Page 30 of Visions & Shadows

Walking into the kitchen, I quickly make the hot dogs and place them all on one plate.

I hand our food to Ryan. “Guard it with your life.”

He lets out a chuckle as he picks up a hot dog and takes a big bite.

Heading outside, we find a spot on the lawn where we sit down and watch as some people swim while others dance.

The music is turned up louder as more people arrive, and I wonder how long it will take before the neighbors call the cops.

Mayor Calder will lose his shit if the cops are called on us.

I take another bite of my hotdog and watch as Molly argues with Robert about the volume of the music before she turns it down a little.

One minute, I’m swallowing my last bite of my food, and the next, everything blurs.

“A pillow? Really?” I hear someone asking, his tone sounding incredulous.

“Yep, without it, I won’t get any sleep,” a girl answers.

“Did I say to bring one?”

It has to be Ryan. Only he sounds older.

“No, but it counts as an essential item in my books.”

“This is an essential item.” I can’t make out the man’s face as he gestures in the opposite direction of a waterfall. “By the way, if you need to go, head out there.”

“There’s toilets?” the girl asks.

A burst of laughter escapes him, then he shakes his head. “You dig a hole.”

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“The expression on your face is priceless,” he admits while I try hard to make out his features. “Let’s help them get the fire going.”

“Jane?” I hear Ryan’s voice, worry tensing his tone.

Slowly, my sight returns, and I’m met with Ryan’s concerned eyes flicking over my face.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

I suck in a deep breath before letting it out slowly.“Yeah.”

Ryan climbs to his feet, and taking my hand, he pulls me up until I’m standing in front of him.

He tilts his head to catch my eyes. “You sure you’re okay?”

I nod, my tongue darting out to wet my lips.

He steps closer, and lifting his hand to the back of my neck, he pulls me against his chest before wrapping his other arm around me.

Ryan’s holding me.

Holy crap.

My entire body explodes with tingles while my stomach’s overwhelmed with an intense fluttering sensation.

Not wasting a second of this amazing moment, I wrap my arms around his waist and hug him as tightly as I can because I don’t know when I’ll get the chance again.

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