Page 58 of Keep Your Friends Close and Your… Work Enemy Closer?

Jim didn't give us much time to rest, unfortunately, popping up from his perch right as I finished one of the oranges they'd given us for dessert. He clapped his hands together.

"All right, Insight Inkers..."

Huh, that was a new one.

"We've got one more big thing to do, then you can have a nice long break before dinner and s'mores. So if you all could please follow me..."

At this point, I'd pay a million dollars for access to a shower.

Dee was slow to get up, and I noticed she seemed more dirty than almost anybody else, her shoes caked in mud, dried dirt on her face, clothes filthy.

I helped her throw out some trash. "You okay?" I asked.

Her shoes made a squelching noise as she walked. "No. Fucking Max Sterling owes me new shoes, new socks, new shorts, a new shirt, and therapy for a year."

Once again, I couldn't help laughing. Even if her hatred of the real me shouldn't be funny. "How is thishisfault? Wasn't this Veronica's grand idea?"

"Yes. But it'shiscompany. So the buck stops with him."

"So he's responsible for something he probably doesn't even know about." I just had to goad her, didn't I?

"Always," she grumbled, heading down the path where the others had already disappeared.

It was funny but at the same time just highlighted the monumental task I had ahead of me. I usually loved challenges in life, however, the stakes seemed higher this time.

With the ranger still bringing up the rear behind us, we trudged forward, all you could really do in life. Man, this outdoorsy shit was making me philosophical.

It wasn't long before we reached another clearing, and I spotted a long wire stretched out over the trees that disappeared into the distance—a fucking zip line. Wow. I'd never done one before, but I'd always wanted to try it.

My eyes immediately went to Dee who had halted in front of me. She was staring at some of the others who were already gearing up, strapping into harnesses and helmets, their excitedchatter filling the air. I could practically see her calculating the odds of her survival.

"Hey." I nudged her gently. "I know this thing is perfectly safe. And it's gonna be fun. Like exponentially fun."

She shot me a look that was somewhere between skeptical and terrified. "You know this isn't exactly my idea of fun, right?"

"Noted." I grinned at her. "But you'll be fine. Plus, I'm here. Right behind you. And you kind of trust me. A little bit, right?"

She bit her plump lip, still hesitating, as she shrugged. "A little. Maybe."

"That's the spirit," I said, taking the tiny bit she'd given me. This was my big chance to be there for her, to show her that maybe, just maybe, I could be more than just her annoying co-worker.

One by one, we watched as the others took off, Mona included, squealing and laughing as she disappeared into the trees, her voice echoing back to us.

Ranger Jim, ever the enthusiastic taskmaster, clapped his hands, snapping me out of my thoughts. "All right, last two! Let's get you geared up."

Dee looked like she was about to bolt, but I caught her hand, her ice-cold hand, and gave it what I hoped was a reassuring squeeze.

An idea suddenly struck me, and I turned to Ranger Jim. "Hey, is it possible to go tandem on this thing?"

Ranger Jim nodded. "Yep, we can set that up. It's not uncommon for folks who need a little extra support."

I glanced at Dee, who was still eyeing the zip line like it might bite her. "What do you think? We can go together—tandem. Might make it a little less... terrifying."

She hesitated, clearly weighing her options, holding onto my hand a second longer than necessary before nodding. "Fine. But if I die, I'm haunting you."

Chuckling, I released her hand to help her into the harness, thinking she could join my late grandpa. "Deal."

As we got strapped in, the others long gone, an occasional whoop echoed back to us. It was just us now, Dee gripping the harness like it was a lifeline, and me, honestly kind of relishing playing the hero for once.

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