One summer when Sophie and I were twelve, we were playing in the field outside her house when a bolt of lightning crashed across the sky right above our heads. The clouds were so dark and heavy that they suffocated the sun. I laughed as her hair stood on end until I saw the sheer panic in her eyes. Thunder boomed around us as we raced inside.

“Lightning is typically attracted to the tallest object in the vicinity.” Sophie recites like she’s reading from a book.

Xander rubs his hands together. “The Tower. It’s the tallest point on the Griffin, and it’s where the bolt hit last time.”

Nathan frowns. “Yeah, but what are the chances it hits the Tower again?”

“Actually, pretty great. The whole lightning doesn’t strike in the same place is a myth.” Sophie twirls a strand of stray hair around her finger.

Xander smirks. “And for good measure, we can turn everything off for the rest of the ship.”

“That won’t matter.” Sophie shrugs. “Another misconception.”

Xander raises a brow.

“I read up on storms after the last one.” Sophie grins.

I chuckle. “Fighting your fear with knowledge.”

Sophie flashes a small smile. “You know it, Emily.”

Nathan runs a hand down his face. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

All eyes turn to him, but it’s Xander who speaks up. “What do you mean?”

“Putting everything into the Tower.” Nathan strokes the scruff along his jaw. “We almost lost the boat in the last storm. And we had trouble getting the power back up after the strike.”

Xander nods. “I get what you’re saying, but it might be the only way to create the wormhole we need to get back to our time.”

Nathan huffs a breath. “I just feel it’s too risky. And it limits our chances of a strike. If we utilize the whole of the Griffin, we increase our chances of a strike and the likelihood of a wormhole.”

Tension thickens in the air as Nathan and Xander stare at each other, unmoving.

I purse my lips and glance at the clock, my stomach growling. I lean closer to Xander. “Maybe we should all break for lunch? I was hoping we could squeeze in a little date today before the chaos starts.”

Xander’s smile softens his eyes. “That’s a great idea, babe.”

***

The Caferia is alive with the sounds of the lunch crowd. We find a small corner to tuck into.

“Believe it or not, my favorite food has always been tacos.” Xander sets his tray on the table before pulling out my chair for me. “There was this street taco truck that used to park down the road from our condo. My mom would take me every chance she got.”

“Thank you.” Settling into my seat, I grab a taco off my plate. “I’m surprised your mom took you. I figured you had a nanny.”

Xander barks a laugh. “Well, I did. Mom tried to be there when she wasn’t working. Unlike dad.”

“I’m sorry.” I take a bite of my food, savoring the juicy flavor of the carnitas. “At least you had your mom, though.”

Xander takes a bite of his tortilla. “What about you? Do you have a favorite meal?”

“My dad made goulash every Thursday night.” I grin around a mouthful of queso. “When I was seven, I tried talking him into making goulash every night for an entire month.”

Xander chuckles. “And how did that go?”

“It didn’t.” I grimace. “He always stuck to his Thursday nights.”

Xander shakes his head, grabbing a chip from the table. “Are you close with your dad?”

“Yeah, I’m a daddy’s girl.” I smirk. “We were practically inseparable throughout my childhood.”

“That’s nice. Especially since you had a strained relationship with your mom.” Xander takes a sip of his drink.

I nod. “It helped soften that strain.”

“Even better.” Xander eats his final taco and grabs my hand. “We need to make more time for this.”

Squeezing his hand, I smile. “Particularly with how crazy it’s been with the time travel.”

“Time travel,” Xander laughs. “It’s insane.”

I giggle. “Who’d have thought it possible?”

Xander blows out a breath. “I wish we had a better plan for this storm.”

“Me too.”

“What do you think of what Nathan mentioned earlier?” Xander pushes his tray away and rests his elbows on the table.

Licking my lips, I lean closer. “He brings up some good points.”

“I was afraid of that.” Xander huffs.

My eyebrows draw together. “What do you mean?”

“I also think he’s right. Though, I still think the Tower is our best option. Maybe there’s a way we can both get what we want?”

“I mean, the Tower is a part of the Griffin.” I point out. “And we will have to take it into the storm as it is, anyway.”

“Exactly.”

“Hey, boss.” Eddie lingers at the edge of our table. “Sorry to interrupt, but you’re going to want to come see this.”