Cassian dragged her from one ridiculous attraction to the next, VIP pass flashing like some royal badge of honor. They started with the carousel, which Sienna flat-out refused to ride until he picked the most ridiculous white unicorn and mounted it like it was a throne. She nearly choked on her own laughter, then climbed onto the one next to him—an oddly furious-looking dolphin.
"Did you pick this on purpose?" she asked as they slowly rotated.
Cassian gave the dolphin a regal nod. "He looked like he had main character energy."
She giggled at him trying to sound younger.
They moved on to bumper cars, where Sienna drove like an absolute menace and Cassian made the mistake of taunting her once.
Once.
She slammed into him so hard he nearly flipped sideways in his seat.
"This is retaliation, isn't it?" he yelled over the music.
"For the week I had? You're lucky I didn't hotwire this thing into a rocket."
Their laughter filled the air, too loud and too unguarded. Neither of them tried to hold it back.
The roller coasters came next. Sienna insisted she would not be getting on anything with loops or drops or that shook like a death trap. Cassian grinned like a villain and dragged her into the queue anyway.
"Cassian Hayes," she hissed as they neared the loading area. "I swear, if I die—"
"You'll haunt me forever. Worth it."
When the ride began, she screamed.
Then cursed.
Then screamed some more.
By the time they stumbled out, windblown and breathless, Sienna's legs were jelly and Cassian looked like he'd just won a championship.
"I hate you," she gasped.
"You screamed my name. It was a beautiful moment."
She shoved him, laughing.
Cassian leaned back against the railing of the arcade booth, the last echoes of Sienna's laughter still curling in the summer air. Her hair was slightly windswept, the ridiculous black animal ear headband still perched perfectly atop her head. She looked—he didn't even know. Happy? Real? Like a version of herself only a few people ever got to see.
He couldn't look away.
They moved on from the arcade with slushies in hand, and Sienna groaned dramatically. "My legs feel like overcooked noodles. I blame you."
"You're welcome," he replied.
"I need a massage. Or a raise."
"I'll give you both."
She blinked. "What?"
Cassian took a long sip of his drink. "You heard me."
She narrowed her eyes at him, but before she could question it, he nodded toward the Ferris wheel now sparkling in twilight hues. "Come on. One more."
"I swear, if this thing flips over—"
"Just get in, Caldwell."
The ride lifted them slowly above the park, the city stretching in glittering lights around them. The sounds of laughter and rides faded beneath the wind, replaced by the soft hush of spinning wheels and heartbeats.
Sienna stared out at the skyline. "I used to think I'd live somewhere like that. High up. Glass windows. Clean lines."
Cassian watched her profile. "And now?"
"I think I'd rather have a porch. And trees."
"Porch suits you."
She glanced at him. "You saying I look old?"
"No." He leaned his head back against the seat. "I'm saying you look like someone who deserves quiet."
That shut her up.
The light in the sky had shifted—soft oranges melting into deep purple, streaks of lavender brushing the horizon. From up here, it was like the world had paused just for them. The rooftops below shimmered, the park glowing like a constellation of its own. It was beautiful.
And Cassian—
Cassian looked unfair in this light. The sunset caught the edges of his face, turning his skin gold, brushing warmth across the sharp lines of his jaw. His eyes, usually stormy and unreadable, were hit just right—burnished amber in the glow, like honey stirred with secrets. She caught her breath without meaning to.
He turned to her then, catching her mid-stare. A slow, knowing smile curved on his lips.
She looked away quickly, cheeks warm.
He was still watching her.
"Stop looking at me like that," she muttered.
"Like you can't take your eyes off me because I'm objectively too hot?" he offered, smug.
She narrowed her eyes. "You're unbelievable."
Cassian shrugged one shoulder, unbothered. "I'm just saying what we're both thinking."
She scoffed. "Arrogant much?"
He grinned wider. "Confident. And hot. It's a dangerous combo."
Silence fell between them then, just the creaking hum of the Ferris wheel turning and the distant pulse of the fairground below.
Then he said, almost too casually, "You're beautiful."
Sienna froze.
Her head snapped toward him. "Cassian."
He looked straight at her, unbothered. "What?"
"Stop."
"I'm just saying the truth."
"Cassian—"
But he didn't stop. He kept looking at her, like she was something he'd never be done admiring.
In that moment, with the sunset glow kissing her skin, Sienna looked otherworldly. Her hair caught the light, casting a halo of copper and shadow around her head. The faint blush dusting her cheeks from laughter—or embarrassment—made her even more radiant. Her lips were still curled from teasing, but her eyes held a kind of softness that cracked through the mask she wore at work. She wasn't just beautiful. She was glowing.
And he told her so.
"You're glowing, you know," he said softly, like he couldn't help himself. "You're beautiful...."
She turned an even deeper shade of red, hand flying up to fan her face. "Cassian, stop."
"Nope."
"Seriously—"
"I'm just speaking facts."
"Stop talking or I swear—"
He grinned. "Still glowing."
And Cassian—he looked utterly undone by it.
"I've seen you in heels yelling at subcontractors and wearing flannel socks eating instant ramen in the office at midnight. And I'm telling you—you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
Her face turned a deep shade of red. "You need to shut up."
"Make me."
Without thinking, she stood up and reached across to slap a hand over his mouth—but the car shifted with her sudden movement. The Ferris wheel jolted slightly, tilting the cart just enough to send her stumbling.
She landed in his lap, his arms instinctively wrapping around her to steady her.
Her face was inches from his. Their breath mingled.
She looked up. He looked down.
Their eyes locked. Her heart pounded. Her lips parted.
Then his head dipped—
But the ride lurched to a stop with a loud mechanical groan.
They both jumped.
Sienna scrambled off him like the seat was on fire, cheeks blazing.
"God—nope—we're done," she muttered, practically leaping out of the cart as the door was opened.
Cassian followed at a more leisurely pace, biting back a smile.