Page 28 of Married to Murder
I’d managed to convince him to try parasailing, and judging from the look on his face, he was regretting his decision. “You’ll love it. It’s freeing. It’s just you and the clouds up there.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” he muttered.
“Not really. You’re about to experience it for yourself.” I grinned and turned to my buddy Randy. “Go easy on him.”
Randy nodded, giving me a cursory salute. “Of course. We’re not the number one parasailing company in town because we torture our customers.”
I jumped down from the stern platform where Tanner was balanced, and perched on the side of the boat. “Just enjoy the ride, man.” I gave Tanner a thumbs-up.
“You should come with me,” Tanner said, his voice wobbling.
“I just went. I want you to experience what it’s like up there alone. If I’m there, you’ll be distracted.”
He sighed. “That’s the truth.”
I smiled, aware of Randy’s curious look. “Just have fun. Let go. Let flow, dude.”
“There aren’t sharks in this water, right?” Tanner’s gaze was pointed.
“Oh, well.” I grimaced. “You’re not going to be in the water, so don’t worry about it.”
He widened his eyes. “What? So that’s a yes?”
“Well… it’s the ocean, man. There could be sharks, but they’re not interested in us.”
Groaning, Tanner said, “Like I said, how the hell did I let you talk me into this?”
Randy had his assistant, Tim, double check the rig Tanner wore, and then he revved the motor. “First we’re going to let the parasail fill with air and then we’re going to clip you in and have you sit down and adjust the seat under your rear end. If it gets uncomfortable at any time, you can just pull the seat forward under your thighs.”
“Okay.” Tanner nodded, fiddling with the harness.
Randy pushed the throttle and the boat began to move forward. The purple and red sail fluttered and filled with air, puffing up into the shape of an umbrella top.
“Okay, go ahead and hook him in, Tim,” Randy called out to his helper.
“You’ve got it.” Tim leapt gracefully up to where Tanner stood, and he hooked the parasail straps into Tanner’s harness.
“All set,” Tim said, patting Tanner’s shoulder.
Randy pressed his lips together and gunned the motor. “Ready or not, here comes the fun times!”
“Oh, God.” Tanner clenched his teeth as the boat surged forward. The craft sped up, and Tanner’s eyes widened. The sail began to drag against the wind current, lifting it higher.
“You’re doing great,” I yelled over the sound of the engine. “Remember, just have fun.”
“Yeah, right,” Tanner called out, looking uneasy. His feet lifted off the deck and he began to slowly rise into the air. He let out a loud yelp, and as the rig in the center of the boat slowly fed the line, he ascended into the sky like a kite.
I lowered my sunglasses to shield my eyes, and I watched Tanner as he floated farther and farther away. The boat bounced on the water as we sped along, towing Tanner behind us. Tim continued to let out the line so that Tanner could go even higher. Once he was sure Tanner was doing well, Randy turned to me.
“So what gives?” he asked, with a puzzled expression on his face.
“What do you mean?”
“You and Tanner. He’s not really your usual type, is he?” Randy squinted up at Tanner hovering in the sky.
“You don’t like him?” I stalled, unsure of how to answer him. Our engagement wasn’t supposed to be a secret, but I also hadn’t gone out of my way to mention it to anyone I knew in town. The idea of being involved in a marriage of convenience was still really weird to me. Plus, no one but Tanner’s family was supposed to know the marriage wasn’t real. I was always afraid people would be able to tell my marriage was a sham from my expression.
“I didn’t say that. He seems nice.” He cleared his throat. “But I’ve never seen you with a guy whose haircut costs more than your car.”
