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“Because someone who argues like that must be doing it for the thrill of victory.”
A reluctant grin escapes her lips even though she’s trying very hard to look serious. “Fine, yes. I do like to win a good argument, but other than that, I’m not really much of a competitive person.”
“I beg to differ,” I tell her, unable to wipe the smile off my face. “Only a highly competitive person would try to scare people off with a fake dengue fever outbreak. Nice work, by the way. Very effective.”
Her cheeks turn bright pink. “That was for their own good. I overheard them saying they didn’t have the vaccinations and they really would’ve been putting themselves at risk.”
Narrowing my eyes a little, I say, “But that’s not why you did it, is it?”
“Of course it is,” she says, having the nerve to look offended even though we both know she’s lying.
“Liar. You sent them away because you needed to narrow the playing field, and now you’re pretending you were just making a public service announcement.”
“It was in all of our best interests to send them home. We’re going to be out in the middle of nowhere. We can’t afford to have someone get gravely ill.”
“But that’s not why you did it.”
She opens her mouth to say something, then clamps it shut.
“It’s impressive, really. While all those other women were trying to suck up to me, you were busy figuring out a way to remove them from the equation. You’re a bit of an evil genius.”
Ms. Fox purses her lips, then says, “Look, this is life or death for our program. I need every advantage in case you’re willing to fund, say, one extremely valuable project for all of humankind.”
My smile disappears and my gut tightens as I remind myself she’s only after one thing—my money. “It’s not going to happen, Ms. Fox. I’m not going to lead you on by making you think it might.”
She gives me a defiant look that says she really doesn’t believe me. I’m ready for her to tell me she intends to change my mind, but she doesn’t. Instead she just offers me a slow smile that says, ‘we’ll see about that,’ then she turns to look out the window. I sit back in my chair, thinking about our conversation and about how unpredictable she is. The fact that she’s not trying to convince me right now shows a restraint that few people have. I know it’s not over. She’s just biding her time, waiting for the right moment. Too bad it’s never going to come. Because I’m not changing my mind.
The helicopter slows to a stop mid-air—a little trick they do that I despise. Then it makes a soft landing on the top of a mountain and I let out an exhale, my shoulders relaxing finally. Ms. Fox takes off her headset and places it back in its holder. Her hands really are quite delicate in addition to being incredibly soft. And warm.
And what the actual fuck am I thinking right now?
10
Thiago is a Big, Fat Liar…
Gwen
Well, as far as I’m concerned, we’re at the second location. Only there’s not a shop to be seen from here. Unless I pull out a pair of binoculars and look way down into that village below. There might be one there. But there sure as shit isn’t one up here. There’s only a small shack and a cold breeze blowing up my skirt. Oh yeah, and a zipline. I suddenly understand why the pilot said I was going to have trouble. I’m going to chafe like a mother. My inner thighs hurt just thinking about it, as does my sense of decency because everyone up here and on the way down is going to get a good look at my grannies.
At least I can put some distance between myself and Ty Sterling. That whole ride was intense, and to be honest, I’m a hot mess right now. The entire time, my body felt alive in a way it never has. All tingly and weird with butterflies in my stomach. Although, that was probably just what it’s like to ride in a helicopter, right? Because no man can have that sort of effect on anyone. Certainly not an asshole like him. Right?
Right. It’s fine. I’m not losing my mind or anything. It was the helicopter and the near-death experience. And the holding hands. Wow, he’s got some big manly hands. All veiny and warm and muscular and … stop thinking about his hands! He’s the enemy.
Maybe I am losing my mind because I’m not disgusted by him at all. Not in the least. In fact, he smells so good he should be kept on some island somewhere—away from all us unsuspecting women who might fall prey to his good looks and delicious scent, like those children in the Pied Piper story. It’s ridiculous. I’m all hyper-aware of where he is. Like right now, he’s to my right, holding his phone up looking for reception. Probably so he can check in on his girlfriend who he clearly doesn’t trust. Which reminds me to snap the hell out of it because the man is trouble with a capital TROUBLE.
So why did I keep getting flashes of climbing into his lap when I was sitting next to him? It’s got to be the altitude. I look over at him again. He’s given up on his cell and is shoving it in his pocket, looking totally pissed. Monster. There’s no way I want him. It’s definitely the altitude. And the almost dying. It heightens all your senses.
Thiago ushers us all into the shack where harnesses and helmets are hanging neatly on one wall. “Time for the first video.”
He puts his iPad on a small wooden table and presses play. I stand off to the side, trying to ignore the fact that Mr. Sterling is standing right next to me, his arms folded across his chest.
The screen lights up and Dr. Napper’s smiling face appears. “Welcome to Peru! Thank you all for making the trek to South America to honor me. I have traveled to every country in the world, but none has spoken to me in the way that Peru does. I found myself returning to it time and time again because of its history, beauty, and magic. It connects to my soul in a way no other place does. And it is because of this that I wanted my final adventure to be here with you all. This is going to be a transformative trip for each and every one of you. You’ll make friends, meet yourselves for the first time, and go home a changed person. I guarantee it.”
Next to me, Mr. Sterling mutters, “Sounds like summer camp.”
I try not to smile, but it’s what I was thinking too.
“I’ll be coming along, too, in this special carrier,” he says, holding up what looks exactly like a Baby Bjorn. “It was built to fit my urn’s exact specifications so it won’t fall out and is extremely comfortable to wear. Now, I know everyone is going to want to have a chance to wear me during the trip, so Rohan has made up a schedule to make sure you all get equal time. Because there are so many of you, it’ll only be a few minutes each, but please take that time to say what you need to, and feel free to talk to me about what’s happening and how much you’re enjoying your time in Peru.”
