Read Online Better Than Chocolate by Pat Amsden - Free Book Online Page B

obstinately.
          He looked at her as if she were from another planet. “This gives you the financing to do what you want.”
          “And for that I have to go to Vancouver?”
          “I don’t see the problem.”
          “No fighting,” Race said joining them.
          The discussion was shelved while Elena caught up on old times with Race and Elena leaving Brad to feel a little like a third wheel. He was glad of an opportunity to tour Adventure Zone when Race offered. Together they looked over the bungee jumping platform and the wooded area holding a network of rope bridges and pipes, swing ropes and ladders.
          “One day I’m going to do the zip line,” Elena said laughing.
          “No time like now,” Race said.
          “I don’t think so,” Elena said shivering slightly.
          “It must be safe,” Brad said, a gleam in his eyes.
          “Are you kidding? They have so many safety regulations for this place it’s unreal,” Race said. “And I look after the equipment myself.”
          “You wouldn’t believe how safety conscious he is,” chimed Lydia.
          But Elena was anything but sure as she looked down the valley. She knew Race. He was a daredevil. She wasn’t. Even as part of her longed to zip through the air like a bird another part wanted to stay firmly anchored to terra firma.
          “Come on,” Race said. “You know you want to.”
          She looked at Brad. “Interested?”
          “I’ll go if you go,” he said easily, as if it was the most normal thing in the world. “It’ll be fun.”
          “That’s it,” Lydia said excited. “There’s nothing like your first zip ride.”
          “You’ve gone before?”
          “We go all the time,” Race said shrugging as if it were no big deal.
          “I guess it can’t be too bad then,” Elena said faintly.
          Before she knew it they were outfitted in safety harnesses and helmets while Race gave them a lecture on how to do it. “You’re perfectly safe,” he said hooking up one more carbineer. “Just remember to let go and relax. You’ll feel like you’re flying.”
          “It’s now or never,” Brad said, looking at her.
          “Ladies first,” Race said and gave her a slight push.
          With a gasp she reached out grabbing Brad. Before she knew it they were hurtling through the air at breakneck speed. She was going to die. She was going to die. She was going to…
          “It’s OK,” Brad was shouting over the wind.
          “No, it’s not,” she shrieked, but at the same time she could feel herself relaxing ever so slightly. She’d pulled Brad with her. But he wasn’t scared she realized. He … was laughing.
          She was going to die and he was laughing about it. Laughing! What kind of maniac was he?
          “Just relax,” she heard him shouting. “You’re safe.”
          Yeah sure. If you didn’t count the fact that they were hurtling at breakneck speed towards a platform in the far distance.
          “I’ve got you. I won’t let anything bad happen.”
          Wasn’t that what everyone said in scary movies before something bad really did happen? She stopped screaming momentarily.
          “Breathe, just breathe.”
          “What?” Now he was a fucking Lamaze coach? Even so she took another breath in. And another. Still alive! She wiggled her toes, opened her eyes. It was gorgeous. They were flying through rain forest following the course of the river below.
          Oh my God! This was incredible. It was better than chocolate. Better than sex.
          Chocolate. She needed more chocolate in her life. When she got back to earth she was going to buy herself the biggest, fattest chocolate bar available. But for now…
    She was flying! She really was! She should let go of Brad. But her fingers refused to. A sense