Page 97 of Adrift

“I’d miss you too.” She stops. “Well, I guess if I’m not back, I would have a hard time missing you.”

“Stop,” I grunt. I don’t want to think about anything bad happening to Haley.

“We’ll bring you back something.” Haley waves at Dante.

“Excellent. I’d like a coffee, black, none of that macchiato, almond-whip bullshit.”

“I’ll do my best.” She smiles.

“I expect nothing less.” Dante goes back to tending the fire.

“Want me to carry you, Haley?” Zane steps forward. And I’m kicking myself for not offering.

“No, I’m good. Two summers ago, a guest wanted a picnic by a tropical waterfall. I had to carry a fully stocked bar kit, a table, and a cooler through the jungle. And I had to get there before the guests to set up.”

“That sounds horrible,” I grunt.

“It was fun once we got there, but I had to run practically because the primary guest was a retired football player. And former running back. The guy ran the rest of the guests to the waterfall. He also got up every morning and wanted his orange juice fresh squeezed and waiting for him on the treadmill.” She glances at me. “But they were totally great. A lot of fun. And super appreciative.”

Zane laughs. “But the real question is . . .”

“Oh, the tip was good. At least, I remember it being good.”

Calvin shakes his head. “If you can’t remember what it was, then it wasn’t really that great.”

“That’s not true.”

“Haley, you’re trying to be nice because Swimmer Boy is here. You know it’s true.” Calvin slaps me on my back.

We hit the edge of the jungle, and I have to wonder if I would have requested something like that if I’d been on any of the cruises as an adult. I sure as fuck hope I wouldn’t have. Having people haul full-ass tables out into the jungle... Candy, yeah, she sure as hell would have. Maybe dad’s last wife would have too.

It hits me. I wouldn’t have stopped it from happening. And I don’t like that, not at all.

Calvin leads the way. We follow the boar’s path for a while, but then he turns off it, heading to the ocean. Zane picks up a stick and moves things out of the path.

“Are you going to give us a hint at what it is, Calvin?” Haley’s walking right behind him, and if I’m not wrong, I think she pinched his ass.

“Do that again, and we’re not going to get there, Haley,” Calvin threatens.

She shrugs and glances over her shoulder, smirking at Zane and me. “Come on, a little clue.”

The jungle is staying the same. Waist-high foliage, coral and rocks below, with pockets of dirt. It’s not an easy hike, but once you get used to what to expect, it’s not too bad.

“How about twenty questions?” Haley sings.

“No,” Calvin spits back. “You just have to wait.”

“You said you wanted this to be fun.” Haley steps too wide, and she stumbles forward into Calvin’s back. But he twists and picks her up in one fluid motion. He has her on his back.

“Fine. Hang on.” Calvin sighs.

She turns and gives us another smile. Oh, we are all in for it. Because I know I’m as wound around her little finger, twice as tight, as Calvin is. I thought he might be the one to be able to say no to her. I guess I’m wrong.

“All right. Zane, you guess first,” Haley says with a joyful tone.

“Is it an animal?” he guesses.

“No,” Calvin says.

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