I hesitate a moment before blowing a breath out and forcing myself to move. I’ve kissed Emmitt before, for God’s sake—there’s no reason for me to make a fuss over our legs pressed against each other.

They seal us in, and I try not to be hyperaware of his warmth, of the lines of his body.

“Did you name it yet?” Emmitt asks, reaching over me to give the wolf a pat.

I shake my head and jolt in surprise when the Ferris wheel starts moving. A smile flickers on Emmitt’s face, though he manages to contain it. “Why, do you have suggestions?”

He shrugs, before holding his hands up to his face. “I think I’d be a great person to name him after.”

I give him an unimpressed look. “No.”

Emmitt sighs, dropping his hands. “It was worth a try.”

This time I’m the one who has to hold back a smile.

“What about Chip?” I ask, patting the wolf absently. “Short for Chipotle.”

Emmitt snorts, shaking his head. “Only you would come up with that. Can it have my last name, then?”

“Chip Ramos?” I tilt my head, considering it. “I suppose it doesn’t sound awful.”

“You’re horrible at giving compliments,” he says, but there’s laughter in his voice. “My dad will be honored to have the family name live on.”

The Ferris wheel comes to a halt. I look down, where the rest of the carnival twinkles beneath the night sky. I inhale quietly in awe and I hear Emmitt take a photo.

Then a pause, followed by another click. When I turn to look at him, the camera is facing me, rather than the view below.

“Your poor camera,” I say, holding a hand out in front of the lens. “It’s seen far too much of my face.”

Emmitt hums, peering at me over the top of the camera. “Or not enough.”

I roll my eyes, gently nudging the camera away. He lowers it to his lap, and suddenly, there’s nothing between us anymore. It’s just me and him, staring at each other quietly at the top of the world.

“How is your birthday so far?” he asks, his eyes passing over my features with careful consideration. As if he sees more than he’s supposed to, as if he sees me.

I shrug, my cheeks warm. “It’s...better than I hoped. Thank you,” I say and offer him a timid smile. “You didn’t have to do all of this.”

“Of course I did. You deserve to be happy today.” Emmitt leans closer and our noses bump into each other. “You deserve to be happy every day.”