Page 186 of Brighter Together

Her next breath is steadier.

“There you go.”

“I’m going to be sick.”

“Please aim away from me.”

She gives me an offended look.

The instructor checks the straps one final time.

“Ready when you are.”

Ella immediately buries her face against my neck again, her legs tightening around my waist.

I rub a hand over her back.

“Listen to me. Forget what you made me promise yesterday. Do you still want to do this?”

She doesn’t answer straight away.

I wait.

Eventually she takes another deep breath and lifts her head.

“Yes.”

“You’re sure?”

“No.”

I laugh. “Very helpful.”

“I’m terrified, but I’ll hate myself if I don’t.”

That I understand.

“Okay.” I kiss her forehead. “Then we’ll do it together.”

She locks both arms around me.

“I hate you.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Ask me again halfway down.”

I move us carefully towards the edge.

My own heart is hammering now, which I have deliberately neglected to mention.

Ella glances down.

“Oh, fuck.”

“Probably don’t do that.”

“Too late.”