Free Competing With the Star (Star #2) by Krysten Lindsay Hager

said. “We’re gonna go do rides. Enjoy the kiddie games.”
    Simone giggled. “There’s a little fishing pole game in a baby pool too, if you get bored.”
    “Haha, have fun,” Nick said.
    I went first, but it took me a while to get warmed up. I was nervous shooting in front of Nick and I missed my first two attempts. I got the next two balls through the hoop and got four tickets.
    “Okay, my turn,” he said. He made all four baskets and the guy working the booth said he could have a unicorn, a bear, or try to make four more baskets for a better prize.
    “Anything you want?” Nick asked me, nodding at the shelf with the bigger stuffed animals.
    “Is that a red panda?” I asked. The worker held him up for me to see.
    “Oh, look at that little face,” I said. “He’s so sweet and cute.”
    “Really? The red panda over the white tiger?” Simone said, coming up behind me.
    “Yeah, I love him. He’s my spirit animal.”
    “Okay, one red panda coming up,” Nick said.
    He made all four baskets and the guy handed him the stuffed animal.
    “I believe this is your spirit animal,” Nick said, smiling at me.
    I hugged the toy. “Cutest thing ever.”
    “It bodes well for me that you didn’t want the tiger. That was another four baskets,” he said, laughing.
    Simone asked Connor if he wanted to play, but he said games were lame and went to get cotton candy for the girls, who were now all crowded around us.
    “Char, do you want me to get you some more tickets toward your tiger?” Nick asked.
    “Nah, I want to win it myself. Thanks though.”
    “Are there any rides you like?” Nick asked me.
    “I’m kind of a scaredy-cat about anything with heights and speed,” I said.
    “I’m into speed, but not anything that spins too much.”
    “I can do spin-y, it’s the rest I don’t care for,” I said.
    Reagan smirked. “I guess you guys aren’t ride compatible, huh? One likes fast, one likes slow.”
    Nick turned to me. “How about the merry-go-round? Everyone likes that, right?”
    I agreed and we all headed over. We were about to go through the gate when Morgan handed her purse off to Pilar.
    “Will you hold my bag while I ride?” she asked her.
    Reagan passed off her purse as well and soon the rest of the group was through the gate while Pilar stood there like a coat rack. She snapped her gum and looked annoyed, but then I saw Lucas wink at her. She just stared back at him.
    I got on a horse that was between Asia and Nick. He looked over and smiled at me. It felt like the perfect moment until Simone turned around on her horse and said, “Hey, Hadley, look into the future,” and nodded at an old couple sitting on one of the merry-go-round benches.
    Nick glanced at me, confused. “What is she talking about?”
    “Nothing. We were just talking about older married people one day. That’s all.”
    “Oh. Well, they look like they’re having fun,” he said.
    Simone shot me a knowing look and turned back around.
    “What’s with her?” Nick asked, leaning over to me.
    I shrugged.
    “Are you having fun? You got kind of quiet all of a sudden. Everything okay?” He reached out and touched my hand.
    The music started and we started to move.
    “Yeah, I’m having a good time.”
    “You sure?” he asked.
    I was with the perfect guy—someone sweet and thoughtful who cared if I was having fun. How could I not have a good time? But I just kept wondering if Simone was right and I was just his safe option until he got bored with me and wanted one of those girls who made your heart pound just by walking by.
    “Yeah, and I love the red panda. It’s the cutest thing ever,” I said.
    “Nah, not as cute as you,” he said, winking.
    My face got warm. How could Simone not see how amazing our relationship was? He was perfect. But I guess I might be bored too if I was used to Hollywood parties and celebrity guys. That’s probably all that was—she was putting herself in my shoes and thinking how boring we