The State Fair is something I always looked forward to when I was a little girl. The food, sounds, and rides drawing me to them like a June bug to the light. It is definitely one of my favorite places. There are so many different people here. Couples with the beginnings of love surrounding them, families making memories, and those that are just here for the food.

We are here to make memories. Tonya and I thought it would be fun to do a big outing and bring Layla to the fair. We know she’s not going to remember any of it, but I want fair food.

It’s a rare Saturday off work for me. It’s one of the busiest days at the shop, but I pleaded with Corey to let me have the day. If we get done in time, I’ll go in when we’re done. Bianca is slowly working her way to becoming one of my closest friends. She’s been down lately because Marshall isn’t here. He wanted to try the long-distance thing, but she said it’d be too hard with their conflicting schedules. I feel awful for her, but I know she did what she thought was best.

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?

He pulls a thin gold band out of the bag, holding it between his forefinger and thumb. It has two hands meeting in the middle around a small diamond. My eyebrows scrunch together.

He pulls our entwined hands to his lips, and gently kisses the back of mine. “This is a promise ring. We aren’t ready for marriage. I know that, and so do you. This ring is a promise. A promise to continue bettering myself, and always work my ass off to be the man you deserve. A promise that somewhere down the line, when we’re ready, I’ll ask you to be my wife. A promise that my heart will always be yours.”

I don’t say anything. I can’t. I don’t have any words to express the happiness swirling through my veins. This boy, no man, who I had no intention of falling for is by far the sweetest person I’ve ever known. My heart warms at the promises he’s making to me, and I want nothing more than to get off this ride and show him how much he means to me.

“Charleigh?” He asks when I still haven’t uttered a word. “You don’t have to accept it. It’s not going to change anything I’ve said.”

I grab the ring from his hand to put it on my finger, jostling our chair. Jake grips the bars, eyes wide until it stops swaying. “A simple okay would have been fine.”

Scooting closer, I throw my arms around him, burying my face in his neck. “I’d be crazy not to wear it after that kind of declaration. I love you, Jake.”

“I love you, too,” he mutters into my hair. He pulls back searching my eyes. Looking for any doubt hidden within them. He won’t see them. I have zero doubts when it comes to him.

He leans in, bringing his lips to mine. The moment so similar to our first kiss. Only this time, he initiated it. He pushed his fear of heights aside to make this special for me. A moment I’ll remember forever.

I break the kiss as the we start to descend. “Thank you. This,” I gesture around us, “means so much to me.”

He squeezes my hand and we’re enveloped in a comfortable silence. Happiness and love filling the air around us. I can’t wait to get off this ride and show Tonya, as weird as that may sound. But, I know she’ll be happy knowing Jake has someone to lean on.

We may be the most unconventional family unit known to man, but I wouldn’t trade them for the world. I wouldn’t have formed a friendship with Tonya or realized that I could have a career and love, if I hadn’t given Jake a chance. I look forward to everything our future may bring.