Page 77 of 4th Degree

“Most embarrassing moment?”

But those questions soon morph into me asking about things I’m curious about.

“Have you ever hated any of your opponents?”

“Did you like being an only child?”

“What’s your favorite childhood memory?”

In the end, that’s the question that we get lost in. I love hearing the nostalgia in Dominic’s voice as he reminisces about that one memorable summer, as he talks about the family and friends that he spent it with. I inhale every detail that he reveals about himself. I could listen to him talk like this for hours, and I’d still be greedy for more.

I don’t realize how much time has passed until suddenly we’re pulling into a big parking lot. Part of me is disappointed that our conversation has to end, but a bigger part of me is curious about where he’s brought me. Squinting, I look around and try to figure out where we are.

iFly Indoor Skydiving

My jaw drops at the sign on the building. I had a lot of guesses for where we were going, but this wouldn’t have been in my top hundred. I didn’t even know this was a thing.

“We’re going skydiving?” I squeak.

He gives me a gruff nod. “I’ve always wanted to try it, but it’s not exactly something you do by yourself. I figured you might like it. But I only want to do it if this sounds fun to you,” he hurries to add. “If it doesn’t, there are plenty of other things we can spend our time with. Movies, bowling, axe-throwing?—”

“Let’s definitely table the axe-throwing idea, because that sounds amazing,” I interrupt. I never take my eyes off the massive building in front of us, trying to imagine what indoor skydiving looks like. Actual skydiving has never crossed my mind as a possibility in my life, but a simulation sounds…

I take a deep, steadying breath. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

27

DOMINIC

I let out a breath of relief as I open the door for Skylar and guide her inside with a hand on her back. Skydiving was a random, slightly panicked idea and I had no clue how she’d react to it. I just knew I wanted to get that sad look off her face.

Thankfully, she’s practically bouncing as we walk over to the front desk. The receptionist greets us with a smile.

“Hi there, welcome to iFly. Do you have a booking today?”

“Uh, no.” Fuck, I didn’t think this through. “Is there any way you have space for one person?”

Skylar’s startled gaze flies to mine. “What? I don’t want to do it without you. You’re what makes this fun.”

I barely process that before the receptionist intercepts.

“Actually, you’re both in luck. We just had a cancelation from another group of two, so we do have space for you. If I could just get you both to fill out our waiver of liability, I’ll get you signed up.”

We fill out the paperwork, and then we reach the point that I’m slightly dreading.

“Okay, great, thank you,” says the receptionist. “Now, are you paying separately or together?”

I’m not surprised when Skylar reaches for her wallet. But she seems surprised when I push her hand away.

“What’re you doing? I can pay for myself.”

I keep my voice gentle. “I know you can. But I want to pay. This was my idea.”

A flash of panic appears in her expression. “I can pay. I told you, I don’t need you to take care of me.”

I lean in beside her ear, close enough that the receptionist can’t hear me when I say, “I don’t need to take care of you. I just want to make you happy.”

She looks stunned when I pull back. But thankfully, the panic is gone, replaced with an emotion I can’t name, but that looks like it’s on the happy side of the spectrum.

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