“I suppose.”
“Nope.” Ricki grinned. “I need more enthusiasm than that.”
“Absolutely,” Abby yelled out her window.
“All right. That’s the spirit.” Ricki pointed to the lawn. “Walk toward the middle of the yard but keep looking at the camera.While you’re walking, I’m going to be moving, so just keep looking in my direction. At some point, I’m going to give you a hand gesture. Follow it and stop watching me because I’m going to be on the move recording.”
“What in the world are you two up to?”
“Did you understand my instructions?” Ricki asked, ignoring her question.
“Yes, but—”
“No buts. Let’s get this over with. I’m hungry.”
“Oh, god, me too. Pizza?”
Ricki laughed. “I don’t think Blythe is gonna be happy that we’re talking about dinner choices. How about we talk about it once we’re done?”
“Sorry.” Abby’s cheeks heated.
Abby opened the car door and followed Ricki’s directions. The camera focused on her was unnerving, but she only had to walk. She could do this.
While Abby strolled across the yard, Ricki hurried down the sidewalk to the front porch. As instructed, Abby turned, so she continued to look into the camera. When Ricki was halfway to the porch, she stopped and pointed toward the roof. Abby narrowed her eyes, trying to determine what Ricki expected her to do. Ricki motioned more insistently toward the roof, so Abby pivoted.
Movement on the roof caught Abby’s eye. When she looked heavenward, she spotted Blythe hurrying down the slope of the roof backward. What the hell was she doing? Then Abby noticed the rope and harness. She wasn’t slowing down as she neared the edge of the roof; if anything, she was moving faster, and then Blythe jumped off.
Abby let out a squeal, expecting Blythe to continue her freefall. While Blythe was only fifteen to twenty feet from the ground, Abby’s heart still raced as she ran toward Blythe. Then, theunexpected happened. Blythe didn’t continue her plummet. She stopped midair and pushed her feet off the pillar, causing her to turn and face Abby.
The first thing Abby noticed was the huge smile on Blythe’s face. The second was Blythe’s gloved hands clutching the rope attached to her harness. She spun like a spider dangling from its web before she took one hand off the rope and spread her arm out wide. That was when Abby saw her T-shirt:Welcome Abby!
Abby shook her head and laughed. “You’re certifiable.”
“I’m just ecstatic to see you!” Blythe called. Abby moved toward Blythe, who dangled a few feet over Abby’s head. “As soon as I get down, I need a proper greeting.”
Blythe fumbled with the rope, but she continued to sway overhead. “Shit,” she mumbled under her breath.
“Are you stuck?” Ricki called.
“Fucking carabiner.” Blythe punched at the harness.
“Don’t do that, dumbass,” Ricki said, hurrying toward them.
Blythe pointed. “Don’t stop recording. The world needs to watch me greet this beautiful woman.”
Ricki slowed and held the camera up but continued toward them.
Without warning, Blythe kicked off the pillar and spun upside down.
Abby gasped, and Ricki swore.
“You’re going to kill yourself,” Ricki said.
Blythe pointed toward Ricki as she hung upside down. “Keep filming.”
“Seriously?” Ricki asked.
“If it’s good enough for Spider-Man, it’s good enough for me.” As the blood rushed to Blythe’s head, her face reddened. She motioned toward Abby. “Come here, beautiful, I need a welcome kiss.”
