Edging Closer ▶️

Chapter 4: Step 4 - Fall

Matty was unsure for how long she stood there, staring at Drake's hands, like they were holding the single most thing she couldn't bear to touch.

"I know you haven't been in good terms but I figured, if anything, you might regret not trying at all. They really seemed sorry, Matty. Hanna told me. And I know it's not my place to tell, but maybe you should give it another shot? And she really misses you."

Matty swallowed and reluctantly took the piece of paper and tucked it in her pocket. She looked at Drake and raised the edge of her lips. "I'm going to need a long pep talk with myself before that call."

Drake shook his head. "Don't worry about it. If anything, she's worried that you wouldn't even consider calling at all. Shall we go?" He extended his hand out to her and she placed hers over his. They made their way through the busy crowd and fell in line for the Ferris wheel.

"Don't you think it's a bit cliché that you're bringing me to a carnival to ride a Ferris wheel?" she joked.

Drake placed his hand on his chest, mouth agape, pretending to be shocked. "Hey. Riding a Ferris wheel, for me, should be a first date requirement, among all other things."

"What's next? You toppling down bottles for me to get a huge scary teddy bear?"

"Do you want a huge scary teddy bear?"

"Hell no." Matty shook her head furiously before pointing behind Drake. "It's our turn."

They handed their tickets to the teenage girl manning the Ferris wheel who rolled her eyes at the sight of them. Matty resisted the urge to laugh as Drake climbed on the pod first before extending his hand to help Matty in. The creaky metal door slammed close loudly, causing Matty to jerk toward Drake in surprise.

"Sorry," she muttered, trying to get up from Drake's lap.

"How are you all over me on our first date?"

Matty punched his arm. "Shut up." Matty snuggled in closer and kept her eyes on the view below them. "Are you happy?" she blurted out.

"With what?"

"I don't know. Everything."

"With my job. Yes, it was everything I dreamed it would be fortunately. Family, I guess. I still think my parents are insane for treating me like a child but I guess I'm fine with that." Drake shifted his back to lean on the edge of the pod so that he was looking at Matty.

"And with you. Always."

Matty looked away and snorted. "So cheesy. So where do we go to after this ride to the sky?"

"I was thinking of cooking for you at home. Unless you're not up for that."

"You? Cook? Since when exactly?"

"Right about after you left. Since no one is as giving with their packed lunches as you were, I had to learn."

Matty laughed and threw her head back. "Then I'll take you up on that. You cooking is something I can't miss." She stopped abruptly, just as they reached the top of the Ferris wheel, when she saw Drake looking at her intently.

"What?"

Drake placed the palms of his hand on her cheeks, drawing her face closer to his. He let their foreheads rest against each other, their lips only a breath apart.

"I love you."

Matty leaned in, closing the only gap between them and smiled against his lips.

"Really?"

And as if fireworks erupted around them, Drake pulled her closer, kissing her deeply. Matty moved her hands around his waist, clutching at his sides and kissed him with the same passion. They broke the kiss, both out of breath, with smiles on both their faces. The ride stopped, and with hands held, they headed to the car.