Page 27

“Good.”

His hand never leaves my leg.

“Four things you can feel.”

“My seatbelt.”

“Good.”

“The seat.”

“That’s two.”

I take a shaky breath.

“The air conditioning.”

“Three.”

“Your hand.”

“Good girl.”

Something in my chest loosens.

“Three things you can hear.”

I focus.

“The engine.”

“Okay.”

“A motorcycle.”

“Good.”

“The turn signal.”

“Perfect.”

My breathing stutters but doesn’t spiral further.

Tyler glances at me again.

“Two things you can smell.”

I inhale.

“The coffee you spilled earlier.”

A faint smile toucheshis mouth.

“Fair.”

“The ocean.”

“We’re close enough.”