Page 45 of Flirty Dancing

This time it was Caleb’s turn to groan. “Nooo, I’m afraid of heights.”

“I believe the phrase I’m looking for is ‘Come on, you big baby. I’ll protect you.’” Archer tugged Caleb toward the line up.

But once they got to the gate, Caleb looked up with huge eyes. “No. There’s no way. I can’t!”

“Okay,” Archer sighed. “Let’s go do something else, then. I don’t really want to go by myself…”

“I’ll go with you, Archer.”

They turned at the deep voice. It was Mateo.

Archer’s heart fluttered at the idea of being high above the crowd with Mateo. “Oh. Okay, thanks.”

“Well, maybe I—” Caleb looked up again. “Okay, I can do it.”

“Are you sure? You look a little pale—” Mateo said.

“It’s fine. Let’s go.”

Caleb marched them into line, and they were able to get on when the wheel was next loaded. Archer sat in the middle of the narrow bench. The seats were designed to fit three people, but Archer and Mateo were both rather broad, and the three grown men were a snug fit. Once again, Archer was very aware of Mateo’s body pressed to his.

Caleb flinched when the worker shut the restraining bar across them, and he gripped Archer’s hand.

“Are you sure about this?” Archer asked. “You can still get off.”

Caleb shook his head, lips forming a hard line.

“Get off.” Mateo snickered under his breath.

Archer looked at him, eyebrows raised.

“Sorry.” Mateo frowned. “I’ve been around Dominik too long.”

Archer turned back to Caleb. “You’re absolutely sure?”

Caleb squeezed his hand tighter, eyes closed. “I’m sure.”

“Okay.” Archer patted the back of his hand. “Here we go.”

Caleb shrieked when the chair heaved forward, then took a deep breath. “Okay, this isn’t so bad—” He cut himself off with another shriek when the chair lurched to a halt and began rocking back and forth. “What’s wrong? Why did we stop? Is it broken? Are we trapped?”

“Shhh…” Archer patted Caleb’s leg and ignored Mateo’s eye roll. “We’re just loading the next car. It’ll start and stop at every car so they can unload and load the riders.”

“Oh, God,” Caleb moaned. “Can I get off now?”

Mateo stiffened as he held in a laugh.

“Not now, Caleb. But it’s okay. You’re going to be okay. Take some deep breaths and picture something happy in your mind.”

“Like getting off,” Mateo supplied.

Archer glared at him, trying not to smile.You’re not helping, he mouthed.

Sorry, Mateo mouthed back, then he leaned over to look at Caleb. “Statistically, you’re more likely to die in the van on the way home than you are on this Ferris wheel.”

“Maybe don’t bring up dying?” Archer said through clenched teeth as Caleb started to hyperventilate.

Sorry, Mateo mouthed again.

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