The air at the fair was thick with the smell of fried dough, caramel apples, and popcorn, mingling with the sharp tang of freshly cut grass. Kids darted between booths, clutching oversized stuffed animals and glowing neon wands, while the tinny sound of a merry-go-round competed with the shouts of game barkers. It was sensory overload, and honestly, it was exactly what I needed.
“Hey,” Brent said, nudging my arm as we walked past a booth piled high with goldfish in little plastic bags. “You want one? I could win you one.”
I gave him a look. “What would I even do with a fish?”
“Name it, feed it, give it emotional support during hard times?” he said with a grin.
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help smiling. “Pass. I can barely take care of myself, let alone a pet.”
We kept walking, stopping occasionally to watch people try (and fail) to win at rigged games. Brent kept his camera out, snapping candid shots of everything and everyone. He had this way of capturing moments that made even the mundane seem special, which was both impressive and slightly annoying.
“You sure you don’t want a picture?” he asked, raising the camera in my direction.
I groaned, holding up my hand to block the lens. “Brent, no.”
“Betty,” he said, his voice taking on that teasing lilt that made me want to both punch him and laugh. “You’ve been dodging my camera all day. Are you scared it’ll steal your soul or something?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I said, lowering my hand.
“Then let me take one,” he said, already aiming the camera.
I sighed, resigned. “Fine. But if I look terrible, I’m making you delete it.”
“Deal.”
The camera clicked, and Brent lowered it, grinning as he showed me the screen.
“See? Not terrible at all,” he said.
I frowned at the picture. It wasn’t terrible—actually, it was kind of...nice. But seeing myself through Brent’s lens felt strange, like he was showing me a version of myself I wasn’t sure I believed in.
“You’ve got a talent, I’ll give you that,” I said, handing the camera back.
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” he said, slinging an arm around my shoulders. “Now, let’s find the Ferris wheel. I’ve got plans.”