Page 26 of Hidden Depths

"They're not."

Scott sighed dramatically.

"I feel attacked."

Ward laughed beside me.

A real laugh.

Not the polite smile he'd worn all morning.

It lit up his entire face.

I caught myself smiling too.

A loud thump echoed from below.

Followed immediately by...

"Ow!"

I closed my eyes.

"Calle."

Mark's voice floated upward.

"I think your engine just hit me."

Calle burst into laughter.

"It was your forehead."

"You could've warned me."

"I thought I did."

"You absolutely did not."

"You should've ducked."

"I didn't know I needed to duck."

"You always duck."

"I've never been in your engine room!"

She laughed harder.

"Now you know."

Ward looked at me.

"Is every day like this?"

I smiled.

"Pretty much."