Rose had this warm, unbothered energy that made rooms feel softer. She was obsessed with Disney, had an encyclopedic knowledge of its rides, and claimed she’d marry in front of Cinderella’s castle. Lucas just smiled and listened. He liked her excitement. He liked her.
For her birthday, Lucas surprised her with a trip to Disneyland. She squealed when he showed her the tickets, jumping into his arms. “You remembered!” she said. Of course he had. She’d been dreaming about this trip since they met.
Rose was most excited for the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. “I’ve waited for this since I was, like, five,” she said. Lucas chuckled as she tugged his hand, dragging him toward the entrance. The line was long, but Rose barely noticed. Her eyes were already lit with anticipation.
The boat dipped into darkness. Animatronic pirates danced under spotlights. Rose clutched his arm, whispering facts about each scene. Lucas laughed, taking photos of her, soaking in her joy. Then the ride curved around a corner—and everything inside him suddenly shifted.