Page 69 of Finish Line

Seeing me paddling toward shore, Cam asks, “Where are you going?”

“Back to bed.” I wave and head back to my room.

I wake up with enough time to shower and get ready.

When I walk downstairs, I find Shelby talking to the guys.

“Is this all right to wear?” She has shorts and a tank that flows around her midsection and hips. “You didn’t tell me where we are going.”

She could wear a trash bag to a black-tie event and still be gorgeous. “What you have on is perfect. Besides, it’s a surprise. Are you ready?”

“Yes, let’s go.” She bounces on her toes.

We take the car Frank reserved for her since we shared one taxi from the airport.

“How are you feeling today?” I ask.

If she’s too tired, I’ll adjust what I plan for us to do.

“I should’ve napped like you, but doing okay. I’m glad we’re doing this.”

“Me, too.” I pull into a parking lot and park right up front.

“Everything fun.” Shelby reads the sign on the building. “Huh? Are you sure it’s open, Mav?”

“Yep.” I run around and open the door for her.

A sign on the door says it’s closed today for a private party.

“Oh, Mav, I’m sorry, but it says closed.”

I knock on the door. “We’re the private party.”

She gasps and covers her mouth. “You didn’t.”

“I did. I didn’t want you to be uncomfortable.” Shelby’s mouth pops open, and right as I’m about to ask if she’s okay, again, the door opens. “Hi, I’m Mav Knight.”

“Oh, yes, Mr. Knight. Please come in,” the older gentleman says.

I hold the door for Shelby. This place is bigger than I remember. Shelby heads over to look at a map on the right wall near the entrance. “The place is yours, like we discussed. We also have one waitress on duty for you. Here are the two cards with unlimited play. We’ll open back up at six but, until then, enjoy!”

I thank him and head back over to where Shelby waits.

“Holy shit, Mav! This place has everything. Trampolines, arcade, indoor racetrack, laser tag!” She points at the various areas, speeding up with each new area she reads.

“I know.” I chuckle. “What would you like to do first?”

A challenge glimmers in her eyes. “I want to beat you at some video games.”

We walk past the seats and the bar to the arcade section. I forgot how loud a place like this is with the music and the games going off.

Even with no little kids running around screaming, I’ll have a headache after this.

We play a few shooter games, then she runs to a space, one with two seats in a box.

When the curtain behind us closes, it gets dark. I take a seat, and she takes the other.

I bump against her. “Ready to lose?”

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