I swallow hard and wipe my clammy forehead dry. “Sorry,” I breathe. “I think I drank one too many milkshakes in Aunt Maddy’s office today.”
Kai slows the car’s speed. “I’ll take the bends easier so you don’t hurl.”
I give an unconvincing smile. “Thanks.”
After five minutes of silent driving, Kai parks in a parking bay on the mountain’s edge and at a high altitude. He gets out and retrieves the drone from the back seat. “Ready, James?”
I get out, smoothing a hand over my swirling stomach. “Mhmm.”
He fires up the drone, and watching it swirl around in the sky is a good excuse to stay silent. As I watch it circle above us, my mind clears. Maybe I was right to always avoid talking about dating with Kai. My head has never been such a mess.
As the drone flies over the valley below, Kai leans against the railing. A relieved exhale pours out of him. “Man, I’m so glad this morning went well. It wasn’t my imagination, right? Everyone loved Tabby?”
I nod, resting on the railing beside him. “Your family only said nice things about her.”
He puffs out a laugh. “I’ve never been so nervous.”
“Really? Why were you so nervous?”
“Because I really like her.”
I stare at him, seeing genuine admiration in his expression as he thinks about Tabitha. “I don’t mean this to sound rude or anything, but why do you like her?”
He turns to look at me. “Huh?”
“What do you like about Tabitha? You’ve never actually told me.”
He smiles and pushes off the railing. He stands taller as he brings the drone in. “There’s so much to like about her. She makes me feel calm. She doesn’tjudge me. Above all, she’s kind, considerate, and loyal. What more could I ask for in a girl?”
My mouth sours with disgust. Does he own the ultimate pair of rose-colored glasses, or what? The words he described are the total opposite of what I’d call Tabitha Jones. Are Milo and I the only two people to see her as she truly is?
I give my delusional friend an uneasy smile. “You really think she’s like that?”
Kai lands the drone on the dirt in an empty parking space. He takes one hand off the controller and squeezes my shoulder. “I know you’re still warming up to the idea of me having a girlfriend, but give her a chance. You’ll really like her, James. I promise.”
There’s the second broken promise he’s given me today.
“Sure,” I say, taking the controller. “Whatever you think.”
“Don’t crash it,” Kai says, looking down the ravine. “I ain’t climbing down there to rescue it.”
I nudge him as the drone soars into the sky. “Excuse me. You’re the one who totaled your last drone. I’m a good driver.”
“Unless it comes to passing your driving test,” he teases.
I nudge him harder, sending the drone haywire.
Kai fights for the controller. “Hey, you crazy person. Look out!”
I get the drone back on course, plucking the controller from Kai’s grip. “Stop panicking, you baby.”
“Speaking of babies, I’m so glad that thing is finally out of the house.”
I grin. “You mean Gandalf?”
Kai groans. “Oh my gosh. It’s hellish enough sharing my room with Milo, but having that screaming smelly thing around sent me through the roof.”
I snort. “Geez, Kai, you’re so dramatic. Gandalf was not that bad. I even miss the little guy.”
