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laughing at something Molly said. That laugh is the most awesome sound.
    Before we know it, we arrive at the park. I pay for Lily, and I and grab a map to the park. Stopping inside the gate, I open the map up and Lily leans over to see as well. That’s when I get a whiff of her perfume, lavender and vanilla, and the smell invades my entire body. She looks sexy as hell in her short shorts and tank, which isn’t helping matters. I try to focus on the map, and I spot a rollercoaster, my favorite type of ride. Tim leads the way through the park. The smell of funnel cakes and vinegar fries infuses the air and it overpowers her intoxicating smell.
    “Where should we start?” I ask, looking at Lily.
    “Over there,” she points to the merry-go-round.
    Tim and Molly walk side by side ahead of us as we linger behind.
    “How you holding up since your mom’s funeral?”
    “As best as I can. It’s tough moving on, knowing she isn’t here anymore,” she says sadly. I watch her throat as she swallows hard, so I drop the subject quickly.
    “What about you?” She asks as we make our way to the ride.
    “About the same. It’s weird being in the house and knowing he’s not there. It’s lonely. But I’m trying to move on.”
    “Today should be fun. I’m glad you asked me to come. I haven’t been out to actually have fun in such a long time,” she says in a cheery tone.
    “Same here. With me just getting home two weeks ago, and then my life is thrown for a loop with my dad and everything…. It’s a lot to process. But let’s try to have some fun today.”
    This girl already has me enthralled. Her chocolate brown hair is pulled back into a ponytail. Her eyes are just as chocolaty as her hair, and her skin is milky, perfectly complementing her dark features. And I already love the way her eyes crinkle when she smiles.
    Tim and Molly are already in line when we get to the Merry Go Round. I agree to ride it only so I can humor her. Then we will work up to the rollercoasters she just doesn’t know it yet. When the ride stops, the line moves to get on. I follow behind as she approaches a horse. With my hands on her hips, I help her get on it. Once she’s on, our eyes lock together for what seems like a full hour, but is only seconds that pass and the universe shifts, before she looks away and I rush to grab the horse in front of her. The ride starts and I look back at her, sticking my tongue out and make a funny face. She tilts her back as she laughs, and it’s the greatest sound in the world. Looking around, I see Tim and Molly on a bench not too far ahead. After flashing him a wink and a nod when he looks at me, his arm around Molly, a smile spreads across his face. The ride goes round and round and before I know it, it’s already over. Rushing off my horse, I help Lily as she uses my shoulders to guide herself down.
    We catch up with Tim and Molly and continue walking through the park, as we talk amongst ourselves. I fondly remember coming to this park when I was little and riding the little kid rides as my parents looked on and waved at me.
    They lead the way to a rollercoaster, which is one of the newest attractions here. “I’m not getting on that,” she says, backing up in the opposite direction. She puts some distance between the ride and herself, shaking her head no.
    “Come on, it will be fun.” I laugh.
    “If you think I’m going to ride that you have another thing coming.” I watch her in amusement as she shrieks.
    “You know what, I will go with you,” Tim offers. Molly insists on keeping Lily company while we wait in line for our turn.
    The rollercoaster is one of the tallest ones in the world and the thrill from it is exhilarating as the adrenaline courses through my body from the excitement. Tim and I exit the ride, high fiving each other.
    “Did you two have fun?” Molly asks.
    “You gals don’t know what you’re missing. That was fucking awesome,” I say.
    “Ditto,” Tim says.
    “It’s