Page 9 of Entwined Hearts

“Because he saw the salad dressing,” Colby replies.

My face cracks open with a smile. For a moment, my gaze connects with Colby.

Snap, snap, snap.

“I got another one. This one’s kindergarten-level humor,” Colby says.

“Tell it,” I say, eager for a distraction.

“What’s brown and sticky?” Colby asks, keeping his eyes on the camera.

My mouth opens in surprise that he’d go this route.

But Colby doesn’t let us think about it too long. “A stick,” he says.

I can’t help it, I burst into laughter.

Snap, snap, snap.

“Okay, kids,” Angelo says, looking relieved. “That should do it.”

* * *

Igrab a beer from the bucket of ice beside the barbeque, then follow my friend Jo to the table. It’s her boyfriend Kabir’s birthday. The backyard is packed with guests, a mix of climbing bums and software geeks. I weave my way to the back of the yard, and my friend Marisa makes room for me as I settle in across from Jo. Jake peeled off somewhere between the front door and the backyard. I’m pretty sure he’s poring over maps with someone.

“Ooh, what’s that?” Marisa asks, pointing at my bracelet.

I reposition the silver cuff off my wrist bone, which is still healing from our climb a few days ago. “Jake brought it back from Patagonia,” I say, extending my wrist so they can see.

“Nice,” Jo says, lifting an eyebrow.

“About time he did something nice for you,” Marisa says, pursing her lips.

“He does a lot of nice things for me,” I say.

“Name one, and it can’t be related to climbing.”

I open my mouth to reply, but all I can think about is waking up to an empty coffeepot. I should just buy a bigger one. “He made dinner last night,” I say defensively.

“Good,” Marisa says, her voice encouraging. “But he should haveyoufor dinner.”

I look away, wishing I had never shared the lackluster details of my sex life with her. It was a moment of doubt—Jake was in Patagonia, and I was second-guessing everything. Even though it felt good to confide in someone, her suggestion that I find a real man felt like she’d handed me a grenade.

“I’m just sayin’.” Marisa looks between us. “If he just paid a little more attention…”

“It’s fine,” I say breezily, not willing to talk about my love life in public like this. And what’s to tell? Lately, Jake hasn’t been as into it. I’ve wondered if it’s because of what we went through. Maybe it’s just what happens with couples—they go in and out of sync. Though if that’s the case, we’ve been out of sync since before he left for Patagonia. I’m starting to feel like a forgotten grape drying on the vine.

“Have you had any more flashbacks?” Jo asks.

I think back to Jake’s mention of the mint tea exploding in the haul bag in Patagonia. “No,” I say. It’s true. The fact I didn’t go off the rails entirely is a good sign. Or at least I’m claiming it as one.

“Good,” Jo says.

“Whoa, look who’s here,” Marisa says, her gaze shifting to the doorway.

I turn to see Colby step through the sliding glass door.

“I heard he was back, but I haven’t seen him,” Jo says. “Hey, you’re doing Dragen’s Tarn together, right?” She turns to me for confirmation.

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