<b>Chapter </b><b>172 </b>
<b>“</b>That’s more like it.” Alessia’s face showed a hint of mock annoyance, but relief softened her eyes.
It was the weekend, and the amusement park was packed. The two adults kept the kids sandwiched safely between them, each holding a small hand.
Both Alessia and Cole were in good shape from years of exercise, but the kids‘ energy was on a different level altogether. By the time they’d made a full round of the park, the kids were more hyped up than ever, not the least bit tired.
After getting off the roller coaster, Alessia and the others found a shady spot outside an ice cream shop. With grins on all their faces, Alessia nced at her watch and, for the first time, felt that time could actually slow down.
The bell at the shop door jingled as Cole stepped out, bncing a small wooden tray with four cups of ice cream. The two little ones‘ eyes lit up, their gaze glued to the sweet treats in Cole’s hands as if nothing else existed.
With ice cream to upy them, the kids finally quieted down. Their feet swung back and forth, betraying their good moods. It was still warm for September, and both their cheeks were flushed pink.
Alessia stretched out her hand, and Cole immediately fished a pack of wet wipes from the bag, pulling one halfway out before handing it to her. Alessia took a sheet, folded it neatly, and pressed it to her forehead, finally feeling a bit of relief from the heat.
York’s gaze darted back and forth between the adults, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Are you and Alessia dating?” he asked suddenly.
“And where did you learn to say things like that?” Alessia chuckled, genuinely curious about where York picked up these odd little phrases.
“Zane told me. He said he’s dating a girl from the ss next door.”
Alessia grabbed another wipe and ced it on York’s forehead. The sudden coolness made York squint his eyes in delight.
Ivan stared at Alessia expectantly. She caught on quickly and gave him a wipe for his forehead, too. Ivan closed his eyes, swung his legs contentedly, and smiled.
“So, are you dating or not?” York pressed, undeterred.
<b>14:43 </b>
Alessia <b>had </b><b>expected York </b><b>to </b><b>get </b><b>distracted and </b><b>move </b><b>on</b><b>, </b><b>but he </b><b>peeled </b><b>off </b><b>the </b><b>wipe</b><b>, </b>dabbed it across his face, and <b>fired </b>the question again.
<b>She </b>didn’t answer, turning to Cole with a raised eyebrow and a barely suppressed <b>smile</b>, <b>as </b>if curious to see how he’d handle it.
Cole couldn’t help himself–he mussed up her hair yfully, then smoothed it back into ce.
“Not yet,” he said, but the unspoken promise was clear: someday, definitely.
Neither of them could imagine a future that didn’t include the other. If it wasn’t each other by their side, nothing else would ever make sense.
Alessia just smiled, saying nothing at all.
York cocked his head and looked at Ivan. “Grown–ups love talking in riddles just to mess with us, don’t they?”
Ivan blinked twice, looking adorably clueless.
York sighed dramatically. “Honestly, if you don’t go to school, you won’t even know when people are tricking you.”
Ivan paused, spoonful of ice cream hovering midair, while York kept going.
“Look at you–shy, never go out, barely say a word, can’t even read. There’s a whole world of fun and food out there, and none of it would have anything to do with you. Like this ice cream–if you hadn’te to the park today, would you be eating it now?<b>” </b>
To make his point, York scooped up a huge bite and popped it into his mouth in front of Ivan–only to wince and clutch his forehead from the brain freeze.
Alessia couldn’t help butugh, leaning naturally against Cole as she watched the two kids go back and forth.
Cole turned to her, gently wiping her forehead with another wet wipe and carefully smoothing her hair out of her face.
For both of them, it felt like there was only ever one person who mattered.