Page 45 of The Amazing Date

Ronnie matches our stride. “Not at all. We just don’t believe in needlessly running. Tell us it’s for a block, or we know where we’re going fine. We saw too many of the teams running aimlessly around Chinatown, wasting energy, and moving just for the sake of moving.”

“Here’s the plan.” I catch Roberto’s gaze and his slow nod for me to proceed. “When we get to the rappel station, Ronnie, we want you and Thelma to struggle to put on the equipment.”

He laughs, fully on board. “That shouldn’t be too hard. Not much call for rappelling in Jamaica. If we were doing cliff diving, it’ll be a no-brainer.” His mention of his home island brings out his accent. Another man in love with an island. He and Roberto have yet another thing to bond over.

Thelma’s lips tighten, and I can sense she is biting back a comment. I jump in to explain. “Caitlin and Kelly are only a minute behind us. Once they arrive and see you struggling, they will line up behind us at the station. When the select our station, they can’t switch. Roberto and I will then realize we put on the equipment incorrectly and will have to start over. We may repeat that two or six more times.”

“I was thinking at least eight,” Roberto chimes in. “One for each hour of sleep they stole from us.”

We spot the rappel station ahead, and I turn quickly to see the blondes about three hundred yards behind us, racing as fast as they can. They won’t make it in time.

I turn to Thelma, who is holding open the clue, having ripped it during the run up. “That’ll put you guys behind for the next challenge. How about for every two wildflowers we pick, we hold one for you?”

Her offer gives me pause. Roberto is right—they are a genuinely nice couple. “That’s kind,” I begin. “You saw the wildflower fields. They are endless. We’ll have plenty of time to make up time. Besides, we don’t know what comes after that, and you guys will need to build as much a lead over the blondes as you can. Don’t worry about us.”

Thelma hesitates, and Ronnie lays his palm on her shoulder and nods to let her know it’s okay.

We skid to a stop at the rappel station. Four guides stand at the stations, welcoming us. We each step onto a mat, claiming all four spots, and high-five each other.

What a difference a day makes.

Chapter 28

Roberto

The guide adjusts the harness around Rylee’s waist, and I stare in astonishment. She is focused and nodding, even tapping her feet, feigning frustration for the guide to hurry up. She glances at Ronnie and Thelma, who are struggling with the straps, a gleam of joy on Rylee’s face. Once this race is over, I will have to let her know she has a future in Hollywood.

“How the hell did you guys beat us here?” Kelly’s out-of-breath shout is filled with indignation and disbelief as her sneakers skid to a stop a foot behind us.

Rylee shoots them the most amazing side-eye I’ve ever seen from her not directed at me.

Caitlin steps next to her partner and assesses both of our groups. “Doesn’t matter, we’re here now. Let’s not get stuck behind the old folks. Rylee looks like she’s about to jump off the mountain without the equipment. We’ll follow you two down.”

I watch and bite my lower lip until Kelly taps the guide and acknowledges they are next behind us.

Right on cue, Rylee yelps and crumbles to the ground. “Ouch, that’s too tight. You’re going to have to take it all off and start over.” To her credit, she doesn’t venture a glance in Kelly’s direction.

“You gotta be kidding me.” Kelly stomps her foot and bunches her hands by her side. I check for steam escaping her ears and come up empty. I blow out a loud breath and unhook my harness and lean over to comfort Rylee. I steal a glance toward Thelma, who floats me a quick wink. I hear the click of her harness.

“Ronnie, I think I got it. Ready?” She says it loud enough to capture the girls’ attention.

One knee on the grass, I set a hand on Rylee’s shoulder. “You okay? We don’t have to do this. We can take the two-hour penalty.” It’s a stall tactic to keep the blondes in the dark.

“Yes, take the penalty and get out of the way,” Caitlin screams as Ronnie and Thelma walk to the edge of the mountain with their guides.

“Should I?” Rylee sits on the grass, ankles crossed over one another as if she is considering it. “I hate heights,” she begins deliberating. “But I also hate losing. So many choices.”

Kelly marches a path back and forth a few yards from us. “Oh my god, you guys are doing this on purpose. I can’t believe how petty you are. Are the old folks in this with you?”

Rylee uncrosses her legs and pushes up onto her knees. She’s half the height of Kelly, but she doesn’t seem to mind. “You do know they have names. Ronnie and Thelma. You should learn them; they are going to finish ahead of you.”

“It’s only a game.” I repeat their pathetic line directed at us at the start of the day.

Kelly’s long legs stiffen in place, and she crosses her arms across her chest. She blows an errant strand of her hair from her face and nods. “And it’s not over yet. Watch your back—game on.”

“We look forward to it,” Rylee snipes and sits back on the grass. She turns to me. “I guess we won’t be taking that penalty, but I still need to redo all my straps. And yours aren’t looking that secure either.”

“Way ahead of you.” I begin to undo my straps. Kelly and Caitlin remain standing and watch our every move. They may think their presence is meant to intimidate us into moving quicker, but it has the opposite effect. Rylee and I begin work as slow as physically possible. We are so transparent in our ineptitude even the guides begin to snicker. Revenge never tasted so good.

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