Finally, hydraulics hissed and shifted with the decrease in the motor’s rumble. Her heart calmed with the knowledge that the torture by cephalopod was coming to an end. Keeping her eyes closed, she leaned back and breathed in the malodorous exhaust from the ride’s overtaxed motor.

An image popped into her mind.

Glasses. Dark hair. A forest-green jacket.

Julian Abel.

It couldn’t have been him. But if she’d imagined him—why? She hadn’t seen him since she was sixteen, and she’d locked those memories in a vault and thrown away the proverbial key. Why was he breaking out of the crypt today?

“See, I told you it would be over soon.” William’s sarcasm demanded a smile.

A smile she had to force, along with an incredulous chuckle. “What was I thinking to let you talk me into this? I’m too old for this kind of thing.”

William pressed his large hand over her small one, which still clung to the safety bar.

“Too old?” He quirked a brow. “I beg your pardon.”

She caught him looking at her and dropped her hand from the bar, breaking free from his touch.

“Saying you’re too old is the same as saying I’m too old,” he said.

“Well, if the shoe—”

“Fits. I know the idiom. I’ve got one for you. You’re never too old to have fun.”

“More accurately, you mean to say that you’re never too old to learn.”

“To learn to have fun.”

Her laugh was genuine this time. “Good one.”

Now let me out of this cage.

“Mackenzie, you’re young, vibrant, and beautiful, and the world is your oyster, as the saying goes.” Reassurance filled William’s tone. And his eyes.

Unpleasant shivers crawled over her. Was this how claustrophobia felt? Because right now, the space next to William was growing smaller. She exhaled as their turn to disembark from the car arrived. Perfect timing for an escape. The bar pinning them in released. Mackenzie couldn’t get out fast enough and hopped to the ground.

And to freedom.

She headed straight for the clearly marked exit. William followed closely, his hand against the small of her back. She searched the area around the ride, hoping he didn’t catch on to her wariness.

Seeing Julian had been a hallucination. Nothing more.

Music, grinding motors, screams, and laughter filled the air, along with the aroma of buttery popcorn and fried pies. Unfortunately, she also caught the pungent odor of an overflowing garbage can as they walked.

“How about we grab a soda and cotton candy?” William asked.

What are you, seven? She smiled for his sake. He was trying so hard. Too hard. “That sounds like a plan.”