The other settles on my thigh.
It’s nice to not have to explain this one to Laney.
Pretty sure she knows Emma lost a friend to a skydiving accident in college.
“This is different, huh?” she asks.
“Already know the chute works.”
“You gonna tell her?”
“If she asks.” I settle my hand over Laney’s.
She doesn’t pull away.
Instead, she flips her hand upside down and intertwines our fingers.
Like this is real.
Like it’s athing.
Simmer down, I tell my heart.
Fucker doesn’t listen.
Especially when she squeals again. “Fourwhales! Look!Fourof them!”
“Wanna swim with them?”
“Oh, no, I couldn’t. It’s their water. Let them have it.”
I side-eye her.
She smiles wider. “It’snotan excuse. It’s how I feel. I’d swim with dolphins though.”
“What else?”
“Stingrays? Although, we did that once at a resort in the Caribbean.Stop. Don’t make that face. You know where I come from.”
“So what’s on your adventure bucket list?”
“Hot-air balloon ride.”
Zero hesitation.None. “Done,” I tell her. “You. Me. Hot-air balloons in Denver. Next week.”
“June. And don’t even try tothat’s no fun, Laney, live a littleme about this. I refuse to be terrifiedandfreezingandsubject to unpredictable winter winds that close to the mountains.”
She’s researched hot-air balloons.
Adorable. I like it. Very Laney of her.
“June,” I agree. “What else?”
“Zip lining.”
“Added to the list.”
“Have you zip-lined?”
