Page 62 of Revenge Honeymoon

“Why would they have to put signs unless there was a real possibility of danger?”

“It’ll be like going on a roller coaster. You like roller coasters.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Oh.” Ruby grasped her chin. “I thought when we went to Carowinds we did the Intimidator together.”

“That wasn’t me.”

“It wasn’t?” The pretty ex-bride tilted her head to one side and pursed her lips.

No, it wasn’t.

Emily was reminded how their paths had headed in opposite directions after they’d attended different middle schools. Ruby turned fourteen and went from gangly, athletic, straight-figured girl with braces to leggy and model-like woman. ‘The change’ is what Emily called it in her own head. Although Ruby was Ruby, she’d transformed into a beautiful woman almost overnight, which completely altered the group of friends she hung out with.

Sure, she and Ruby saw each other from time to time and went bike riding and to the mall and all that other girly stuff. But it wasn’t the same anymore. Grown men, who shouldn’t even be looking at fourteen-year-old girls in that way, approached Ruby to ask her out. And Emily? Well, Emily grew boobs the size of the Appalachian Mountains and hid them under loose sweatshirts and jackets.

Ruby was beautiful and perfect, and Emily was a freak.

“It must’ve been Brianna, then.” Ruby nodded her head. “Anyway, you’ve got nothing to be afraid of. Would I really let you do something dangerous?”

Emily screwed up her face. “Yes.”

Ruby laughed. “I would not.”

A group of returning rafters, drenched from head to foot, exited a bus that had returned from the rafting end point a few miles downriver. Mixed in with the adults were a few children who smiled broadly after their adventure.

Ruby pointed at them. “Look at those kids. They had a great time, and you will, too.”

Emily sighed. Did she have a choice? She was already here and dressed in the right gear. She may as well give in and trust her best friend.

* * *

Carson the guide stood at the shoreline of the river holding a paddle above his head. “Group One, my colleague will begin handing out your paddles.”

“Wait,” Emily whispered to Ruby, “we’re expected to paddle? I thought this was supposed to be a vacation, not work.” What kind of two bit operation were they running here? Maybe someone dropped them off at the wrong river rafting place?

“Shh.” Ruby bumped her friend in the shoulder.

Emily scanned the six other honeymooners. None of them seemed to have the same concerns as she. What was their problem?

A tall, skinny Jamaican with a bald head handed each rafter a yellow-and-blue paddle.

Emily held hers as if it were contaminated.

“When I tell you to paddle, you paddle.” Carson paced back and forth in front of them. “Understand?”

“Ya mon,” the entire group responded enthusiastically except for Emily.

She gulped and imagined leaning over the raft and looking down into the churning waters.

What if the water swept away her paddle? Or her?

Gourmet picnic business owners were not known for their upper body strength. Fabulous fried chicken? Yes. Matching cloth napkins and plates? Yes. But paddling abilities? Not high on the list in the world of picnicking.

Shouldn’t the cruise app have warned her that paddling was involved in the activity? Seemed like a bait and switch.

Up the bank, Emily caught sight of the next three groups of rafters making their way to the launch point. Max would be mixed in with those cruisers, and so would the twins.

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