Page 97 of Accidental Husband

My heart thuds against my chest. My stomach flutters. My limbs get airy. I'm light enough to float off the tower. To float all the way into the stratosphere.

Oh, that's why it's called The Stratosphere.

Duh.

I squeeze his hand.

Nerves rush through my veins as we watch the thrill seekers depart the ride. The attendant turns to us. Motions to the empty line.

"You two ready?" His voice is flat, unaffected. "We're closing in twenty minutes. It's now or never."

Now or never.

Like tonight.

I can do now.

I can.

I suck a breath through my teeth. Push an exhale through my nose. Sure, the ride shoots me another hundred feet in the air.

In theory, it's possible for the car to go right off the track. To shoot into space and crash into the ground.

But it's been here for years.

It's safe.

It's a lot safer than handing Griffin my heart.

I open my mouth to say yes, but the words don't get out.

Griff leans in to whisper. "Are you ready?"

I just barely manage a nod.

He smiles and those butterflies in my stomach crash together. I'm not sure which makes me more nervous—the thought of this being forever or the slingshot ride.

They're terrifying in different ways.

They're really fucking scary.

He interlocks his fingers with mine as he leads me to the gate.

The attendant pulls it back. Motionsafter you.

We cross the concrete to the ride.

Griff helps me into a seat. Takes the one next to me.

The attendant shrugs. "Guess we're good to go with you two." He pulls the harness style bar over my chest and clicks the belt. "You feel secure?"

Not even close. "Yeah."

He does the same with Griff. "And you, sir?"

"Yeah. I do." Griff offers me his hand.

I take it. Squeeze.