Where Drake was all light, Dane was all darkness.
"Lovely to meet you."
He gripped my hand, giving it a warm, solid shake.
And damn, wish I was as lucky as their wife. Two men? Gr-owl!
"Is your wife joining us?"
They both laughed.
"Nope," Drake said, still chuckling as he pulled a harness and helmet from the wall. "She's petrified of heights. Won't even go into the hayloft for fear of falling."
I tilted my head back, grimacing as I took in the solid ladder that led up into the converted loft space. "I feel her."
"Uh-oh." Drake shook his head. "Don't tell me you're scared of heights."
"Only like ninety-nine-point-nine percent of the time."
They both sighed, shaking their heads in unison.
"Right, let's get you fitted."
Drake handed me a harness, explaining how to put it on as he watched. Behind him, Dane checked the rest of the equipment, making notes on his tablet as he went.
"Now, I'll just tighten this for you." Drake reached over, tightening the straps. "What we want is tight but not strangulation. You need room to move and not get pinched by the harness." He stepped back, gesturing at the straps. "How's that?"
I gave a little shimmy, walking a few steps and then giving him a nod. "Feels good."
"Great. Now have a go climbing the ladder over there, just a few rungs, we want to see that it's not riding up or falling down anywhere it shouldn't."
I blinked. "Sorry, what?"
He gestured at the ladder. "Just over there."
Silently cursing Chrissy, I moved to the ladder, trying desperately not to look like a fool as I began to scramble up the rungs.
"Hey, is this the right place for zip-lining?"
I glanced over my shoulder and died. I actually felt my spirit leave my body as I stared in horror at the three men clustered in the doorway, all of whom were, in turn, staring at my ass.
To be fair, the only exercise clothing I owned involved novelty-themed leggings, so maybe they were staring at the baby Yoda faces decorating my lower half… but still… dead.
"Yep, come on in." Drake gestured them over. "We're just getting your fourth member for today sorted. I'll be right with you."
My head twisted around, and I stared at my hands where they clutched at the wooden rung, a flush working its way up my neck to burn like the lava on my cheeks.
"Hey, Karen? You okay up there?"
You mean apart from the mortification?
I nodded, sucking in a breath then began the climb back down. "Yep, fine.”
Back on the ground, I found Dane handing out harnesses and helmets.
"Feels like work, hey boss?" one of the younger guys cracked to the older man in their group.
"Only, I have to put up with your crap today," the guy with the attractive salt and pepper hair cracked back.
