Page 5 of Unexpected Adventures

“Oh! You live there too?” Denise squeals. “Abby lives in Parkside. Where do you live?”

“Denise,” I utter, none-too-silently.

“It’s okay, Abby, I don’t plan on stalking you.”

Just hearing my name cross his lips sends a tingle through me. Jeez––when did I become susceptible to a handsome face and a smooth voice? Apparently, three minutes ago, when I laid eyes on Mr. Adonis, the epitome of California Dreamin’.

“But if I tell you where I live,” Shaun starts, “can I have your word you won’t stalkme?”

“I make no promises,” I hear myself say. I’m rewarded with rich laughter from the back seat and giggles from my sister.

“So, I take it you gals are headed to Sherri’s for the party?”

“We are,” Denise beams. “I’m part of the celebration!”

“Congrats. Big promotion?” Shaun asks.

“Yes! Your sister has been a wonderful mentor.”

“That she is,” Shaun says. “Knows exactly what to draw out of a person.”

“So, what brings you here, Shaun?” Denise asks.

“Extra time on my hands. Thought I’d spend time with my sis. Guess you had the same thoughts too, Abby?”

“Um, sure. I mean, yes, I wanted to celebrate Denise’s promotion. Only I didn’t know we’d be going to a party at your sister’s.”

“I kinda sprung that on her upon arrival,” Denise confesses. She puts the car in gear and proceeds to drive around Shaun’s car and on toward Sherri’s place. “So, Shaun,” Denise says, looking in the rearview mirror. “What is it you do in San Francisco?” She looks at me, wiggling her eyebrows. I just furrow mine.

“I work at Oxygen Paragliding, gi––”

“No way!” Denise excitedly interrupts. “Abby was just saying how she wanted to sky dive!”

“No, I wasn’t. I just…”

“It’s kinda the same thing, right?”

Shaun chuckles before responding. “Actually, no.” He sees Denise’s pout and confused look, and quickly adds, “But close.”

I turn to look at him as he’s already looking my way. He grins and winks at me. Of course, I blush and turn away, almost grinning myself.

Shaun resumes. “I give instruction on paragliding and parasailing. I can take a person up on a tandem flight if they’re a novice, or people can go solo, if experienced enough.”

“Tandem,” Denise contemplates. “That’s like, two people together? Side-by-side, or back-to-front?”

Chuckling again, Shaun answers. “The instructor is behind the rider.”

“Sounds thrilling! You could do that, right, Abbs?” Again, with the wiggling eyebrows.

“Um, no. Does sound thrilling, but dangerously so,” I meekly reply.

“I’ve been doing it since I was twenty,” Shaun adds.

“Just a few years, then?” I remark. He can’t be but Denise’s age… twenty-five, at the most.

“Actually, ten,” Shaun answers. He sees my surprise as I quickly swing around to look him over, again. “I get that a lot. Older than I look. And experienced.” Again, with the winking.

I swing around, looking out the window. Are we there yet?

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