“Okay,” Sean replied gently, his voice deep and warm.

They stopped, and Sean pulled out his phone to take scatt hidden door nearly, leading them out of the haunted hote

renttey, a staff member appeared and pastly opened a

Stepping from the dim maze into bright night, Charlotte felt stly dizzy for a cert

sean immediately reached out to steady her. “You okay?”

“I’m fine.”

They waited near the exit for about ten minutes before Mix, Tan, dan and Liz finally came out.

Jan’s face was ghost–white.

Mia, on the other hand, lookedpletely energized. i“/iThat haunted house was amazing! Se intenseli

Jan looked like he might copse. “As long as you had fun.”

Mia nced over at Charlotte standing off to the side. “Wait–why’d youe out so early?”

Charlotte gave an awkward smile. “I wasn’t feeling great, so I came out through the staff exit.”

Are you okay? What happened? Is it serious?” Mia asked, concerned.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling okay? Is it serious?” Mia asked, clearly concerned.

“It’s nothing serious. I just got a little dizzyi./ii” /i

Probably from being scared out of her mind.

Mia rxed and nodded. “Well, as long as it’s nothing major.i” /iShe turned ton and said to Charlotte, “Look at him. He’s still shaking. I told him not to go in if he was that scared, but he wouldn’t listen.”

Ian looked truly rattled. “I’m never doing that again. I’m done with haunted houses. That wasn’t entertainment. It felt like psychological torture.”

Mia burst outughing. “I thought it was amazing. Just admit it you’re a total scaredy–cat.”

Ian sighed and shook his head, but he gave her a helpless smile. “Alright, alright, Miss Daredevil. How about we try something a little calmer next?”

“Alright then. Since you went on two thrill rides with me, I’ll cut you some ck,” Mia said excitedly. She pointed toward the log flume in the distance. “Let’s go on that one next!”

Ian followed her gaze just in time to see one of the log boats plunge down from the top, sending a massive spray of water high

into the air.

“You call that calm?” Ian asked, eyebrows twitching. “How is that even close to calm?”

Mia crossed her arms, mock–offended. “That is calm for my standards. If you’re too scared, why even bothering to an amusement park? Never mind. I’ll go on my own.”

With that, she turned and marched off.

“I never said I wouldn’t go!” Ian called after her. “Mia, wait up!”

Meanwhile, Jordan and Liz had just exited the haunted maze. Liz didn’t look too great either. Clearly, she had gotten spooked pretty badly.

Jordan wrapped an arm around her and gentlyforted her as they walked toward Charlotte.

“Where aren and Mia?” Jordan asked.

“They went to ride the log flume,” Charlotte replied.

Jordan nodded and turned to Liz. “Baby, what do you want to do next?”

Liz pressed her lips together. “I want to see the beluga whales.”

This amusement park didn’t just have rides. It also had plenty of animals for visitors to enjoy.

Jordan looked at Sean. “You two want toe?”

Sean replied, “You guys go ahead.”

He figured Jordan and Liz could use a little alone time. And honestlyb, /bbso /bcould he and Charlotte.

“Alright then,” Jordan said, and walked off with Liz.

As they watched the couple disappear into the crowd, Charlotte said softly, “Jordan really seems different this time.”

Sean gave a quiet “mm.”

“What do you want to do next?” he asked.

Charlotte pointed toward a nearby attraction. “That one looks fun.

Sean smiled. “Let’s go. I’ll go with you.”