“We should probably get back to the hotel,” I look at the sun sliding down in the sky, like a barometer for our energy levels after such a long day.

“Awww, but Mom, I’m not even tired,” Chris yawns as soon as he utters the words. I can’t help but laugh. He hasn’t changed since he was in diapers. Always trying to get one more story or play just one more game before his bedtime.

“Well you might not be, but I am.” I rub my hand over his short, black hair.

Mack doesn’t say anything, he looks distracted. He’s been acting kind of distant all afternoon. Ever since he and my sister went to get food. I know Chelsea wanted to talk to him about something, I just hope she didn’t get under his skin. I know my big sister has the best of intentions and that she’s fiercely protective of Chris and I, but she can come on a little strong.

“What do you think? Are you ready to get going?” I drop my voice and turn to look at Mack. He’s so handsome. The way the sun is bouncing off his blue eyes and highlighting the tiny red hairs in his beard. He looks rugged. Sexy. I might be able to get a second wind when we get back to the hotel room. Even more inspiration to get this show on the road.

“Hmmm,” he slowly shakes free from whatever thoughts are consuming him. “Go? Oh, no, I wanted to go on one more ride before we leave.” He looks over at me and then quickly over to Chelsea.

“Jeez, you’re just as bad as Chris,” I chuckle. Of course he is. Like father like son.

“No, I mean, I want to take you on the Ferris wheel before we go. Just the two of us,” his smile makes the corners of his eyes crinkle. How can I resist anything this man wants?

“Hey, bud,” Chelsea cuts in, “whaddya say you and I head back to our room and watch some tv? I’ll let ya order room service for some ice cream.” She throws her arm around my son and gives him a little squeeze.

“Really? Yeah! Ok.” Chris is easy to keep happy. I’m so happy I have my son back. The boy who is carefree and smiles easily.

“We’ll see you two at breakfast tomorrow,” Chelsea winks at me. At least I think it’s at me. I get the feeling she may have meant it for Mack.

“Thanks,” I smile back at her, but she’s not paying attention to me. She is looking at Mack. What’s that about? “Be good for your aunt and don’t stay up too late, ok?” I put my arms on Chris’s shoulders and give him as much of a hug as he’ll allow in public anymore.

“Mom!” he groans, looking around self-consciously. I guess I’ve still managed to embarrass him.

“We’ll be fine; you guys just enjoy your night.” Chelsea finally looks at me and steers Chris toward the exit under her arm.

I watch them walk away and then turn to Mack. He looks so good in the rosy hue that the setting sun is casting on his skin. I mean, he looks good in any hour of the day, but the golden hour was given that name for a reason. Desire prickles over me and I throw my arms over his shoulders and stand on my tippy-toes to give him a quick kiss.

“You know; we could head back to the hotel too. I’m not interested in watching a movie, but I think I can keep you entertained,” I murmur against his cheek.

“I’m going to take you up on that,” he slides his hand across my lower back and presses me tight to his hard body. “Right after we go on the Ferris wheel together.”

Seriously?

“Um, ok. I guess.” I’ll admit it, I’m pouting a little. How can going on a dumb ride be more important that us getting naked together?

“Oh come on, put that lip away,” he smiles and gives me a squeeze. “I’ve known you since you were six and we’ve never ever gone on a single ride together. Let’s just do one spin on the wheel and then I’ll take you on a different kind of ride,” his voice deepens and my pussy clenches at the thought.

“Well since you put it that way,” I step back and hold his hand, “lead the way.”

As we cross the park grounds hand-in-hand, I remember how we used to walk around our high school at lunchtime like this. I was so proud to be the one on Mack Forrester’s arm, while all the jealous girls wished they were me. It feels like no time has passed between us as I feel the heat of his palm against mine, reassuring me that I’m still his girl.

We get to the line for the Ferris wheel and I’m happy to see that the crowd has thinned out enough that we’ll be on the next ride. It’s not that I don’t want to spend time with Mack, I appreciate the sentiment and everything, but I have more urgent matters to tend to back at the hotel. Like the matter of removing all his clothes and worshipping every inch of his cut, strong body. Things like that.

“Wait here one sec, ok?” Mack smirks at me and let’s go of my hand. He walks away before I answer him and I watch as he cuts to the front of the line and starts talking to the guy running the wheel.

What on earth is he doing?

The man in charge of the ride stands up and shakes Mack’s hand vigorously. Mack pulls out his wallet and pulls out a bill, folding it over in his hand and presses it into the guy’s hand, but the man refuses. He waves his hands at him like windshield wipers in a downpour. What is he up to now? The last time I saw Mack do something like this was on our prom night when he paid the guy in the garage at the Colorado golf club to use the golf cart. The two of them shake hands again and Mack walks back to me with swagger and a smile.

“What was that all about?” I eye him suspiciously.

“Nothing to worry about, just having a nice chat that’s all.” he teases me.

“Uh huh,” I know Mack Forrester and I know when he’s up to something. However, I don’t have time to get it out of him because the line starts moving forward and we shuffle along to our spots on the ride.

As we reach the front of the line, where the man who runs the wheel stands, he looks over at Mack and gives him a friendly nod. We take our seat and pull the bar over our laps, locking it in place tight.

“I know you’re up to something, Mack.”

He opens his eyes wide, giving me his best attempt at an innocent look, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Uh huh.”

The chair lurches backward and we start to spin up around the Ferris wheel. Whatever Mack’s up to slips my mind as we climb to the top of what feels like the world and the vibrant pink splashes across the sky catch my eye. “Oh my God, the sunset is amazing from up here,” I whisper and Mack tucks his arm around me.

Thunk!

Our seat comes to a dead halt as soon as we reach the summit of the ride. Are you kidding me? I look over at Mack, I guess I didn’t have to wait long to learn his plan.

“Mack, if you think for one second that I’m going to have sex with you up here, you better think again,” I whisper loudly.

He doesn’t say a word; his eyes twinkle mischievously.

“There’s seriously no way. Are you nuts?” I hiss nervously looking around.

“Lauren, calm down. That’s not why I got him to stop the ride,” he slips his hand into his pocket and pulls out a small box. Before I can process any of it, he flips the velvet lid open and pulls out a diamond ring.

“Oh, Mack!”

“Lauren, listen, I had big plans to bring you up here and tell you how you’re more gorgeous than this sunset,” he nods toward the deepening shades of pink and purple painted across the sky surrounding us. “And how those first stars you see coming out right now are nothing compared to the twinkle in your eyes. Don’t get me wrong. That’s true. But, really, I just want us to have memories of a lifetime worth of sunsets blurring together. I want you to take my name, to be my wife, to give me children. Well, more children. I want you. Forever.”

“Oh, of course. Yes. Yes!” My voice wavers and I feel like I’m in a dream. Mack pulls the ring out of the box and grabs my hand, sliding the sparkling diamond down my finger.

“You’re mine. Forever,” he murmurs happily.

“Forever,” I agree, resting my head on his shoulder I hold my hand up to the sky and admire my ring against the fading sunset. I want to take a mental photograph of this moment and remember it forever as the day that my life began again.