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I exhale. “That helps.” I glance over my shoulder at Casper inspecting and packing our parachute. The canopy is draped over his shoulders as he clears the lines to make sure nothing is out of order. By the looks of it, it’s a very detailed process, but it seems as familiar to him as tattooing, which lessens some of the anxiety.

He tightens the heavy-duty nylon straps on my legs, chest, and belly to ensure a snug fit. There are clips at my hips and shoulders, where I’ll be attached to Casper. I blow out a slow stream of air. The guy gives two more strong tugs on the straps, jerking me back and forth, then winks at me. “You’re going to have the time of your life.”

Great, I’d hate to die bored.

Still, I nod, appreciating the encouragement.

He disappears into the office along the side wall and returns with a water bottle. “Here.”

“Thank you,” I add, forcing a grin.

“I do tandem jumps too, trust me, your safety is our main concern. Don’t overthink it, all you have to do is go along for the ride. Casper will take good care of you.”

I remember Logan Teller telling me something similar prior to getting my first tattoo, and he was right, so I’m sure this will be fine too. Worst-case scenario, I only have to do it once. He gives a small nod and returns to his post.

When I look back over my shoulder, Casper is stalking toward me. I take a sip of water and twist the cap back on.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m nervous,” I tell him.

“Of course you are! Skydiving isn’t about jumping out of a plane with zero fear, it’s about being afraid and doing it anyway. Let in the nerves and anxiety—then prove you’re stronger and take the leap.”

His words confirm my purpose for doing this. I inhale and nod. “Mm-hmm.”

He fits me with goggles, and we go over a few more pieces of training—even though he’ll be doing all of the work—and he checks that I am strong enough to lift my legs using my core. I cut my eyes at him a little; he’s seen how strong I am at pole, but I’m sure it’s a formality that he has to do before we go.

“You can do this,” he says, giving my harness a final check. “You just need to see that you can.”

Fifteen minutes or so into the ascent, my hands are trembling. Casper and I are connected with clips at my shoulders and hips—I’m sure he can feel my shaking. I breathe in the faint aroma of his crisp cologne, picking out the different notes as a distraction. Lemon, bergamot, vanilla, and a hint of ginger.

“Try to relax as much as you can. Remember, once we jump, it’ll be over in five minutes.”

He’s right. I’ve done much scarier things than this, for much longer than five minutes. I nod.

“Talk to me.” He cups my biceps, rubbing circles with his thumbs. “Want to go back?”

I suspect if I were to say yes, he’d have the pilot turn around.

“No, I can do this.”

“They’re going to open the door soon,” he says. “Just breathe.”

Moments later, a freezing wind rips through the cabin, and the chill intensifies my already pounding heartbeat. Holy shit, we’re really doing this.

Casper and I get situated at the opening and I gasp. Jesus Christ! The fields below look like a patchwork quilt stitched together by narrow roads—that are really, really far away.

“I’m scared!” I blurt over my shoulder.

“I know!” he shouts over the roaring air. “That’s your body doing its job!”

I focus on what he said earlier, feeling the fear and choosing to meet the moment instead of cowering.

“Let your heart race, Anna! This is the brave part—you’re alive, now prove it!”

“Okay!” I nod.

“Ready?”