Page 3 of The Game
He opened his mouth to answer but was interrupted by an attractive blonde in designer workout gear, who waved and called hello to him. She was flanked by another two women dressed similarly, and they walked briskly along the path dotted with those out for their morning exercise.
‘Thanks for last night, Dean.’ The woman smiled flirtatiously at him as she got closer, and he lifted a hand in casual acknowledgement.
‘No worries. See you next week.’
The woman’s gaze flicked sideways, landing on Alyssa a moment before she passed by with her friends, and she glanced at them over her shoulder as they continued along the path, her curiosity burning a hole in Alyssa’s skin.
Swallowing her laughter, Alyssa turned back to Dean, brow arched. ‘Did she just bat her eyelashes?’
‘It’s not what you think.’ He grimaced and shifted uncomfortably. ‘At least, not entirely.’
‘Hey, I’m not here to judge.’ Grinning, she held up both hands in defence, suddenly having the time of her life.
Dean let out a derisive huff. ‘Whatever. But that’s beside the point. I’d like to think I’m not as much of a galah as I was back then.’
‘A galah?’ Alyssa tilted her head to the side, pretending to consider it. ‘Hmm, I always thought you were more of a douche, but each to their own.’
‘Geez, Martin, you wound me!’ He grabbed at his chest theatrically, making her laugh. ‘Seriously, though, I know I was an idiot, so I apologise for anything I said or did to make you hate me.’
‘I wouldn’t say I hated you. That’s too strong a word. But I was definitely not a fan.’
‘Really? I never knew.’ He grinned and threw her a wink.
‘Well, can you blame me? You once went a whole week ambushing me and putting ice cubes down my top whenever I came over to study with Kate.’
He winced. ‘God, I’m sorry.’ But his grin crept back into place. ‘I have to admit, though, you were fun to tease.’
Smiling, Alyssa rolled her eyes and glanced out at the water, and as they sipped on their coffee, they fell into a companionable silence. It was then that Alyssa realised she’d not given a moment’s thought to her troubles since Dean had returned from the cafe. Interesting, she thought. Perhaps distractionwaspossible.
‘Look!’ He leaned closer and, crossing his arm in front of her, pointed at a spot above the horizon in the direction of the grain-processing terminal at the far end of the beach. She made out three dark spots in the sky and caught a glint of sunlight reflecting off something white.
‘Skydivers,’ said Dean.
Yes, she could see them now. As the three spots fell lower, they got larger, though at this distance, the parachutes were only just visible.
Alyssa shivered, imagining the courage she’d need to sit in the open door of a plane, knowing she’d be hurtling towards the earth as soon as she jumped, having to trust that the ’chute would open.
If her lungs burning as she ran made her feel alive, what would a rush of adrenaline like that do for her?
Before giving her words a moment’s thought, she whispered, ‘We should do that.’
‘What, jump out of a plane?’ Dean stared at her as if she’d suddenly sprouted tentacles. ‘No way! I’m a firm believer in my feet staying planted on the ground, thanks very much.’
Alyssa casually sipped her coffee. ‘Are you chicken?’
‘No!’ Throwing his shoulders back, Dean puffed out his chest but let it deflate soon after. ‘Okay, maybe a little. Or a lot. Either way, it doesn’t matter, ’cos you’ll never catch me jumping out of a plane.’
Alyssa didn’t know what made her do it, only that she was enjoying this diversion too much to let the moment pass, but she turned sideways, hooked a leg beneath her, then levelled her gaze at him. ‘Do it with me.’
Peering at her, he hesitated, then glanced again in the direction of the skydivers, his brows drawn together. He dragged a hand over his stubbled cheek and groaned.
‘Fine,’ he conceded, ‘but you have to come to dinner with me. Tonight.’
Alyssa nodded and stuck out a hand. ‘Deal.’
And, as she walked home a short while later, she felt the weight on her shoulders ease a little for the first time since receiving her diagnosis.
Chapter 2
