After She's Terminal The Alpha Regrets (Elaine and Lucas) novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36

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Chapter 36

Liam and Elaine stood in front of the park. He still couldn’t believe she’d asked him that.

“Just as friends,” Elaine had insisted. “Only because you probably know how to navigate it better than I could.”

He looked over at her now, seeing the nervous excitement in her expression. “It’ll be fun, come on.”

“Ruth would be freaking out right now if she knew I were here,” she said.

“Is that your mom?”

“Stepmother.”

“Well, she’s not here. So forget about her and have some fun.”

They got tickets and went inside. The assault of sound, sight, and smell was immediate. Upbeat music played from strategically placed speakers, filling up the space beneath the murmur of the crowd as parents and children walked through the main path.

Shops decorated like medieval housing lined the street, and rides peeked up in the distance over roofs.

And the smell…

It was enticing and overwhelming all at once. Almost like the pavement was painted with a coat of sugar. Beneath it, she could smell the more savory scents coming from the restaurants.

“Oh my goddess…”

“You like it?” Liam asked. (1

“I don’t know where to start.”

Liam took her hand. “I’ll show you.”

They walk the main road. Liam points out all the different rides they can go on, and even buys her a churro from a stand off the beaten path. 1

Yet the first ride Elaine found herself wanting to go on was the roller coaster. The big one. The one with the drop. Liam caught her staring at it and began to lead her in the direction of the line, but she pulled to a stop.

Elaine couldn’t explain the way her stomach jumped up into her throat.

“Liam…”

“What? Don’t you want to go?”

“Yes and no?” Elaine looked up at the ride again. It seemed like fun. A lot of fun. She shuffled her feet. “I’ve never been on a roller coaster before.”

Liam glanced at the ride, then back to her.

“Are you scared?”

“No!” she scrambled to say. Then hesitated. “Maybe a little nervous.”

Liam smiled. “Nothing to be worried about. Come on, this is a great one.”

“You’ve been on it before?”

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Chapter 38

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“One like it. We have a park like this near my pack. Same kind of rides,” Lucas said. “This one is the most fun. Trust me.” 2

Elaine followed him with hesitant steps toward the ride. She tried not to let her nerves get the better of her as they waited through the line. Closer and closer to the front.

When it was their turn to get on, Elaine almost backed out entirely. Then Liam placed a hand on her shoulder, the weight calming, before leading the way. He slid into the seat. Elaine got in next to him.

The restraints lowered, locking them in place.

Elaine stiffened. “I think I’m going to be sick…”

Liam looked over at her. “It’ll be great! If you get scared, just grab my hand. Just don’t break it if you’re squeezing to hard.” (1)

She managed a tense smile as the ride chugged into motion. The tracks rattled as the cart was pulled away from the platform and up its first incline. She took a breath and looked around.