Mine Would Be You (49)

I find out his favorite color is green. Not lime green or a dark, army green, but the summer forest green. The green that reminds him of his hometown, when the trees are tall and full, and the grass is bright. The green that is full of life and promise.

He learns that my favorite flowers are marigolds because my dad used to buy them for my mom all the time. They were always in our house. On the kitchen table, on the coffee table, they would even end up in my room. So, it just overflowed to me, and when I got older, my dad started buying them for me too. Like when I got into FIT and the internship and eventually job for Poze.

I learn that Jackson’s favorite snack are the chocolate Teddy Gram’s and when he was younger, he constantly tried to sneak them into bed, which makes me laugh so brightly I can hear a little hitch of his breath, and it pulls the smallest amount of blush onto his cheeks.

I learn that nothing beats the sight of a pink-cheeked, blushing Jackson.

When I catch my breath from the sight, we toss more information back and forth. Like our favorite movies or music or songs, or childhood rituals, and what we were scared of, and eventually we start turning towards the dock as our time on the water comes to an end.

“I wanted to get food if you want. I brought a blanket we could sit on, or we could head towards the fountain.”

I nod, then glance around. “Can we get Dippin Dots?”

He smiles, nodding as we step off the swan boat, now tied up by the attendant. I make sure my dress stays in place as Jackson reaches out a hand to help me step out of the slightly rocking boat. Once we’re both squarely on our feet, we start walking in sync off in search of a food cart. Our arms swing close together, and the skin brushes together every few steps, causing lightning quick flutters in my stomach every time.

After walking down multiple paths, we finally come across a food cart not far from the huge fountain offering Dippin Dots, pretzels, and other various candies. There’s a small line, and we take our place behind two families and two other couples. I try to keep my eyes trained on the menu and not the man next to me, but it’s hard. His energy draws me in and makes me feel warm and welcome at all times. It’s almost impossible not to look at him.

As we step up, I see him reach for his pocket again. I put my hand over his. “No.”

“Nina.”

“Jackson.” I mock.

“Please let me pay.”

I step forward, closer to the attendant since we’re next in line. “No, you can pay next time.”

All his fight dies. “Next time?”

I roll my eyes, but my smile gives me away.

“I like the sound of that.”

“I thought you might.”

We step up, and he pulls his hand away from his pocket. It’s our turn in line, and the bright grin never falls from his face. I order pretzels, a cookies and cream Dippin Dots for me, and a cake batter one for Jackson. The attendant smiles at us. Jackson holds the ice cream cups and I hold the pretzels as I slide the man cash before bidding him a nice day.

Jackson leads us towards the fountain. People are sitting all around it, on the edge or on the grass nearby, spread out on their own blankets with their own food. Instead of taking us that way, I follow him to the lip around the fountain, and we sit on the concrete there instead. I lift one leg up, resting my knee, and keep the other foot squarely on the ground as he straddles the edge, facing me.

I take the first bite, letting the tiny circles of ice cream melt on my tongue.

“I don’t mean to be dramatic, but whoever created Dippin Dots deserves a Nobel Peace Prize,” I mutter over my next spoonful.

Jackson’s laughter spreads over me. “Let me try yours. I’ve never had that flavor.”

I glance up at him. “Never had cookies and cream Dippin Dots? You really are a fool.” With a shake of my head, I hold out my cup dramatically, watching him spoon it, knowing he’s about to taste the best flavor ever.

He nods. “Okay, that’s pretty great. Give me another bite.” He reaches out his spoon, but I pull it away with furrowed brows.

“Back off, cake batter boy.” I take a slow bite, teasing him. “You picked your flavor, now suffer.” He scoots closer as I inch away with a laugh.

“Come on, please.” He sticks out his bottom lip in a pout in between bites of his own ice cream. I watch him with wary eyes. A curl falls over his forehead as I sit up further. His eyes dip down to my chest briefly, which sends a thrill straight through me, before they flick back up to my eyes.

I hold out my cup, letting him take a spoonful or two before pulling it back. “Greedy, greedy,” I mock.

He reaches over and pinches my side gently with his hand. “Always such a smartass.” I stick my tongue out at him before taking a big bite of my ice cream.

The sun sits above us, moving between some of the fluffy clouds that dot the sky. There’s music coming from the other side of the fountain, mixing in with the occasional shout or loud conversation from other groups or kids running around.

I place my empty cup near my foot and rest my hand on my leg that’s folded on the concrete, making sure my dress stays in place. He places his empty cup in mine as we start picking apart the pretzels, and he pulls out the dictionary I got him.

I furrow my brows as I lick a stray piece of salt away. “What are you looking for? I haven’t said anything.”

He sends me a glance. “Not recently, but earlier today you did. Galán or something.”