Chapter 12
Sheridan finished counting her day's tips with a sigh. Not bad. Not bad at all. Especially considering she'd only been on the job a mere 3 weeks. Alison's blue eyes narrowed as Sheridan stuck the wad of cash in the front of her apron. She'd liked the kid well enough the first few days, but when it became clear she was stealing what was supposed to be HER limelight, the green-eyed monster had attacked with a vengeance. It was Sherry this, Sherry that. And frankly she was sick of it. She'd campaigned behind the little bitch's back to get her fired. With good reason in her opinion. Just how many plates had she broken in 3 weeks? A Guinness record, for sure. But Mr. Izzaria wouldn't hear of it. He claimed what Sherry lacked in skill she made up for it in charm in spades, and she was a customer favorite. Charm, she thought. Inspecting her pink nails boredly and smacking on the wad of bubblegum in her mouth. SHE had charm that put dear Sherry to shame!
The bells at the front chimed, and she turned her attention to the number one reason she wanted Sherry out of the picture. The sinfully handsome guy currently smiling at the girl like she was all that mattered in this world. "Hey Luigi," she waved. She crossed her arms across her chest angrily when he waved back distractedly and returned to the brat. Mr. Izzaria shook his head. The girl beside him was trouble with a capital T. Too bad he couldn't afford to let her go. "Mr. Izzaria," Sherry crossed the small distance to stand in front of them, "is it alright if I cut out early? There's a carnival tonight, and…" "Sherry, Sherry," he interrupted her breathless plea. "Go. Alison will finish up here. Won't you?" he asked. Shooting her a look that warned…NO ARGUMENTS. "Yeah…I'll finish up here. Go have fun, Sherry," she said sweetly. Plastering her best fake smile on her lips.
Luis waited outside their room while she changed clothes. Listening to the waves surging against the shore. Breathing deeply of the salty air. It reminded him of home. Harmony. And for an instant, he was hit with a terrible feeling of homesickness. The guilt racked through him as he thought of his mama back home. His candle probably joined Papa's and Antonio's candles. "Luis? Luis? Is something wrong?" Sheridan's voice broke through the fog. He looked down at her small hand on his arm. Light on dark. It was strangely mesmerizing. "Luis? We don't have to go to this carnival…" "Sheridan," he shook his head. "We're going, and that's it. I think we've earned a little fun. Don't you?" Her blue eyes sparkled alluringly in the fading light, and when she spoke it was with the excitement of a child. "I've never been to a carnival before, Luis." "Never?" he asked in shock. His brown eyes alight with amusement at the expression of pure anticipation on her face. "Never," she said softly. "Well," he grinned. Offering her his hand. "What do you say? I think it's time we get this show on the road." She tangled her fingers with his—her silvery laughter making his smile grow even wider, and they were off.
They walked nearly a mile before the bright lights came into sight. The line was much longer than he expected, and the wait was a good fifteen to twenty minutes. Fifteen to twenty minutes of misery, he thought as every man within sight ogled Sheridan in her beloved faded jean cutoffs and torquoise tank. The spaghetti straps kept slipping, and Luis wanted to wrap his hands around the punk behind them with the beady brown eyes and greasy yellow hair that just couldn't look away. Sheridan giggled at the menacing glare Luis sent the guy's way. A surprised smile on her lips when he snaked his arm about her middle and pulled her closer. Could Luis be…was he…jealous? "Luis? What are you doing?" she asked curiously. "I have to protect you, Princess," he whispered. In complete seriousness. And she cracked up. "When are you going to realize I'm not a kid? I can take care of myself," she told him. But she made NO move to remove his arm from her waist. In fact…she rather liked it. Alison watched them from a distance. Her blue eyes burning a hole into Sheridan as the line shifted forward, and Luis dug in his jean pockets for their fare.
"What do you want to do first?" Luis asked. "Sheridan? Sheridan?" he laughed. Waving a hand in front of her face. "Sher…" he grinned. "I…Luis…I don't know," she finally whispered. "Come on," he shook his head in amusement. Ambling up to the nearest booth. "Ever played basketball?" he asked her after handing over a couple dollars to the guy at the counter. "No," she shook her blond head. Biting her lip. "You do it, Luis. I'll watch." He wanted to roll his eyes at her. But she was too damn cute when she was nervous. He stepped behind the line etched across the ground and raised his arms to shoot. Each basket went in, and Sheridan was clapping wildly by the time he was finished. The old guy behind the counter smiled at him. "Your choice, Son. Pick something for your girl." "She's not…you've got the wrong idea," Luis whispered in embarrassment. Glad Sheridan couldn't hear him over the loud, happy music and people milling about. "I don't think so," the man shook his head. "Looks like your girl to me." Luis opened his mouth to protest, but the man cut him off. "That teddy bear at the top. She's been eyeing it the whole time," he whispered with a friendly smile. "I'll take it," Luis answered. Watching the smile on Sheridan's face grow when she saw the man pull the teddy bear down. "For you," Luis grinned. Presenting the bear proudly. Sheridan's blue eyes twinkled up at him as she stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. "Thank you," she smiled. All he was capable of was an answering smile as he lifted a hand to his cheek where it still tingled from the fleeting touch of soft lips. Alison stepped from the shadows. An ugly frown marring her features.
They played every game. Rode every ride imaginable. Except for one. The Ferris Wheel. "Sheridan…" Luis tugged on her arm gently. But still she would not budge. "Luis, no." "I don't get it," he said. Trying not to laugh at the look of utter horror written plainly across her face. "No," she whispered harshly. Her blue eyes staring at the ground. Refusing to meet his. His brown eyes glanced skyward, and suddenly he realized…she was afraid of heights! "Sheridan," he said quietly. Tipping her chin up with his index finger. "You trust me, don't you?" She nodded her head immediately. Without a second thought. "Then believe me," he pleaded with earnest brown eyes. "I won't let anything happen to you. I'll keep you safe. It's a promise." "Luis, I don't know. It's so high. I'm afraid I'll…" "Sheridan," he said pointedly. "Promise you'll catch me if I fall?" she asked timidly. And if her fear weren't so real, so tangible, he would have laughed outright. But he didn't. "Promise," he vowed. Gripping her hand tightly in his own as they were ushered forward, and the attendant secured them in the bucket. "Luis," Sheridan panicked as the big wheel churned, and they started climbing. Climbing slowly to the top. "Shh," he soothed. "They're just loading everybody in. And then the ride will start. Sheridan," he laughed as she squeezed her blue eyes shut.
"You're cutting off my circulation, Princess," he teased as they lurched into motion. "Sheridan…open your eyes. You're missing a helluva view." She felt the gentle breeze on her cheeks. Heard the tinkling music in her ears. "Please," Luis begged. And she smiled as she imagined the Puppy Dog face he was surely giving her. "Don't let go," she made him promise once more. "I won't," he promised. "Now open those eyes," he ordered. Grinning as they slowly fluttered open. At her gasp of awe as she saw what he saw. "Luis…it's SO beautiful. You can see the ocean all the way from here. And the stars! They're so bright," she said in childlike wonder. The Ferris Wheel groaned to a halt, and the fear was back in an instant. "Luis! What's going on? Oh no! Are we stuck up here?" "Calm down, Blondie," the Punk from earlier shrieked. Rocking his bucket back and forth violently. "Figures," Luis muttered under his breath. "He's alone. Loser. Sheridan…hey," he whispered. Raising a hand to her cheek when he saw the sheen of tears visible in her blue eyes. "Aww…don't cry. This happens all the time. Nobody ever gets stuck up at the top for an eternity," he tried to joke. Failing miserably. "Not funny, Luis," Sheridan pouted. "Don't," he pleaded as one fat tear spilled over onto her silky cheek. "Sher…" "I can't help it," she sniffled. "Luis!" she cried. Her voice rising a few octaves as panic washed over her in waves with the gentle sway of the bucket. "We're going to die! We're going to die!" she screamed frantically. While the Punk howled hysterically. "Sheridan!" he yelled. Cupping her face in the palms of his hands and forcing her to look into his eyes. "Calm down. We are NOT going to die." "But Luis…how can…"
She couldn't think. She couldn't breathe as his lips brushed against hers gently. Her blood rushed in her ears, and she was sure her heart would pound right out of her chest. Forget falling to her death. She was going to die from heart failure. And all it took was the gentlest pressure of his lips against her own. "Luis," she murmured against his lips. Her pale lashes fluttering against his skin. "Shh," Luis quieted her. "Don't…don't say anything. Okay?" She nodded her head slowly. She trembled as he captured her lips again. Drawing her bottom lip between both of his in the sweetest kiss…She slid her hands up his chest to clutch his shoulders. She wanted to be closer to him. She needed to be closer. He combed his fingers through the curls at the nape of her neck as he pulled back and gazed into her amazing blue eyes. Bluer than the ocean. Corny, maybe. But it was true. She edged closer shyly. Still gripping his strong shoulders. And kissed him lightly on the lips. Once. Twice. And then again. But this time he kept her close as he angled his mouth over hers. Tracing her lips with his tongue. Groaning when she parted her lips and let him kiss her more deeply as she clung to him. "That's it, Kids," a loud, obnoxious voice jerked them back to reality. "Ride's over." Sheridan held a hand to her mouth. Cheeks flaming red with embarrassment as she ducked her head and reached blindly for his hand. And he felt a jolt of electricity right down to his toes as he grasped it firmly and pulled her to her feet. He promised her he'd catch her if she fell…who was going to catch him? What the hell was he going to do now, he wondered as they pushed through the crowd that was slowly disippating. He was so preoccupied he didn't even notice her as they made their way to the exit. Alison's blue eyes glittered with jealous rage. As she crumpled up the newspaper she'd been holding up in front of her face as she followed them and threw it to the ground. A little boy passing by tripped. Staining its white pages brown with soda, and his green eyes grew wide as he recognized the pictures on the front page. The pretty girl from the Ferris Wheel! And the guy! "Trevor! Trevor! Quit dawdling. Hurry up!" Trevor scurried after his mother and the rest of his family. "Hey, Mike," he tugged on his big brother's pants leg. "What does 'kidnapped' mean?"
Sheridan finished counting her day's tips with a sigh. Not bad. Not bad at all. Especially considering she'd only been on the job a mere 3 weeks. Alison's blue eyes narrowed as Sheridan stuck the wad of cash in the front of her apron. She'd liked the kid well enough the first few days, but when it became clear she was stealing what was supposed to be HER limelight, the green-eyed monster had attacked with a vengeance. It was Sherry this, Sherry that. And frankly she was sick of it. She'd campaigned behind the little bitch's back to get her fired. With good reason in her opinion. Just how many plates had she broken in 3 weeks? A Guinness record, for sure. But Mr. Izzaria wouldn't hear of it. He claimed what Sherry lacked in skill she made up for it in charm in spades, and she was a customer favorite. Charm, she thought. Inspecting her pink nails boredly and smacking on the wad of bubblegum in her mouth. SHE had charm that put dear Sherry to shame!
The bells at the front chimed, and she turned her attention to the number one reason she wanted Sherry out of the picture. The sinfully handsome guy currently smiling at the girl like she was all that mattered in this world. "Hey Luigi," she waved. She crossed her arms across her chest angrily when he waved back distractedly and returned to the brat. Mr. Izzaria shook his head. The girl beside him was trouble with a capital T. Too bad he couldn't afford to let her go. "Mr. Izzaria," Sherry crossed the small distance to stand in front of them, "is it alright if I cut out early? There's a carnival tonight, and…" "Sherry, Sherry," he interrupted her breathless plea. "Go. Alison will finish up here. Won't you?" he asked. Shooting her a look that warned…NO ARGUMENTS. "Yeah…I'll finish up here. Go have fun, Sherry," she said sweetly. Plastering her best fake smile on her lips.
Luis waited outside their room while she changed clothes. Listening to the waves surging against the shore. Breathing deeply of the salty air. It reminded him of home. Harmony. And for an instant, he was hit with a terrible feeling of homesickness. The guilt racked through him as he thought of his mama back home. His candle probably joined Papa's and Antonio's candles. "Luis? Luis? Is something wrong?" Sheridan's voice broke through the fog. He looked down at her small hand on his arm. Light on dark. It was strangely mesmerizing. "Luis? We don't have to go to this carnival…" "Sheridan," he shook his head. "We're going, and that's it. I think we've earned a little fun. Don't you?" Her blue eyes sparkled alluringly in the fading light, and when she spoke it was with the excitement of a child. "I've never been to a carnival before, Luis." "Never?" he asked in shock. His brown eyes alight with amusement at the expression of pure anticipation on her face. "Never," she said softly. "Well," he grinned. Offering her his hand. "What do you say? I think it's time we get this show on the road." She tangled her fingers with his—her silvery laughter making his smile grow even wider, and they were off.
They walked nearly a mile before the bright lights came into sight. The line was much longer than he expected, and the wait was a good fifteen to twenty minutes. Fifteen to twenty minutes of misery, he thought as every man within sight ogled Sheridan in her beloved faded jean cutoffs and torquoise tank. The spaghetti straps kept slipping, and Luis wanted to wrap his hands around the punk behind them with the beady brown eyes and greasy yellow hair that just couldn't look away. Sheridan giggled at the menacing glare Luis sent the guy's way. A surprised smile on her lips when he snaked his arm about her middle and pulled her closer. Could Luis be…was he…jealous? "Luis? What are you doing?" she asked curiously. "I have to protect you, Princess," he whispered. In complete seriousness. And she cracked up. "When are you going to realize I'm not a kid? I can take care of myself," she told him. But she made NO move to remove his arm from her waist. In fact…she rather liked it. Alison watched them from a distance. Her blue eyes burning a hole into Sheridan as the line shifted forward, and Luis dug in his jean pockets for their fare.
"What do you want to do first?" Luis asked. "Sheridan? Sheridan?" he laughed. Waving a hand in front of her face. "Sher…" he grinned. "I…Luis…I don't know," she finally whispered. "Come on," he shook his head in amusement. Ambling up to the nearest booth. "Ever played basketball?" he asked her after handing over a couple dollars to the guy at the counter. "No," she shook her blond head. Biting her lip. "You do it, Luis. I'll watch." He wanted to roll his eyes at her. But she was too damn cute when she was nervous. He stepped behind the line etched across the ground and raised his arms to shoot. Each basket went in, and Sheridan was clapping wildly by the time he was finished. The old guy behind the counter smiled at him. "Your choice, Son. Pick something for your girl." "She's not…you've got the wrong idea," Luis whispered in embarrassment. Glad Sheridan couldn't hear him over the loud, happy music and people milling about. "I don't think so," the man shook his head. "Looks like your girl to me." Luis opened his mouth to protest, but the man cut him off. "That teddy bear at the top. She's been eyeing it the whole time," he whispered with a friendly smile. "I'll take it," Luis answered. Watching the smile on Sheridan's face grow when she saw the man pull the teddy bear down. "For you," Luis grinned. Presenting the bear proudly. Sheridan's blue eyes twinkled up at him as she stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. "Thank you," she smiled. All he was capable of was an answering smile as he lifted a hand to his cheek where it still tingled from the fleeting touch of soft lips. Alison stepped from the shadows. An ugly frown marring her features.
They played every game. Rode every ride imaginable. Except for one. The Ferris Wheel. "Sheridan…" Luis tugged on her arm gently. But still she would not budge. "Luis, no." "I don't get it," he said. Trying not to laugh at the look of utter horror written plainly across her face. "No," she whispered harshly. Her blue eyes staring at the ground. Refusing to meet his. His brown eyes glanced skyward, and suddenly he realized…she was afraid of heights! "Sheridan," he said quietly. Tipping her chin up with his index finger. "You trust me, don't you?" She nodded her head immediately. Without a second thought. "Then believe me," he pleaded with earnest brown eyes. "I won't let anything happen to you. I'll keep you safe. It's a promise." "Luis, I don't know. It's so high. I'm afraid I'll…" "Sheridan," he said pointedly. "Promise you'll catch me if I fall?" she asked timidly. And if her fear weren't so real, so tangible, he would have laughed outright. But he didn't. "Promise," he vowed. Gripping her hand tightly in his own as they were ushered forward, and the attendant secured them in the bucket. "Luis," Sheridan panicked as the big wheel churned, and they started climbing. Climbing slowly to the top. "Shh," he soothed. "They're just loading everybody in. And then the ride will start. Sheridan," he laughed as she squeezed her blue eyes shut.
"You're cutting off my circulation, Princess," he teased as they lurched into motion. "Sheridan…open your eyes. You're missing a helluva view." She felt the gentle breeze on her cheeks. Heard the tinkling music in her ears. "Please," Luis begged. And she smiled as she imagined the Puppy Dog face he was surely giving her. "Don't let go," she made him promise once more. "I won't," he promised. "Now open those eyes," he ordered. Grinning as they slowly fluttered open. At her gasp of awe as she saw what he saw. "Luis…it's SO beautiful. You can see the ocean all the way from here. And the stars! They're so bright," she said in childlike wonder. The Ferris Wheel groaned to a halt, and the fear was back in an instant. "Luis! What's going on? Oh no! Are we stuck up here?" "Calm down, Blondie," the Punk from earlier shrieked. Rocking his bucket back and forth violently. "Figures," Luis muttered under his breath. "He's alone. Loser. Sheridan…hey," he whispered. Raising a hand to her cheek when he saw the sheen of tears visible in her blue eyes. "Aww…don't cry. This happens all the time. Nobody ever gets stuck up at the top for an eternity," he tried to joke. Failing miserably. "Not funny, Luis," Sheridan pouted. "Don't," he pleaded as one fat tear spilled over onto her silky cheek. "Sher…" "I can't help it," she sniffled. "Luis!" she cried. Her voice rising a few octaves as panic washed over her in waves with the gentle sway of the bucket. "We're going to die! We're going to die!" she screamed frantically. While the Punk howled hysterically. "Sheridan!" he yelled. Cupping her face in the palms of his hands and forcing her to look into his eyes. "Calm down. We are NOT going to die." "But Luis…how can…"
She couldn't think. She couldn't breathe as his lips brushed against hers gently. Her blood rushed in her ears, and she was sure her heart would pound right out of her chest. Forget falling to her death. She was going to die from heart failure. And all it took was the gentlest pressure of his lips against her own. "Luis," she murmured against his lips. Her pale lashes fluttering against his skin. "Shh," Luis quieted her. "Don't…don't say anything. Okay?" She nodded her head slowly. She trembled as he captured her lips again. Drawing her bottom lip between both of his in the sweetest kiss…She slid her hands up his chest to clutch his shoulders. She wanted to be closer to him. She needed to be closer. He combed his fingers through the curls at the nape of her neck as he pulled back and gazed into her amazing blue eyes. Bluer than the ocean. Corny, maybe. But it was true. She edged closer shyly. Still gripping his strong shoulders. And kissed him lightly on the lips. Once. Twice. And then again. But this time he kept her close as he angled his mouth over hers. Tracing her lips with his tongue. Groaning when she parted her lips and let him kiss her more deeply as she clung to him. "That's it, Kids," a loud, obnoxious voice jerked them back to reality. "Ride's over." Sheridan held a hand to her mouth. Cheeks flaming red with embarrassment as she ducked her head and reached blindly for his hand. And he felt a jolt of electricity right down to his toes as he grasped it firmly and pulled her to her feet. He promised her he'd catch her if she fell…who was going to catch him? What the hell was he going to do now, he wondered as they pushed through the crowd that was slowly disippating. He was so preoccupied he didn't even notice her as they made their way to the exit. Alison's blue eyes glittered with jealous rage. As she crumpled up the newspaper she'd been holding up in front of her face as she followed them and threw it to the ground. A little boy passing by tripped. Staining its white pages brown with soda, and his green eyes grew wide as he recognized the pictures on the front page. The pretty girl from the Ferris Wheel! And the guy! "Trevor! Trevor! Quit dawdling. Hurry up!" Trevor scurried after his mother and the rest of his family. "Hey, Mike," he tugged on his big brother's pants leg. "What does 'kidnapped' mean?"