“I’m going to tell you something funny, but please don’t think I’m weird or anything.”

His eyes remain trained on my face, sincere.

“You know,” I snort, giggling. “The day I met you, something strange happened. I saw a comet. I was so mesmerized that I didn’t notice the huge crowd of VIP fans heading towards me. But because of that comet, I ended up backstage. Because of that comet, I met you in the red room.
“And now that I think about it, it pretty much sums up who you are to me: a huge star-like entity that came out of nowhere and lit up my sky; like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’re my one and only Aden – for all that that means. And it means a lot. So yes, I do think we were meant to meet. Not that it changes anything.”

I hold in my breath, trying to keep my eye on a bird flying towards us. I guess I didn’t expect to be so apprehensive about his reaction.

“Nothing might have changed for you, but that changes everything for me.”

I freeze. Still, Aden insists are snapping out me out of my stupor.

“Look at me.”

I turn my head to face him.

“If there’s a reason we met, then that’s all the more reason to stay together. You’re not doing me a favour anymore, Princess.” He smiles, entrancing me. “It was meant to be like this. And if it was destiny for me to hold you here in my arms, then I’m more than happy to comply. Aren’t you?”

My mouth hangs open. How did he come up with the perfect response to such a heartfelt confession? Aden Arrington is so romantic. His words are so sweet, and his gesture warms my heart, like when he sent me Fondue. I smile widely.

A part of me wants to react like a normal person and tell him to not take himself so seriously, but I’m not normal when it comes to him. I love him. So, hearing him say he wants to stay with me is a dream come true. There’s only one thing standing in our way now.

“Do you ever wish you could have a normal life?” I ask, still reticent to be too overtaken by joy.

All the while, Aden takes his time before answering.

“No, not really. I am who I am. I can’t imagine being anyone else.” When I remain silent, he probes. “Did you think I would want a different life?”

“Maybe. Some celebrities fantasize about it.”

He shakes his head, still on my shoulder.

“McKay?”

“Yes, Fondue?”

He smiles, leaning in to say softly in my ear.

“I’m blessed to be doing what I love. Plus, it’s a journey that led me to you.”

“That’s just a lucky coincidence.”
I grin wryly as he laughs and cuddles me closer.

“More like a series of lucky coincidences.”

“I thought you didn’t believe in those.”

“I didn’t believe in many things until I met you.”

“Well, that’s incredibly cheese and also: mind keeping your beliefs to yourself?” I tease.

“Why would I? WORLD!”

“Saying it where no one can hear you – smart.”

“My entire world is right here.” My heart seems to skip a beat at his words while he nuzzles my cheek. “My favourite series of lucky coincidences.”

Emotion wells up in me. Aden is too good at this. I am in love with him; there’s no two ways about it. But I’m not ready to tell him yet, even though there has never been a more perfect location for that.

No, I’m going to lie back into the warmth of his arms and let myself be in love in this moment, with this moment, with this view, with this love, with him and with myself.

“You’re mine.”

The basket begins to descend after a few minutes. Aden’s hair belts all around my face as he buries his in my neck. Once we’re down, he helps me out and walks with me back to the red room.
I can't help it. It was all so romantic but our love is no less impossible than it was when the crane ascended. A sense of doom envelops me, making me queasy.

“I hope you enjoyed yourself.”

I nod in response as he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Do you want to watch us do the sound checks?”

“No.” I mumble.

“Or you could come with me to hair and …”

He trails off and sighs when he catches my expression.

“I’m sorry I don’t have a lot of free time to give.”

“Aden, I’m seriously fine.” I say, wondering if I'm really fooling him.

“I know this is not anyone’s idea of fun, but I was hoping you would come. I’d love to be able to see you even though I’m working.”

His demeanour is suddenly so shy. My heart melts immediately.

“Okay, I’ll watch you do sound check. I hope you don’t mind if I skip hair and makeup. I’m not a fan of large crowds.”

He loosely wraps his arms around me.

“I know.” He kisses my cheek again, delicately, before staring into my eyes for the longest time. “You still have the kindest eyes. I hope you always look at me with that kindness.”

I blink at his statement. I should tell him I love him; I really should. But I still can’t. Nothing's ever going to change his desire to follow his dreams. Instead, I opt to exaggerate the innocence of my gaze and stand on my tiptoes to even his hair.

“Always.”

He pecks my nose and releases me to be on his way.

As promised, I show up when I hear the first mic adjustments happening. The guys are dispersed throughout the stage as if they’re already performing except, they’re singing very low. I watch Aden look around seemingly frustrated and distracted. I stand off the stage, waving to get his attention. When he finally sees me, his face breaks out into a beautiful grin.

In between the first and second sound check, Aden jumps off the stage and comes to kiss my face repeatedly in the cutest fashion.

“Are you sure you don’t want to be a groupie? I think I’d be much more amenable to the daily sound checks if you were always around to watch me.”

I laugh as he saunters back onto the stage and the second sound check starts. Once that’s done, I go backstage again since I’m tired of being on display and wait for Aden to come find me, even as my mood is considerably better now.

“We’re going to this place, Patina’s, tonight. You know it?”

“I’ve been a few times.”

Patina’s is one of the nicest clubs in Cleveland.

“I know you’re not dressed for it, but I want you to come with.”

“I will.”

“Good.” He pecks my forehead quickly and runs to get ready.

In the meantime, Danatha and I spend the rest of the afternoon hearing vague music switching on and off and talking about nothing. Soon, the sun begins to set and a lot more people start walking in and out. I’m nervous about being here, so exposed. I’m relieved when Yves guides us to where the guys are taking a break.

The moment I see Aden, I can’t help smiling. I missed him. He’s sitting on a plastic chair, laughing with some guys I don’t recognise.

“Aden.”

He looks my way, instantly getting up and signalling for me to follow him. Halfway through, he holds my hand in his and I flame. Conversation abates slightly, and some people glance up at us passing by, presumably because Aden Arrington is parading a girl around in the open.

I do my best to focus on Aden only and it becomes easier as we head away from the crowd. Oh, how I’ve missed the smell of him. I can hardly wait to hold him. We arrive at a back alley partially lined with some stacked crates.

My eyes dart towards him as he sits on one of them and moves back so that his legs are dangling from the edge. He spreads his thighs inviting me to sit.

“But I want to see your face.” I pout.

“There’ll be an abundance of that, but for now, I want to watch the very sunset I watched yesterday, only this time with you here, if you don’t mind.”

He places his arms around my midriff and pulls me in to sit between his legs with his head right next to mine.

“Is it different in any way?”
I nod at the descending sun after a while. I hear his smile.

“So much more. Did I mention I missed you?”

He kisses my nape and nibbles my ear, making me giggle.

“It’s hard to miss.”

“I don’t make a habit of policing my body.”

“So, you’re quite used to this.”

“No. The point is that I’m not quite used to any of this at all.”

As the sun goes its way, we linger for a bit, watching some stars wink into existence. The only other source of light is the moon, so the darkness almost swallows us whole. It reminds me of the night of the carnival: just Aden, the moon and me.

I tug at his arm. When I turn, his look is disarming. Damn, what is it about those green eyes? I walk into his space and lace my arms on his shoulders.

“Ask me to kiss you here.” I demand, lids lowered to the patch of skin behind his ear.
When he takes too long, I look up at him watching me.

“Why?”

“Because only you can.”

“Only you can kiss me.” he says.

A gulf of emotion forces it's way down my throat. Why did he have to bring that up? I purse my lips and look away, prompting him to raise my chin.

“What?”

I wheeze. I guess it’s time.

“Are you sure about that?”