He gives my foot a gentle squeeze, encouraging me to let go. I try and look down, but his body is behind me and impossible for me to see from where I’m at. I take a deep breath, squeeze my eyes shut, and let go. For one terrifying second, I imagine myself lying on the ground, bones broken and mangled, but then I feel Aiden’s powerful arms around me. He has one arm under my knees and the other around my back. Just like I’m his bride, I think to myself like a lovestruck idiot.

I’m so relieved to be out of the tree and not have any broken bones...