Real(ity) Feelings

Chapter 13

Dianne felt a giant stab of fear, start in her chest and work its way down through her legs, making her wobble into Joe's side suddenly feeling weak in the knees.

"PARACHUTE OUT OF A PLANE?" her internal voice screamed. "HELL. NO."

She could feel her fight or flight instincts kicking in as she grabbed Joe's hand and turned her upper body, trying to pull him away from the man with the plane who she was sure was very nice, but was also fully convinced was sent to ruin her life.

"Joe, I can't," she whispered desperately, as he held strong onto her hand, not letting her pull him away.

He stared at her, eyes wide, taken aback by the clear panic radiating off of every inch of her body. He reached out to grab her other hand, now clasping both between their bodies. "Hey," he murmured softly. "Take a breath."

Dianne took in a shuddering breath, still feeling panic rising from her stomach, making her chest clench uncomfortably. She closed her eyes as Joe pulled her tightly against him, his hand making its way up to stroke the back of her head as he whispered to her quietly to help her heart rate slow down.

Finally, feeling less likely to vomit on the spot, Dianne pulled back and looked up at him, fear still shining in her eyes. "Joe, I really don't think I can do this. I'm terrified of heights."

---

Joe felt like his heart was breaking as he saw the true fear in Dianne's eyes - partially because he hated to see her feeling anything less than happy, but also, selfishly, because he knew if they didn't do this, they wouldn't make it to the evening part of the date.

He reached out and brushed a stray lock of red hair out of Dianne's face and smoothed it back, moving his pointer finger under her chin, tipping her head back so he could look at her directly. He could see tears welling up in her big hazel eyes, and he felt like his heart was breaking in half.

"We don't have to do it," he murmured, truly meaning his words as he was suddenly sure he would do just about anything in his power to make sure Dianne didn't cry again.

Dianne blinked hard, her lower lip trembling, before whispering back, "But if we don't do it...we can't go on the rest of the date."

"I don't care," Joe responded immediately. "Honestly. We can go back to the mansion and I'll go steal those candles again..."

He watched as a half giggle half sob erupted from her throat, and he couldn't help but smile back. That damn giggle. Even when she was mid-panic, she was still stunning.

"You're too sweet to me," he heard her murmur as she dropped her head and buried it into his chest again. He wrapped his arms tightly around her, rocking side to side. Loosening his arms, he slowly began to turn around, suddenly remembering the man in the jumpsuit just a few feet away.

"Hey mate," he started, "Thanks so much for the opportunity, but -"

"We're doing it," he heard a small, yet strong voice from behind him, interrupting him abruptly. Eyes wide, Joe turned quickly toward the small redhead, who was still clutching onto him, but this time, no tremble in her lip - instead her mouth was set in a determined line.

"What?" he asked, shock evident in his voice, "Dianne, we don't have to do this."

"I want to Joe," she responded quietly. "I need to face my fears."

"Yeah but we can face your fears another way...I'll take you to dinner at the top of a tall building...we can jump off the highest diving board at a pool..." he rambled, still not sure if she was serious or not.