Cupid's Guide to Murder

Chapter 33: Up, Up, and Away

One Week Later

"Can I open my eyes now?"

"Nope."

Griffin's hands were still pressed against my eyes, albeit softly, as he guided me.

"Now?" I asked.

"This is worse than when my sister keeps asking me if we reached yet during family vacation car rides."

"Are you calling me your sister?" I said.

"Hell. No. Please never say that again." Griffin's response made me laugh and I reached out with my own hands to touch his.

"Okay, now you can look," He said.

He moved his hands. My eyes widened at the sight of colorful hot air balloons surrounding the field; a gorgeous array of bright yellow, blue, and red hues. In the distance, I could see the lights of a Ferris wheel and dimly smell the sweetness of funnel cakes and the grease of freshly prepared french fries.

"Ready for this?" he said, his eyes twinkling at my reaction. "Because, Grey, you and I are about to go on a hot-air balloon ride."

"No way," I breathed. "This is..." I couldn't even think of a way to describe it. Beautiful? Amazing? "Perfect."

Our first date.

With the boy of my dreams.

Griffin reached out to hold my hand, and my smaller one fit perfectly in his. He led me to the tent at the front, using his other hand to reach into his pocket. He had already bought us tickets, which he handed to the girl at the front. I watched the interaction, and the realization came to me that this couldn't be cheap.

"Isn't this expensive?" I whispered as she shuffled away.

He frowned at me. "I can afford to treat you, Grey."

"No, it's not like—" I stopped, wondering why I had to open my mouth and ruin everything. I saw the prickle of hurt in his eyes and mentally chastised myself.

His face softened. "It was a little, but it wasn't crazy. I wanted to take you somewhere nice. Besides, I volunteer here so I get some perks too. So don't worry about it."

"You volunteer?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, during the weekends in summer. I'm only a bad boy on weekdays," he smirked, and suddenly everything was okay again. I took his hand back and squeezed it, just to make sure. He reached over and adjusted the hat I was wearing so that it covered my ears.

"It might get a little chillier up there," he explained. "Although you can steal my sweatshirt if you get colder. Or use me for body heat in any way you'd like—"

He pulled me closer to him, laughing at my expression.

I wrinkled my nose at him and joked, "Watch it, Keely."

Translation: if I am cold, totally feel free to pin me down in the basket.

"Noted," he said, smiling anyway.

We selected a yellow and red balloon, and one of the crew members helped us get up and over the basket.

The guy looked at Griffin with recognition, and a big smile spread over his face.

"Hey Griff," he greeted. He glanced at me and his eyes sparkled. "You finally got a girl to put up with you?"

"Shut up, Lucas," Griffin mumbled.

"She's cute—" Lucas looked at me and Griffin scowled. 

I bit back a laugh.

"Thanks for helping us," Griffin cut him off, giving him a look.