Farther up, the route narrowed against the side of a branch. Alexandra reached the next turn first, but instead of continuing ahead, she waited for Martin.
The footholds became harder to see beneath the moss, and the next one sat below her line of sight.
Martin moved behind her. "Lower your left foot."
"I know."
"You haven't moved."
"I'm checking the distance."
He placed a hand around her waist to steady her and leaned close enough to look past her hip.
"The hold is right beneath you."
Alexandra remained where she was.
"Are you stuck?"
"No."
"Then move."
"I'm enjoying the support."
His fingers tightened around her waist. "You're doing this on purpose."
"Obviously."
She lowered her foot at last, but before climbing away, she placed one hand over his.
"You can keep holding me until I'm steady."
"I thought you were already steady."
"I nearly watched you fall out of a tree."
Martin kept the joke to himself.
