They sat in silence for a short while, as darkness fell and the world became reduced to the light from their fire and the constant seething of the jungle.

Kate used a branch to prod the fire then and said, “On the subject of relationships, you and Alice would be great together.” He laughed, but simultaneously felt a buzz of happiness that he couldn’t quite pinpoint. “I’m serious. I think she’s liked you for a long time.”

“I doubt that. But yeah, I think we have a connection. Who knows, maybe when we get back home.…” The words dried in his throat and he changed the subject. “What about you? Is there anyone…”

“Not really.” She continued to poke intently at the fire. “I was interested in someone, I guess, but… he was in the other part of the plane.”

For some reason, Tom immediately thought of Charlie Stafford suspended up in that tree, and he could picture Charlie and Kate together without knowing why. It made him a little sad to think it could never happen now.

“I’m sorry.”

“Yeah. I mean, don’t get me wrong, he didn’t know I liked him like that, and I doubt he would have been interested anyway.”

“I don’t see why not—you’re attractive, you’re smart…”

She smirked. “Don’t get weird on me, Calloway!” He laughed, but then she said, “You know, part of it was, I always thought we’ve got so much time ahead of us, there’s no rush. But look at us now.” He nodded, thinking about what she’d said, and she added quickly, “Sorry, like I need to tell you about these kinds of things.”

It took him a second to understand what she was apologizing for and when he got it, he smiled to show there was no need and said, “Actually, I wasn’t thinking about my parents. I was thinking how you can’t blame yourself for procrastinating. It’s what we do, it’s what separates us from every animal in this jungle, that we have a concept of the future, we plan, we dream. You know all these stupid memes about living every day like it’s your last—well, we don’t have to. That’s one of the luxuries of being human.”

“You’re right.” She waited a beat. “Although, in our present situation, I think our grip on that particular luxury might be a little bit shaky.”

They both laughed, and then couldn’t stop laughing, swept up by the relief and the happiness of being by this fire in this most unlikely of places. Sure, the next day could be their last, just like this one might have been, but they were still here, for now. Alive.

CHAPTER 32