Page 6 of See You at the Finish Line

“I have to if I want to be your favourite.”

“Mission accomplished.” He’s standing close enough to me now that I can feel the heat coming off of his imposing body.

I shake my head. Now is not the time to be drooling over some guy. “Okay, what’s your number?”

I stand with the three men in a circle as he recites his phone number digit by digit.

“This is hilarious,” his curly-haired friend says.

“What?” I ask without looking up as I select the images to send to the number I entered in my phone.

“This is like one of those holiday-movie meet cutes.”

“Yeah, totally!” the blond one chimes in. “You send him the pictures, and then after the race you guys start texting.”

I chuckle. “Not going to lie, I’d totally watch that.”

The curly-haired man bumps his friend on the arm. “And you finally got out of that relationship so you’re free.” The man who asked me to take their pictureblushes.

“Alright, done,” I say with a grin.

“Thank you so much.” He beams at me.

“You’re welcome. Now don’t make me regret giving you my number,” I say, raising my eyebrow.

He chuckles. “I won’t, I promise.”

“Are you here alone?” the blond one asks.

“Unfortunately, yes. My running partner is currently four months pregnant, so she had to defer. I’m flying solo.”

“I’m going to assume this is your first time?”

Wow, those blue eyes are very blue.

“Yup. How about you guys? First time?” I ask the trio.

“It’s his second time.” My stalker jerks a thumb at his curly-haired friend. “He’s trying for the podium this year.”

“Wow. So you’re the craziest of all of us then.”

Curly hair smiles and nods. “You bet.”

“Yeah, and we’re just supporting his crazy ass. You know, give him something to race against,” the blond guy teases.

“Well, enjoy being hardcore. I’m here to not die or get injured.”

Hopefully both.

“You’ll do great!” my stalker cheers.

“Great might be a bit of a reach, but as long as I finish, I’ll be happy.” I look up to see Leah and Sadie making their way over to me. “My support team is here. Have a great race, you guys. It was nice to meet you.”

“You too!” Curly says.

“Hey, maybe I’ll see you at the finish line,” the man with eyes that are too blue calls as I start walking away.

“A bit presumptuous I won’t pass you on the course, don’t you think?”

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