I never knew I couldugh like that–as


    giggling like a little girl.


    if I was a kid again. Even in my twenties, I was spinning and


    But after all that twirling, I got so dizzy I could barely stand. I ended up leaning against Hayden’s


    chest.


    That’s when it hit me–this had to be one of his little tricks.


    “When you were little, you loved being spun around like this,” Hayden whispered in my ear.


    I


    I’d met Hayden when I was so young that my memories of those days were fuzzy at best.


    Curious, I asked, “What else did I like when I was little?”


    “You liked being lifted high in the air and riding on my shoulders, pretending I was a horse,” he said.


    My cheeks burned red.


    I tried to act skeptical. “I don’t remember any of that. You could be making it all up, you know.”


    He just smiled and went on. “You loved ying in the water, too. You’d jump around, sshing


    everywhere, soaking yourself from head to toe.”


    *Anything else?” I asked, getting more interested.


    If people were likeputers, this would be a serious glitch–not being able to remember anything


    from before you were five. Those early years are supposed to be the purest, most beautiful time.


    Maybe if everyone could remember their childhood, it’d heal a lot of the stuff they go through as


    adults.


    “There’s more,” he continued. “You loved listening to stories, especially fairy tales. But I didn’t know


    how


    to tell them back then, so you used to call me stupid.”


    Iughed, and he kept going. “After that, I read tons of fairy tales, just for you. But I never got to see


    you again, so I never got the chance to tell you any of them.”


    “Why didn’t we see each other again?” I asked, suddenly wanting to know more about those lost


    childhood days.


    “Because Yuna was born, and her health wasn’t great. So my mom took us to live with my grandma


    so she could help take care of Yuna while my mom worked,” Hayden said, his voice dropping as


    those memories


    washed over him.


    I hugged him tighter, trying to lighten the mood. “So what else did I do as a kid? From what you’re


    saying, sounds like I was a total troublemaker.”


    “You were a little rascal,” Hayden said softly, brushing his chin against the top of my head. “Always


    up to something, but too adorable to stay mad at.”


    Iughed. “Hayden, be honest–did you have a crush on me even back then?”


    “Yeah,” he said, without missing a beat.


    I gave him a yful punch on the shoulder. “Seriously? was just a little kid! Didn’t you feel…


    weird?”


    He exined, “It wasn’t like that. It was just innocent, you know? Like pure, simple affection. Don’t


    read too much into it.”


    After a pause, he added, “But I’ve gotta say, no one’s ever been as adorable as you–not even


    Yuna.”


    My heart did this weird flip–flop. This was such a rare kind of love, something totally unique.


    “So, when you saw me and recognized me, you decided you wanted to marry me?” I teased.


    Hayden was quiet for a couple of seconds. “That’s part of it.”


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    “Part of it? What’s the other part?” I could tell he was baiting me, trying to make me follow his lead.


    “Because…” he trailed off, leaving me hanging.


    I pulled back a little to look up at him, which, thanks to our height difference, meant I was staring


    right at his jawline. And wow, it was surprisingly sexy.


    This was dangerous. I’d already found his Adam’s apple attractive, his face gorgeous, and now


    even his jawline was doing things to me.


    It’s true what they say when you’re in love, even the most random stuff about that person seems


    beautiful.


    Lost in my thoughts, I gave his side a yful pinch. “Because of what?”


    He looked down, his eyes meeting mine. “Because you have to take responsibility for me.”


    I blinked, a little confused. “What?”


    “You stole my first kiss,” Hayden said, his words making my cheeks flush pink.


    “Now


    way! You’re making that up just because I don’t remember!” I shot back.


    He nced up at the sky, a teasing smile forming on his lips. “After you kissed me, I told you that


    girls shouldn’t just go around kissing boys.”


    I could see the amusement in his eyes, like he was reminiscing about how clueless I’d been back


    then. I reached up and tugged at his lips. “Hey, noughing!”