A sweet ride to new love

Izzy arrives at the local fair expecting a sweet summer outing with friends. Then she meets Jackson—and sparks fly!

- Sandra Smith

The late summer sun warmed Izzy Moreno’s face as she strolled the Midway with her friends Grace and Evan Adams.

“Thanks for letting me be the third wheel on your day out to the State Fair,” she said.

“Of course,” Grace said, wrinkling her nose. “We can’t let you come alone after that weasel, Bryce dumped you.”

“Yep, he’s not spoiling my favorite event of the summer,” Izzy replied, swallowing the memories of last year with Bryce. They had spent hours on the fastest and highest rides. Izzy’s favorite ride was always the Super Coaster.

Izzy picked up her pace to the jaunty tune of the calliope, mixed with the excited voices of smiling fairgoers. She inhaled the delicious scent of fried foods and grinned. “Where should we start?” she asked, her gaze sweeping the bright colored booths, rows of fun prizes, trailers and an array of carnival rides.

Grace exchanged a quick look with Evan before responding: “We're meeting a friend at the funnel cake truck.”

“Who?” Izzy asked, instantly suspicious.

“Jackson Peters, Evan’s coworker.”

Izzy groaned. “Grace, of all days for you to fix me up with someone.”

“It’s not a fix-up. Jackson’s alone, so Evan invited him.”