Expecting a long ride, I settle in to sleep, though I know it’ll be anything but restful. Barely close my eyes, and we’re already here.

  Only to come face-to-face with the staircase — the kind that makes everyone who sees it think: Go on ahead, I’ll just wait right here.

  Before I face the staircase, Sam’s truck catches my eye. The dog is staring out through the glass door, and the cat’s curled up on the couch, both basking in the air conditioning, completely comfortable.

  A deep sense of envy stirs inside me.

  I have to climb these steps, while they get a free pass, not even allowed in the park.

  Here we are, after a long, exhausting day — working harder than a dog, all by choice.

  The moment we reach the top—Zoe, still high on an ungodly amount of sugar, rushes toward the cave entrance, dragging Wally along, while Sam trails behind.

  Ella flops onto a bench. “Go on ahead, I’ll catch up!”

  “Sure thing, babe,” Wally replies.

  I sit next to her.

  “My feet are killing me. I was this close to throwing a tantrum and screaming, ‘I’m not walking anymore!” she complains.

  “Yeah, well, sucks to be an adult, huh? No one’s carrying us now. We walk on our own two feet now. Well… you have Wally. And you don’t get to complain — you wanted to come here.”

  She rolls her eyes. “It’s exhausting but worth it. Caves first, then hot springs.”

  “MOM! MOM!”

  Zoe comes sprinting toward us, practically vibrating with excitement. “Mom! There’s a special tour that takes you to the bottom of the caves to see its ceiling, sparkling like a starry sky! Isn’t that incredible?”

  Ella frowns slightly. “Yeah, I read about it. There’s a closed-off section past the regular tour, but it’s dangerous — you need proper gear to go down there.”

  A shiver runs down my spine.

  I bet that lunatic has that kind of gear in his truck. But he definitely doesn’t have enough for everyone. And we’d need a guide who actually knows the cave. So we’re not going.

  I don’t need to worry.

  “Some researchers are working in the cave,” Zoe says, practically dragging Ella by the hand. “Sam started chatting with them, and they ended up inviting us!”

  No fucking way. Absolutely not.

  “JJ, come on!” Ella calls, already following her daughter.

  I won’t lie — it does sound like an interesting expedition.

  But I’m exhausted. And I know that maniac only ever gets us into trouble.

  So, for today? I’m staying right here.

  “You guys go ahead. I’ll take the regular tour with you after you get back.”

  Ella shoots me a look.

  “The view is already great from here,” I add.

  She accepts that with a nod, then turns and follows Zoe into the cave.

  As I take in the view from the top of the park, Zoe and Ella sprint back toward me, each holding a small hula hoop.

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  “JJ, get up. Now.” Ella orders.

  “What? Why?” I stand up.

  “See if this fits over you.” Ella starts shoving the hula hoop over my head.

  “What the hell is this for?”

  “To check if you can fit through the narrowest part,” Zoe explains. “Sam and I can, but Mom and Dad can’t go all the way to the prettiest cave.”

  Puffing out my stomach, I square my shoulders.

  “If he doesn’t fit, I can go anyway, right?” Zoe asks big puppy eyes in full effect.

  “Suck it in,” Ella hisses at me through clenched teeth.

  “You could just tell her she’s not going,” I say, raising an eyebrow.

  “But I want her to go. And you need to go with her — to keep an eye on her, make sure she doesn’t do anything reckless, and take pictures.

  I can’t just send her with Sam. He doesn’t even know how to take pictures properly. He always picks the worst lighting and angles! Have you seen the family photos he insists on taking? I tried to give him tips, but I can’t risk losing this opportunity by sending him instead.”

  “Oh, sure. That’s the real issue here — not the fact that we’re sending Zoe into a cave with a bunch of random researchers and a guy we barely know. Nope, it’s all about Sam’s terrible photography skills.” I roll my eyes.

  “Just suck it in. I know you’ll fit,” Ella threatens.

  At least I’ll get to see something interesting. And honestly? This isn’t even the dumbest or most reckless thing I’ve done today.

  I’m already screwed. Already exhausted. Might as well embrace it.

  With a sigh, I squeeze through — and before I can reconsider, Ella yanks me into the cave.

  Looks like I’ll only rest when this trip is over.

  ***

  A few steps into the cave’s shadows, the cold wind seeps into my bones. A man’s voice echoes through the cavern, enthusiastically rambling about rocks.

  The first thing I spot is Wally, back turned as a man helps him gear up, while two women prep another set of gear.

  Nearby, an old man holds up a translucent rock, light refracting through it as he shines a flashlight.

  Fully suited — helmet, headlamp, kneepads, elbow pads — Sam sits, wholly locked onto the lecture, staring like it’s the most fascinating thing in the world.

  I’ve only ever seen him this focused when he’s working.

  Total nerd.

  “Thanks for lending us your drill,” the old man says, wrapping up his explanation as he carefully places the rock back into his bag. “We would’ve had to take a long trip back to town to buy one, and we were so close to finishing up.”

  Wait. Did Sam bring a drill? Here?

  Of course, he did.

  Only Sam — the walking definition of an over-prepared, tool-hoarding maniac — would randomly have a drill on hand.

  “It’s fine. You’ll get more use out of it here than I will,” Sam replies.

  “Whoa, you’re JJ, right? The famous actor?” One of the researchers recognizes me.

  “Yeah, James Jones. Nice to meet you.” I extend my hand.

  “Oh, I’m — uh — Lily Morgan.” The blond woman shakes my hand timidly, her face turning pink.

  The others approach after the confirmation, and in the background, I catch Sam rolling his eyes and crossing his arms, looking away like this entire situation is beneath him.

  “Can I take a picture with you?” The blond continues.

  “Sure, of course.” I shift into autopilot and pose.

  “Did you know the actor who played — ?” the older man asks Sam.

  “No…” The bastard exaggerates. “I just happened to run into them by accident, like you guys. I’m not famous or important or anything like that.”

  Wow… Still pretending, huh?

  Some people meet me for five minutes and act like we’re lifelong friends. Meanwhile, he still won’t admit to knowing me, even after we’ve spent days together.

  “Is that so?” The older man glances at me, curiosity in his eyes. I look away but keep my ears open. “Have you at least asked for an autograph?”

  “You should,” Sam grins. “He’s nice enough to sign one for you.”

  The man immediately gets up, eager.

  Then — ever so subtly — Sam shifts his gaze toward me. And when our eyes meet, he scrunches his nose in annoyance, exhales sharply, and turns his face away.

  Oh, he hated that I heard him say something remotely positive about me.

  That was fun. More fun than it should be.

  I like watching him deal with my fans.

  Imagine this antisocial, people-hating recluse getting famous just because he made a documentary with me.

  He wouldn’t be able to downplay it anymore. No more I’m not famous, just pretend I don’t exist crap.

  Once the first wave of excitement dies down, we finish gearing up and step past the gate.

  The natural lights near the entrance fade behind us as we venture deeper into the cave, swallowed by the underground silence.