his hand-holding. When we pulled up to a park reserve, I already knew what we were up to.
I turned to face him. “Are we going on a picnic?” I beamed. “Just so you know, I’ve never been on a picnic before.”
“Will you stop spoiling my surprise?” That small smile he rarely showed popped up on his face, making me sigh silently.
We passed the park district farther down a gravel road and to an empty field, except for a large truck towing a trailer behind it.
Odd. If we were having a picnic, I’d guess it would be at a lake, at the park, somewhere scenic, except for a lone truck on an open field.
He placed his car in park and stepped out. I heard the trunk open before he stepped around to open my door. “Let’s go.” His one hand went to mine, like magnets meant to unite, and in his other hand, he held a cute wicker picnic basket. It had frilly red-and-white plaid fabric that outlined the top, which seemed way too girlie for someone of his height and stature.
“Are we having picnic on that truck?” I said, being cheeky, squeezing his hand harder.
“You’re funny.” Then, he tugged me faster toward the truck, and the closer I approached, the more my heart sped up in my chest because on the back of the truck was a life-sized wicker basket.
Three burly guys jumped from the truck and greeted us. “Hey, Charles.”
“Hey, guys.” He tugged me against him, slipping his arms over my shoulders. “Noah, James, Tony … this is Becky.”
After I shook their hands, Noah, the taller one with a full-on beard, said, “Today is a good day to fly.”
I blinked up at him. “Fly?”
“Yeah, fly.” Charles sported a full-on smile this time, and I paused for a moment, ignoring his words and simply just took it in.
Fly?
The two men carrying the basket from the trailer broke me from my momentary staring. After they placed it on the ground, I realized that the basket was meant to be ridden.
My eyes widened, and I jumped. “Charles!”
His voice was a low rumble directly behind me. “Have you ever experienced a hot air balloon ride?”
“Yeah.” My voice was breathless, dazed.
He reeled back. “You have?”
“I mean, kinda. If you mean, experience it as in watching it on television. I watched a romantic comedy once where the hero surprised the woman and took her on a hot air balloon ride on their first date. I think you must’ve watched it.”
“Are you saying this is cliché?” His eyes followed Noah and James, who pulled out the balloon from the bag and unwrapped it on the field. “I guess it’s not really original.”
My gaze traveled back to him. Is he pouting? Good God, it was the beginning of a pout. I doubted that word was even in his vocabulary.
“I’m kidding, Charles. It’s perfect.” I turned to face him fully. “Seriously, it’s perfect that it’s in the movies. I always dreamed about being that girl, wined and dined.”
He nodded, but he wasn’t convinced. “It’s not original. I mean, the last time I went on a first date was in high school. The first date I ever took Nat on was to the movies and to the local Steak ’n Shake. It’s been a while, so I”—he averted his stare, looking almost bashful—“I googled romantic first dates.”
The corners of my lips turned down, trying to keep in my smile. Now, wasn’t he the cutest? “I love it. It’s perfect.” I snuggled next to his side, and my arms wrapped around his waist.
A hint of a smile surfaced. “And I did bring the wine, if you were wondering.” He lifted up his picnic basket.
Ahead of us, the two men had spread the balloon flat across the field. The nylon was an array of bright colors of the rainbow—vibrant yellows, oranges, reds, greens, purples and blues.
“Can both of you assist us?” James called out.
They positioned us at the bottom of the balloon, at the opening, which was called the mouth.
James placed the edge of the balloon in my hands. “All you have to do is hold on tight. We’re going to get the burners started and fill this baby up. Whatever you do, don’t let go.”
I nodded, but my heart was beating like crazy.
Charles was on the other end, mirroring holding the mouth of the balloon. He staggered his stance, and so did I. When Noah ignited the burners, hot air blasted in my face, but then the balloon inflated, getting