Page 15 of Accidental Getaway

Once we’re out on the water, anticipation buzzes at my fingertips, and I can’t tell if it’s that or the motor that is making me feel like my entire body is vibrating.

I’m still terrified that something is going to go wrong, but now that I’m committed, I can’t help but wonder what it’s going to feel like.

It must be the adrenaline. Simple biology.

Once we are a fair distance away from shore, Mike and one of the other boys ready the parachute.

They work quickly and seamlessly as if they’ve done this a thousand times.

Before I can even process what’s happening, the parachute has opened, and it’s filling with air, floating above the back of the boat, rippling in the wind.

The red, yellow, and purple fabric stands out against the blue sky. I turn toward Niko, watching the wind whip through his hair as he watches the men at work.

“Are you ready?” He gestures toward Mike, who is beckoning us to join him.

I step onto the platform at the back of the boat and turn my back to the sea.

Mike brings the bottom of the harness up around my hips and clips me in, tightening straps around my waist, chest, and each of my thighs.

Then he does the same for Niko. We both grab onto the front straps like the chains of a playground swing.

Butterflies tickle the walls of my stomach as Mike steps back and gives the all-clear signal. The boat speeds up, and I can feel the harness tightening around me, gently tugging my weight backward.

My stomach and heart drop simultaneously when, without warning, my bare feet lift off the back of the boat and we hover in the air for a second, then two, before Mike reels out the ropes that tether us to the boat. We ascend higher and higher until we reach our final height.

All I can hear is my own breath and the gentle whipping of the wind around us. The noises of the boats and people below don’t reach us up here.

Beyond my toes, I see a tiny version of Mike, standing on the bench of the boat and pumping his fists, congratulating us. He looks like an action figure on a toy boat in the bathtub, which makes me feel slightly queasy.

I turn my attention to the skyline. To my right, there’s nothing but the horizon, a turquoise sea, and the brightly shining sun.

To my left, past Niko, I can see the island. It’s breathtaking. Brown-and-black hills flank the rocky cliffs and sandy shores. Miniature white structures line up like dominoes on the rocky hillsides.

“It’s beautiful!” I say in awe.

“It is,” Niko agrees, sounding far away despite hanging right next to me. “It’s my favorite view on the island. Up here, everything gets put into perspective.”

Sailboats dot the ocean, harnessing the wind, and a few Jet Skis and speedboats zip around, creating white trails of foamy sea water behind them. A flock of seagulls circles near the marina in hopes of catching their lunch .

I feel both powerless to the whim of the parachute and also like I’m on top of the world.

“What now?” I shout to Niko as a gust of wind powers by.

“Nothing! Just enjoy the moment!”

Niko grabs my hand and thrusts it up in a victory pose, hooting and hollering.

Electricity shoots down my arm, straight to my heart, filling me with sunshine.

I’m not really sure what it means that he’s holding my hand, but that feels like a problem for solid ground.

He did just tell me to enjoy the moment.

A huge, joyous belly laugh erupts from somewhere deep inside of me, and I join in his celebration.

I haven’t experienced such radiating joy in a long, long time.

Niko smiles at me, as if he feels it too.

The water glimmers like sequins in the sun while we sway in the air. The wind tosses my hair around my face. Niko lets our hands drop, and I grab back onto the straps of my harness.

“Look,” he says, suddenly pointing at two seagulls chasing each other. “What do you think they’re fighting over?”

“She’s mad that he ate the late sardine. She was saving it for tomorrow and had clearly written her name on the fin.”

Niko laughs. “They sound like my employees.” He nudges me with his elbow. “You’re a lot of fun, Jenni. I can’t remember the last time I laughed this much. I’ve been working like crazy since we took over the hotel. I’m glad we did this.”

I can feel the sun at my back and my heart flutters at his words. “I am glad too. I love being outdoors and seeing new things. So thank you.”

“Oh, yeah? Is that what you like to do when you travel?”

That’s a good question. Obviously, I haven’t traveled much, but when I do it’s usually a camping trip or national park.

“I’ve never really thought about it,” I say. “But yeah, definitely. Especially hiking.”

“In that case, I can recommend some trails to check out while you’re here. We don’t offer hiking nearly as great as Colorado, but you can walk along the coast and see some cool things.”

“That would be great, thanks. What about you? What do you love about traveling?”

“I love how traveling forces me to embrace spontaneity and get out of my comfort zone.”

Is he crazy? That’s the worst part!

“My friend Piper says her soul starts to wither if she stays in one place for too long.”

Niko laughs. “Well, that’s a bit dramatic, but I get it. It starts to feel suffocating doing the same five things day in and day out. Does she move around a lot?”

Piper should have been the one to come here. She and Niko would get along so well. “She and her girlfriend live in an RV and travel the US year-round. I don’t even know where they are half the time. She is an associate at Aspen Sky so maybe you’ll get to work with her someday.”

“No way! That’s cool,” he says, shading his eyes from the sun. “I’ve always dreamed of renting a sprinter van and road tripping all over Europe. Can you imagine?”

I can’t, not really. But I can pretend.

“Sounds like the grown-up version of hitchhiking and sleeping in hostels with a dozen strangers. Only better.”

“Exactly. No one to steal your socks.”

“No way! Did that happen to you?”

He laughs again. “Me? No, I never did the backpacking thing. I would bet it’s happened to someone out there, though.”

Niko traces invisible waves in the wind with his hands, like a kid sticking their arm out of a car window.

I try to picture someone sneaking under the covers in the dead of night and pulling socks off unsuspecting travelers. “I’m sorry, I just can’t imagine anyone stealing used socks,” I say with another laugh .

“You never know!”

Niko points to the water about a hundred yards out to sea. “Did you see that?”

“See what?” All I see are little white-capped waves rippling on their way to shore.

“I thought I saw a pod of dolphins. They’re pretty common this time of year. But usually a bit further out.”

“Really! Do you think it was? That would be amazing.”

We spend the rest of our time in the air scouring the water for signs of dolphins.

Sadly, we come up empty-handed by the time we are reeled back in.

I am more disappointed than I should be, but it doesn’t diminish the insane views and fun time I had.

After a while, I can feel myself smiling without forcing it.

Like really smiling. And for a while, I can forget all about the rest of my life—Malcolm, the job in Chicago, everything I’m trying so desperately to earn back. None of it matters right now.

I don’t want this to end.

Eventually Mike waves a flag below us and we begin our descent toward the water. Back down to reality, where I have to worry about work and and find my way around Mykonos without embarrassing myself a hundred more times.

“Are you ready to get wet?” Niko taunts, kicking his feet as we descend.

His legs are longer than mine and he makes contact first, sending water flying up at us.

The cold spray tickles, sending a tingle up my spine.

I squeal as we splash and bounce off the water a few times before slipping in.

Mike jumps off the boat, which has come to a stop, and swims toward us as we bob in our life jackets and harnesses.

Mike unclips me first and I breaststroke my way over to the boat, climbing up the metal ladder on the side.

Niko climbs into the boat behind me and I’m suddenly self-conscious in his presence again, as if a switch has been flipped now that we aren’t alone up in the sky.

I can’t decide if that was the most incredible thing I’ve ever done or the dumbest. I can’t believe I let this potential client hold my hand.

I let him see me completely without my guard up.

I screamed and laughed with abandon … which is not the type of person anyone wants to see across a conference room table.

Shame creeps into my gut even while my fingers tingle at the memory of holding his.

I feel like I’m walking a tightrope between trying to connect with him and maintaining the type of professional persona I should have on an assignment like this.

“So what is up next on the agenda for this afternoon? Should we meet to go over the proposal, or did you have something else planned?”

I look at Niko expectantly, trying to show him that I’m game for anything. Spontaneity, right? That’s what he values and what I need to show him in order to land this deal. But I also need to show dedication to the job.

“I have meetings the rest of the afternoon, but?—”

“Of course, of course. I shouldn’t have assumed.” I am quick to recalibrate, covering up what I’m now realizing might have been an inappropriate ask. “I am perfectly capable of entertaining myself.”

I do my best to exude that fake confidence I had let drop during the last hour.

“In fact, I’ve just remembered that I have a spa session booked,” I add. “Turns out, I have plenty on my schedule!”

I take a long sip from my water bottle and stare out at the approaching harbor, willing the boat to move faster so I can stop talking. Before this character I’m pretending to be falls apart and reveals who I really am—a mess.

“At the Omorfiá?”

Whoops. I forgot there was a spa at the hotel. Now he’ll know I’m lying if I don’t actually go. I can’t exactly tell him I’m going somewhere else. What sort of message would that send ?

“Absolutely! I’m getting a facial. Alexander recommended it.”

Roping poor Alexander into my lies. I’m horrible.

“You’ll love it. Our staff is incredible. If you need anything while you’re there, just let them know you’re here as my guest.”

His eyes linger on mine and I straighten my shoulders, not letting him see me falter.

Niko clears his throat. “As I was saying, I have the entire day free on Tuesday, and there’s something else I want to show you. Are you up for it?”

Is this a pity offering? I don’t want to seem desperate.

“Sure, if you aren’t too busy, that sounds good. Either way, really.”

Niko puts his hands on my shoulders and looks me in the eye. “It’s not a trick question, Jenni.”

I smile sheepishly, face flushing.

“Okay, fine. I would love to.”

“Good.”