He nods and folds up the top of the cotton candy bag before throwing it away too.

“I had to try,” he says.

I don’t answer. Maybe there was no real moment between us—just an illusion to manipulate me.

He starts walking away, and I follow.

The crowd trickles down the farther we head to the edge until we reach a closed-off area with silent, unmoving rides behind flimsy panels of fencing. Roman pulls back one panel, and I slide through. They’re really not trying very hard to keep people out. We wind back down a walkway, past giant turquoise columns that seem to be supporting some out-of-service ride. Round globes still light the walkway, but it’s darker back here. Empty. We stop at the very edge of the park, next to chain-link fencing. Dense trees grow on the other side, making this little nook feel even more hidden. A turnstile exit sits back here, but it pops out into a deserted side street.

“So we just wait for them?” I ask.

“We can bait them.”

I reach for one of my knives, but Roman grabs my wrist to stop me.

“No. I’m the bait. I’ll do it, and then they’ll be gunning for me instead.” He pulls out one of his knives and twirls it between his fingers.

The tiny burst of his power makes my skin tingle. I raise my eyebrows. “I thought you didn’t like being showy.”

“Never said I didn’t have the skill.” He tucks the knife back in his sleeve. “We need to seem preoccupied.”

“How so?”

He’s not quite looking at me, which is odd. I’m used to his direct stares that see right through me.

Then I get it. This is the make-out hunting section.

“Oh,” I say. I try to chuckle. “Is this how you and Willow hunt vampires?”

His eyes widen, and he rocks back on his heels. “No. Willow and I aren’t… I didn’t mean we should actually…” He sighs and composes himself. “It’s just the most practical position.”

It gives me a little thrill that I got him flustered for a second.

“Okay, then, where do you want me?”

He doesn’t even crack a smile as he points to the fence. “Put your back against it.”

I listen. The metal digs into my shoulders, and I can’t imagine actually choosing to make out with someone in this position.

Roman closes in on me, using his hands to brace himself against the fence so our bodies are close but not touching, but if someone stumbled on us from behind, well, it’d look like we were two people enjoying a private moment.