Up in Flames (Crash and Burn, Book Two) (A Military Romance) by Eva Grayson Page A

and hug her to me, kiss her forehead. Something I’ve been doing for a long time as her friend. “It’s going to be great. One of the guides will be at the other end of the line to make sure you get there okay.”
    Martin goes first, after Dexter. The line isn’t that long, a quickie to get the newbies acclimated to the feeling of ziplining. Still, he gives a hearty whoop, and Sharon laughs as he soars across the line to the other side to meet Dexter. Sharon follows.
    “Want me to go next?” I ask her.
    She lifts her chin. “No, I’ll do it.”
    I stroke her cheek then drop my hand before I do something stupid like kiss her. “Kick ass, kitten. You got this.”
    Veronica gets Lauren’s harness strapped in. Lauren takes a long moment to stare across the canopy. We’re not that high up, with trees thrusting all around us, but high enough that a fall would hurt like a motherfucker and end in broken bones, if not worse. I know she’s thinking about that. But she sucks in a loud breath and pushes off the edge, and her scream of initial panic fills the entire woods.
    My stomach lurches, and I take an instinctive step toward her.
    Then I hear Lauren erupt into a wild laugh. “Oh my God!” she cries out. “This is crazy!” Her feet hit the other side, and even from here I can see her shaking all over and cackling like a crazy woman as Dexter unstraps her from the line. She pumps her fists in the air and turns back to look at me. “Hurry up, pokey!” she calls out.
    The broad smile on my face as I soar to the other side isn’t from elation at the zipline.

    * * *
    T he three hours of our tour go by way too fast. Once Lauren gets over her initial fright of ziplining, she’s into it like a boss. She even leans back and planks on one of the lines, squealing with glee as she stares straight up at the sky. However, she isn’t a fan of rappelling, clutching her rope and squinting her eyes closed the entire time. At least she gives it a try, though.
    Martin and Sharon also have fun—in between numerous moments of making out. The two are constantly touching each other, the way newlyweds do like they’re trying to convince themselves that their life is real and not a dream, to the point where even our tour guides are teasing them about being inseparable. I’m happy for the couple, of course, but it does make things a little awkward for me, being around Lauren.
    During our tour, I find myself manufacturing excuses to touch Lauren every time I can—adjusting her hat or harness, helping her over rough terrain, balancing her while she gets strapped into the zipline. Given the way she leans into my touch, turn to me for security and safety, she doesn’t seem to mind.
    That damn hope resurfaces in my chest again. Lauren might not realize how she feels about me, but I suspect it’s more than just friendship, or sex. I can’t be reading into these signs. Right?
    The last zipline is the longest of all, a trek across the top of a massive valley. The late spring blooms mean the trees below us are green and wild, and I savor the sensation of the wind whipping in my face, going over fifty miles an hour as I fly to the other side of the line. Lauren’s already waiting there for me, clapping in glee. She gives me a high five, her cheeks bright red from the sun and wind and her own rush of giddiness.
    We walk to the minivan and ride back to the building, weaving down the narrow dirt road through the woods. Lauren’s leaning against me, no hesitation, no pause. She’s completely relaxed, high on endorphins from the rush of what we just did.
    “So you had a good time?” I ask as I drape my arm around her shoulders, urge her into my side.
    She looks up at me. “Surprisingly, yes. A great time. I had no idea I’d enjoy it that much. I totally want to do it again.”
    “How about skydiving next time?” I tease her. “I know a guy…”
    “Hell no.” She pulls a face. “I’ll cheer you on from the ground.”
    I lean close to