A Humble Heart (Hollywood Hearts #1)(26)

She screamed and tried to move away from the seat. Edward put his arms around her, holding her tightly. He didn’t care at that moment they were a good two hundred feet in the air and that their seat was rocking, he started laughing and couldn’t stop.

It took Dana a minute to realize it was Edward’s fingers that moved up her back. He was laughing hard against her as the seat rocked. “You jerk,” she gasped, giving him a playful swat on one of the arms still holding her. “That’s not funny!”

He couldn’t speak so he nodded.

Dana tried to stay mad at him, but he was so cute and relaxed at that moment. She loved it when Edward was happy. They were stuck high up, which she knew scared him. Well, she knew now that he paid so he could be alone with her. It was sweet and endearing.

He didn’t even seem concerned that they were rocking back and forth in their seat, because of his laughter. She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Edward, you’re really cute when you’re laughing, but if you ever tease me about spiders again I may be forced to hurt you.” That only made him laugh harder until she reluctantly joined him.

By the time they stopped laughing the ride had stopped again. He moved his arm back around her more naturally this time. He ran his fingers over her bare arm. “So, tell me about this mystery guy that caused you to turn down Mike.”

Her face squished up into a guilty look. “There is no one. I just felt like I was being put on the spot.”

He shook his head back and forth. “Dana, I’ve seen men ask you out on a daily basis and I’ve never once seen you react the way that you did today.” He reached over with his other hand and pushed back a strand of hair before she could.

“I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about, Edward.” She looked off in the distance.

Edward placed two fingers beneath her chin and gently pulled her face towards him. “Dana I’m…I’m…..” He looked into her wide beautiful blue eyes and was lost.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. Concern took over her features. She thought he was trying to tell her he was going to pass out or be sick. “It’s okay, Edward, we’ll be off the ride soon. I’ll get you a cold drink or something and you’ll be fine.”

His eyebrows shot up confused. Then understanding hit. “No, I’m fine. What I’m trying to say is that I really like you, Dana. More than I ever thought possible to like a woman.”

She looked even more confused. “No, that didn’t sound right. I mean I like women. I’m not surprised that I like you. It’s just that I like you a lot, wait no, I said that already,” he babbled. To his horror he felt himself blush. Damn, he was messing this up. He never lost his cool with a woman before and now he was acting like an idiot. She looked amused, which made it all the more embarrassing for him. “Damn, Dana, can we please forget this ever happened?”

Dana sighed. “Edward, you’re so cute when you get nervous.” She leaned in and pressed her lips to his softly and pulled away before he could do anything. “I really like you, too, Edward, babbling and all,” she teased.

“You do?” His voice cracked.

“Yes, I do.” She smiled shyly.

“Thank God.” He leaned in and kissed her tenderly. Before he could deepen the kiss he felt the seat rock.

“Alright, guys, time to go.”

Edward broke the kiss to see the man smirking at him. He nodded and removed the safety bar. He stood up and held his hand out to Dana. They walked off the platform to find Deana with two excited children who each held a big stick of cotton candy.

“Mommy, can you take me on the bumper cars. The man said we had to sit with an adult,” Elizabeth explained.

Dana released Edward’s hand and picked Elizabeth up. Edward put his arm around her shoulders as they made their way to the bumper cars. She felt nervous and excited and she was pretty sure it had nothing to do with the bumper cars.

*******

“I don’t know how you do it,” Edward said, plopping himself onto one of the lounge chairs that surrounded Dana’s pool.

She laughed. “Do what?” She walked around picking up toys and wet towels.

“Do what? Do all of this.” He gestured around them. “It’s only ten o’clock and I’m exhausted,” he said, dropping his head back and closing his eyes.

“I enjoy it,” she said softly. Dana walked around the patio, straightening everything while keeping an eye on Edward. He was turning into a really good friend, someone she could count on.

“I can see why. Your kids are great.”

“Thank you, but I can’t take all the credit,” she said.

“Yes, you can,” he said seriously, making her stop and turn around. He was getting up from his chair and moving towards her.

She instantly felt awkward. He walked over to her and kissed her cheek. “You’re doing a great job with them.”

Dana pushed a strand of hair back. “Thank you, do you want to work on the book?” she asked, hoping for a diversion from this uncomfortable moment. They kissed once on the Ferris wheel, but he made no move since then to do it again. It made her feel self-conscious and nervous.

He smiled. “Sure, but I pick the music this time.”

She rolled her eyes playfully. He chuckled as they walked to her office.