"Break it up you two! We’re here," I ordered as Brian pulled my convertible into a parking spot.

"Okay, okay, okay…" Nick obliged as he pulled away from Lynn’s neck.

"Gee, thanks millions Lara," Lynn said in mock anger.

"You’re so welcome Lynn," I laughed, stepping out of the car.

"Oh shut up you two. Lets go," Brian said, pulling my arm. His hands we so warm and felt good on my cool skin.

We rode the trolley to the park entrance. Nick paid for Lynn. I reached into my pocket to find money to pay for me.

"Nah sweetie, I got it," Brian smiled. Once again I almost melted from his smile.

"Thanks Brian," I said, grinning back at him.

"No problem," he replied and hugged my lightly.

"How about we shop then go on some rides," Lynn suggested.

"Ooookay…" I said and headed into the first store I saw. I spotted a huge, plush panda bear.

"Like it?" Brian asked from behind me.

"It’s cute."

"Want it?"

"I dunno."

"You want it, I know you do. Let me see it real quick," Brian said. I tossed him the panda. He walked over to the register and paid for it. Then he asked the cashier to hold it and we’d return for it later. He walked back over to me and smiled.

"Thanks Bri, but you really didn’t have to," I said truthfully.

"I wanted to. You wanted it so you got it," Brian said softly.

"Aww, thanks."

"No problem baby. Can I talk to you for a second?"

"We are talking."

"No…alone. Away from Lynn and Nick," Brian explained, pulling me toward Nick.

"What Frick?" Nick asked impatiently.

"Nothin’ Frack. We’re splitting, we’ll meet at the car when the park closes. My pager is on. Page me if you need me," Brian said then he and I headed off.

"Okay, here’s far enough away from them Brian," I said, stopping by a big statue of a Clydesdale.

"Okay. Here goes nothing…Lara, I love you," Brian mumbled.

"What?" I asked, completely astounded.

"I love you," he repeated.

"Wow. Bri, I don’t know what to say."

"Please, don’t say anything. I just had to say that. I don’t want it to end our friendship. I never should have said it," Brian kept babbling.

"Shut up," I commanded. Brian looked at me helplessly. I decided on what I had to do. I kissed Brian. He kissed me back and deepened the kiss. We stood there and kissed for a long time. We finally broke apart when we heard a few kids giggling.

"Brian, I love you too," I finally said. I realized it after 17 years, I loved Brain as more than a friend.

"Really?"

"Yes. I just didn’t know that it was love cause it seemed like something so different," I explained, more to myself than to him.

"Lara, will you be my girlfriend?"

"Hmm…well…I kinda like AJ too," I lied, trying not to laugh.

"YOU WHAT???" Brian screamed. I was sure the whole park heard him.

I burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at?" Brian screamed again.

"I was only playing baby. Yes, I’ll be your girlfriend," I chuckled then wrapped my arms around Brian.

"Good. I would have had to kill AJ if you said no," Brian said seriously.

"Oh hush. Lets go on some rides," I said, dragging Brian back in the direction from which we came.

"Where are you taking me?" he demanded. I said nothing. I stopped in front of Montu, the tallest and longest inverted roller coaster in the Southeast.

"NO WAY!" Brian screamed.

"Yes way. Come on," I said, dragging him into the line.

"No, I have a heart condition and I am terrified of heights!" he whined.

"This won’t hurt your heart one lil’ bit and you know that Country Boy. About the heights, that excuse won’t work. You go underground for most of the ride. You’re going and there is no way you will get out of this. You are coming on all the rides with me. So there!"

"Fine, only cause I love you though."

"Works for me!" I replied, we then got on the ride.