“Ladies and gentlemen!” a croaky voice came over the speakers. “Thank you all for coming out to the annual Arkansas State Fair! For those of you who are interested in the baked goods contests, we encourage you to head over to the main stage. We will be announcing the winners in fifteen minutes!”
“Good luck,” Ethan released my hand. “I’m going to get us some more tickets. I’ll meet you over there.”
I practically ran for the main stage, pushing my way through the crowd, waiting for the announcer to reveal the winners. I knew my cake was the least traditional out of all the entries and that I probably could’ve made it ten times better if I had more time, but I still wanted to win.
Badly.
A woman wearing a loose-fitting purple dress took center stage and pulled the roll of ribbons from her front pocket. She read off the pie winners first, then the cookies, then the cobblers.
“And now for our last category! We had some amazing entries this year and would like to thank everyone who took the time to create an original cake!” she adjusted the microphone. “However, we could only pick the top three cakes so…In third place, from Springdale County, Rita Olson’s ‘Sweet Vanilla Bean n’ Oreo’ cake!”
The crowd cheered as the woman made her way onstage and took her yellow ribbon.
“In second place, also from Springdale County, is Nancy Vera Johnson with her ‘Coca Cola n’ Orange Cream Surprise’ cake!”
Miss Johnson was already on stage for winning another contest, so she tapped the announcer on her shoulder and reached for the red ribbon.
“And in first place, from Fayetteville County, Selena Anne Beauregard with her ‘Triple Truffle Chocolate and Caramel Bourbon’ cake!”
Yes! Yes! Yes!
I rushed past the people in my way and practically leapt on stage. I grabbed my bright blue ribbon from the announcer and clapped as if I’d just won the lottery.
The other winners and I posed for pictures and shook hands with the governor. Even he didn’t mention the fact that I was a celebrity. He simply smiled and congratulated me like I was any other citizen.
I pinned my ribbon onto my shirt and searched for Ethan in the crowd. I walked back to where we’d stopped holding hands but he wasn’t there. I walked around the main stage and circled back to the entry point, but I couldn’t find him.
“Your real name is Selena Anne Beauregard?” he wrapped his arms around me from behind.
“No! It’s Ross!”
“Sure it is,” he laughed. “I learn something new about you every day. Are you ready for some rides?”
“Yes!”
We rode Sweethearts’ Lane first; the slow water boat ride with heart shaped swans, and made fun of the teenage lovebirds that were in front us. The boy was trying his hardest to kiss his riding mate, but no matter what he did she couldn’t catch the hint.
When we were in line for the Tilt A Whirl, I realized that Ethan hadn’t made a move to kiss me all night.
I tried getting his attention on the carousel—sitting in his lap and slightly puckering my lips, but he laughed. I even tried leaning into his lap on the teacup ride, making it crystal clear that I wanted a kiss, but he acted as if he couldn’t tell.
When we were sitting atop the Ferris wheel, I leaned over his lap again and he laughed even harder.
I gave up.
I rolled my eyes and looked out over the fair. The bright and busy lights, red and white striped tents, and the sweet smell of funnel cakes and hot dogs had yet to lose their luster to me. They were still as enthralling as they were four years ago.
Once the wheel began to move back down, I started to feel sporadic droplets of rain.
“I think I’ll be ready to leave after this,” I sighed. “Will you help me get all my cake covers and stuff before we go? And would you help me put them away at my mom’s house?”
“You’re asking for a lot, Selena Beauregard.”
“It’s Ross! Will you please help me?”
“It’s funny how you can ask for things like that, but you expect me to read your mind when it comes to other things,” he pulled me close and laughed.
The audacity!
“You want me to beg you for a kiss?”
“I didn’t say that,” he smiled.
“Well, I’m not going to beg and I’m not going to ask. I shouldn’t have to.”
“And why is that Selena?”
“Why is that? Why is that! Really? Because I’ve never had to and I’m not going to start! I don’t need to—”
He stamped his mouth over mine and kissed me until I couldn’t breathe.
“You are the most frustrating woman I have ever met,” he kissed me again before releasing me. “We should probably get out of here before the rain picks up, don’t you think?”
All I could do was nod. His kisses always left me breathless.
The rain was relentless. I could barely see outside the windshield and was glad Ethan forced me to let him drive. Lightning was striking every ten seconds, and we could barely hear the radio’s weather announcer over the booming thunder.
I tried staying awake to keep Ethan company, but I fell asleep thirty minutes into the ride.