the cheek, and Layla’s hand a tiny squeeze, I turn toward the entrance.
“I’ll see you at the end,” I call back.
Jake comes into view just before we hand our coupons over to the ticket taker. What in the world is he doing over here?
Tonya’s eyes go wide when she doesn’t see Layla. “Is everything okay? Where’s Layla?” Worry about her daughter has panic creeping in. Her voice high and shrill.
Jake laughs, “She’s fine. Reaf has her.”
“So, why are you here?” I ask.
He eyes the ride once again, doubt in his eyes, before shaking it off. “I want to ride with you.”
“I’m sorry, did I hear you correctly? You want to get on the ‘death trap’ as you called it?” I’m being a smart ass about it, but I know how he feels about heights. There’s no way he’s going to get on this much bigger ferris wheel.
“Yep.” He gets behind Tonya and playfully pushes her out of the line. “Sorry, Tonya, but I need some time with Charleigh.”
“Whatever,” Tonya rolls her eyes. “I’ll just go sit over there, in the nice cool shade while y’all are sweating your as-, I mean butts off.”
Jake shakes his head, and mumbles, “She’s taking this no swearing thing way too far.”
“I heard you. And, when your daughter calls someone a jackass, you’ll understand,” she calls back as she walks to the bench Reaf and Layla are occupying.
Passing the coupons to the ride operator, we get into our seat, waiting for him to latch the bar. “She really needs to lighten up.”
“Well,” I say. “She has a point. You don’t want to be the parents of the foul-mouthed kid in school.”
“I guess,” he mutters.
The ferris wheel begins turning and we glide backward. Jake is doing his best to not look down, keeping his eyes closed, but I can see the beads of sweat begin to form on his forehead. Every time the ride stops to let someone off he grips the bar tighter.
We are slowly making our way to the top of the ride, and I’m worried he’s going to freak out like he did last time. The time on this ferris wheel is so much longer than the carnival due to the massive size.
Finally, we are at my favorite part. I can see the Dallas skyline perfectly, and even through the smog it is breathtaking. The warm afternoon air is gently lifting the ends of my hair and position myself to help Jake calm down. Ready to distract him at a moment’s notice.
His hand is shaking in my own. But when I glance up, his focus is on my face, waiting for me to meet his eyes. He pulls something out of his pocket with his free hand, almost dropping the tiny velvet bag.
“What is that?” I nod toward the hand trembling in his lap. I hope that’s not what I think it is. I’m not sure I’m quite ready for that step yet.
“It’s not what you think, not entirely,” he says. “So, you can get that terrified look off your face.”
A shaky laugh escapes my lips. “Um, okay.”
“Charleigh, you are the absolute best thing that has happened to me. I would still be under my parents’ thumbs if it weren’t for you,” he pauses. “You’ve taken all the craziness in my life and accepted it. Accepted Layla, and the friendship I need to have with her mom in order to co-parent effectively.”
I swallow hard, tears forming in my eyes. If this isn’t a proposal, what the hell is it?