Tania stares at it. “How old is that thing?”
“It’s fine.” I park and kill the engine. “Trust me.”
Her hesitation tells me she’s not sure she should.
We cross the tarmac, and Mike waves from the hangar. I’ve been jumping with him for years. He’s a good guy, but he doesn’t talk too much.
Mike extends a hand to Tania. “First-timer?”
“Unfortunately.” She shakes his hand.
“You’ll love it.” He grins at her, and his hand lingers.
My back teeth grind together.
We walk into the office, and across the room, Mike walks Tania through the safety briefing while I gear up. Harness. Altimeter. Helmet. Motions I could do in my sleep.
Then he’s adjusting Tania’s harness, with his hands on her waist, and then he’s tightening straps across her hips. She’s asking questions, and he’s answering, standing too close.
I force myself to look away. But looking away lasts thirty seconds. I’m back to watching. Mike’s still talking to her, laughing at something she said, and his hand lingers on the strap near her ribs.
I cross to them. “Take care of her. She’s my wife.”
Mike’s eyebrows lift. “Wife?” He grins. “Congratulations, man. Didn’t know you got married.”
“Recently.”
“Well, she’s in good hands. I’ll keep her safe.”
I’m not smiling. “You better.”
Tania rolls her eyes at me, but there’s amusement in her expression. Mike finishes the harness check and steps back.
The plane is cramped. Tania sits in front of Mike, strapped tight to his chest. I sit across from them, close enough that my knees brush hers.
Her fingers grip the bench edge. White-knuckled.
“You’re going to love it,” I tell her.
Her hands are shaking. “Or die screaming.”
“You won’t die.” Those are the most reassuring words I can muster.
“You don’t know that.”
“I do.” I hold her gaze. “You’re safe.”
The plane climbs. The engine rattles through the seats, loud enough that talking becomes pointless. Tania’s eyes stay on mine, and I don’t break contact.
At altitude, Mike moves first. He’s clipped to Tania, positioning her at the open door. Wind screams through the cabin, and her hair whips wild.
Mike checks her harness one last time. “Ready?”
Her head swivels in my direction.
I grin. “See you down there, Red.”
They tip forward, and then they’re gone. I wait thirty seconds and move to the door. The world stretches below—fields, rivers cutting green, and an endless sky.
