“He was thrilled in his understated way. Of course, he’d like to see me settle down to a less dangerous job.” He gave Sophie a knowing grin. “Like roofing.”

“He’s still after you to take up his business?”

“Oh, yeah. I always tell him more people die falling off roofs than jumping from planes.”

“That might be because fewer people are jumping from planes.”

His eyes sparkled. “Spoilsport.”

The server came a moment later. Once they placed their orders she waltzed away.

“So, tell me.” Sophie eyed Aiden, pride for him welling up inside. “How does it feel to be an award-winning inventor?”

His lips pulled into a sheepish smile. “To be honest, I don’t think it’s even sunk in yet.”

“What do you think you’ll do with the cash prize? Do you have intentions of manufacturing the SpringChute yourself and selling it—to a parachute manufacturer? Sorry, I really have no idea how this kind of thing works.”

“Honestly, I have no idea what I’m going to do because I hadn’t let myself think that far ahead. Dad thinks I should sell the rights, but we’ll see. I had a few of the devices made up for our own use at Extreme Adventures. I never expected it to go any further than that. Ross didn’t even tell me he’d entered it in the contest until after I’d finaled.”

Sophie smiled. “He seems like a good friend.”

“The best. He’s great at running the business too. We turned a profit our first year, which I’m sure you know is pretty hard to do.”

“Wow. You’ll have to give me some tips.”

“It took a lot of work and advertising, I can tell you that. Ross is really regimented about the financial side of things. We have a dozen well-trained guides—they don’t take clients out until I’m satisfied they can handle themselves, and Ross lets me have free rein over all that. I don’t think I could stand working with someone who was always watching over my shoulder.”

“You still enjoy what you do?”

He quirked a brow. “Jumping from planes? What’s not to love?”

Sophie laughed. “Oh, I don’t know . . . concussions, broken bones, death . . .”

He chuckled. “None of those have ever happened to me—or my clients—while jumping. Mountain climbing seems to be my nemesis. Still, worth it every time.”

“You’re a crazy man. I can’t even seem to manage a ladder.”

His smile dimmed. “Aw, that was my fault, not yours.”

“Not true. Besides, you’re not allowed to feel guilty tonight. We’re here to celebrate.”

As if on cue the server brought their drinks. When she left Sophie raised her glass. “To hard work and gratifying payoffs.”

“Hear, hear.” He clinked his glass with hers.

“Sounds like you’ll have some decisions to make when you get home.”