Page 21 of The Version You Hide

“Well, I think you should take her up on it. A night off might be just what you need to reset.”

“Would you come with me?” she perks up at my suggestion.

“Sure,” I say. “Why not? But where would we go?”

“We could go to a night club. Or we could just come here. I honestly don’t care if we spend the night walking circles around this town if it means I don’t have to hear a baby cry,” she says with a laugh.

“Hey, guys.” Harper and I look up just in time to see Jade swiftly drag a chair over from a nearby table and seat herself beside us. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t help overhearing what you guys were talking about.”

Harper and I look back and forth from each other and back to Jade.

“Which part?” I ask.

“The part about poor Harps here needing a break. I thought I could offer a suggestion.”

“Oh,” Harper replies happily, her posture straightening. “What is it?”

“Well, I’m not sure if it’s your thing, but there is this amazing snorkel and scuba tour that leaves twice daily from the marina on the other side of town. I know it’s not the same as some seedy nightclub but maybe a fun day in the sun could be just what you need.”

Harper seems to mull this over in her mind and before too long she breaks out in a huge grin. “You know what? I think that would be amazing.”

“You do?” I ask dubiously.

“Yeah!”

“The morning session is the best in my opinion,” Jade adds. “The dolphins and turtles are always out to play.”

“So, you’ve done this before?” I question Jade.

“Yeah,” she replies, her shoulders jumping in a small shrug. “I’ve done it a few times.”

“What do you say Mackenzie? Are you free tomorrow morning?” Harper’s voice is laced with anticipation.

I’m not due to start my shift at the tavern tomorrow until three and I’ll be working into the night but in all honesty, I’m not sure if snorkelling is really my thing. I could probably think of a million other things I’d rather be doing, but Harper’s expectant expression lets me know that I’m probably not going to be let off the hook that easily.

I throw my hands up in the air. “What the hell. I guess I am.”

“Great! I’m texting Mum right now to see if she’s free,” Harper says as she taps frantically at her phone.

“Cool.” Jade stands up, flinging the chair back under the table next to ours. She holds up two fingers and adds, “Oh, it’s called Two Tanked, by the way.”

“Two Tanked?” I ask. My uncertainty is surely written all over my face, but Harper only smiles with glee.

“Yeah,” Jade replies, looking to the bar where Dylan has just emerged from out the back. “The tour is Two Tanked. I’ll catch you guys later.”

“Yes!” Harper cheers as her phone chimes, signalling an incoming text. “Mum said she’s free all day. This is going to be so epic.”

I’m not sure what could possibly be so epic about diving from a boat named Two Tanked, but Harper’s joy is adamant. And I know my friend needs this.

I wait while she types out another message and pulls up the details for the tour on her phone. She continues to scroll and tap for another moment as I throw a glance toward Jade who grins back at me from the bar. Is it me, or is it more of a conspiratorial smirk than your average friendly smile?

“I just booked us in for tomorrow,” Harper says excitedly.

She slams her phone down on the table loud enough to wake Noah. He lets out a shrill scream that could wake the dead. I cringe as Harper groans, thrusting her head into her hands.

“Damn it,” she curses. “Bring on tomorrow.”

Chapter 7

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