Page 10 of Entwined Hearts

“Yeah, Marvik’s making a film.”

“Ooh,” Jo says. “Lucky duck.”

Behind Colby is a woman I’ve never seen before. She’s petite with dark hair, wearing tight jeans and a white sleeveless top. He takes her hand, then leads her to the bucket of beers. A handful of guys are milling nearby, and Colby and his date quickly blend into the group.

“He’s the one who’s lucky,” Marisa says. “He gets to climb with Anya.”

I roll my eyes.

“I see his habits haven’t changed.” Jo sighs as Colby pops two beers, then hands one to his date. They clink glasses.

“Is she even old enough to drink that?” Marisa says.

“Stop,” I groan.

Colby spots us. His eyes brighten. Minutes later, he’s introducing his date, Sabrina, and joining our table.

“You remember Marisa and Jo, right?” I ask him.

He gives them each a nod, and they spend a minute connecting the dots: Colby used to climb with Kabir and Radin, who are brothers. From the way he explains it, I get the sense Colby and Kabir have kept in touch, and I wonder why Kabir never mentioned it.

“Are you a climber, Sabrina?” Marisa asks after our trip down “who’s who” lane.

“Gosh no,” Sabrina replies. Her voice is soft and sweet, but meek, like maybe we scare her a little.

“We met at the laundromat,” Colby says, smiling. “She needed change for a dollar.”

“How romantic,” Marisa says. Thankfully, I’m the only one who hears the note of sarcasm in her voice. I give her foot a little kick under the table.

“We heard aboutDragen’s Tarn,” Jo says.

“Yep,” Colby says, his gaze sliding sideways. “Anya here is gonna show us how it’s done.”

I smile, but I feel the blush creep up my neck.

“Damn straight,” Marisa says. “The world can finally see what a badass chick she is.”

“Mari,” I groan, feeling my blush creep into my earlobes.

“Don’t try to deny it,” Marisa says, challenging me with her steely gaze. “Girl power all the way, sister.” She smiles her wicked grin, then clinks her beer glass with mine.

“I’ll drink to that,” Colby says, and we all tap glasses.

“How long will the climb take?” Sabrina asks, her bare shoulders curving forward, as if she’s cold, though the evening air feels warm.

“Ten days, maybe two weeks,” I say.

“How many pitches?” Jo asks.

“Twenty-six,” I reply.

“You’re making a movie, right?” Sabrina asks.

“Anya gets to revisit her roots,” a voice from behind me says.

I twist around to see Jake standing behind me, his shoulders tense.

“What roots?” Sabrina asks, looking puzzled.

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