Blake got so caught up in his speech, he forgot whether they were talking about the bungee jump or something else.
Damn, I should be a motivational speaker.
Farrah’s eyes swam with uncertainty. “I—” She looked around once more. “I’m really scared.”
“You should be. So am I. But think of how good it will feel after you do it. Bungee jump: $500. Facing your fears: priceless.”
Farrah’s laughter was music to Blake’s ears. She loosened her grip on her necklace. “You are such a cheese ball.”
“There’s nothing wrong with cheese. It’s delicious.” Blake’s face softened. “How about this? If you don’t jump, I won’t either.”
Her eyes grew round. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to. What are friends for?” Blake smiled a crooked smile. “Second option: if you jump, I’ll jump first. I’ll catch you if you fall. Not that you will,” he added quickly.
A slideshow of emotions played out across Farrah’s face. Fear, nervousness, and ultimately, determination. “No,” she said. “I’ll go first. I need you here for moral support.”
Blake grinned. “You got it.”
He flagged down the operator. Good thing Kris reserved the entire hour for them. Otherwise, the staff would’ve kicked them out a long time ago.
“If I die, it’s your fault,” Farrah said while the operator checked her harness to make sure it was tight enough and buckled correctly.
“Noted.” Without thinking, Blake reached out and squeezed her hand. The touch of her skin against his sent his heart racing in a way that had nothing to do with their impending jump off a 70-story tower. “You’ll be ok. I’ll buy you a drink after we’re done.”
“Ready?” the operator asked.
Farrah took a deep breath. Her skin had a faint green tint. “No.” She took her position on the jumping platform and looked over her shoulder at Blake. “Make that drink a double.”
“Done.”
Farrah faced forward. Blake held his breath, his heart pounding in triple time. She hesitated, and for a second he thought she was going to back out again. But she took the leap, and her scream echoed in the cold night air. He could pinpoint the moment the rebound happened because he heard another scream—fainter this time—and then…silence.
A grin spread across Blake’s face. Damn, she did it. She really did it.
A wave of pride flooded him.
“You’re up.” The operator beckoned to Blake.
After he passed the safety check, Blake took Farrah’s spot on the jumping platform and looked down. 764 feet was a long way to fall.
“Ready?” The operator and an assistant grasped the back of Blake’s harness.
He nodded.
They let go.
Blake pictured Farrah’s face. If she could do this, so could he.
Fuck it.
He was in Macau. He was on top of the world. It was now or never.
Blake closed his eyes and took the fall.
Chapter Thirteen
Farrah didn’t die. On the contrary, she’d never felt more alive.