Page 51 of Billion-Dollar Dating Game

Her pulse picked up. ‘But I didn’t bring my gear.’

He pulled a hand from behind his back and showed her a shoe box. Her brand. Her size.

She gaped at him. ‘How did you—’

He whipped out his other hand, dangling a large bag. ‘I’ve got shorts, tee, socks as well.’

‘You saw my size at my apartment?’

He shook both box and bag. ‘Come on, you don’t want to miss it seeing I’ve gone to all thiseffort.’

He was teasing but thiswasa big effort.

‘You have a really big brain, don’t you? Big memory.’ She took the purchases from him.

‘Well, I wasn’t sure about underwear.’

‘I can make it work.’ She chuckled and took the shoes from the box. ‘Are you going to run too?’

‘Absolutely not.’ He turned. ‘I’ll go find you some electrolytes for after.’

She smiled as she pulled out the shorts and tank he’d got her. He’d even noticed her passion for neon colours.

She hesitated. ‘Why did you do this?’

‘Because you haven’t missed a run in more than two years and I’m not being the reason for you to break your Saturday-morning streak.’

She stared at him, somewhat taken aback.

‘I don’t want to stand in the way of things that are important to you. Running is important to you.’

Warmth bloomed in her chest. ‘You realise I’m not fast or anything. Like not at all. To be honest I only started running because it was the one way I could get dad to let me out. I took my time—went slow and enjoyed the outdoors.’

His expression turned tender.

‘But I’m still slow,’ she whispered, a little embarrassed. ‘Like, seriously middle to the back of the pack.’

‘Thank goodness.’ He huffed out an exaggerated sigh of relief. ‘It was getting stressful, you being excellent in every bloody thing you do. No way I can compete.’

‘Please.’ She chuckled at that. ‘Youexcel at everything.’

He was a natural genius. She’d had to work so hard to get grades half as good as his. But he’d had to work hard too—to overcome his injuries and rebuild his physical strength. So in that they were similar—determined, driven, disciplined.

He winked at her. ‘Why, thank you.’

‘Ugh.’ She gave him a playful shove. ‘You were fishing for compliments.’

‘And you delivered. Beautifully.’ He pressed a quick kiss to her pouting mouth. ‘Get ready.’

Zane couldn’t wipe the smile from his face as he watched Skylar join the throng of people similarly clad in brightly coloured, dry-wicking tops and shorts. Her smile was infectious, all full-dimpled delight. The couple standing near her smiled back. In seconds she was engaged in conversation, her head cocked as she listened and nodded. She might feel awkward but she was interested in others. She was nice. Curious. Kind.

He’d not considered that watching her run would be arousing. But she was beautiful with her ponytail streaming out behind her, colour in her cheeks and a wide smile on her face as she pushed for a sprint finish alongside some random septuagenarian—totally in her happy place. Zane gripped her water bottle. His chest felt tight, as if he were the one who’d been running—a marathon or more.

She crossed the line smack bang in the middle of the pack—tying with the old guy—just as she’d predicted, but he couldn’t help clapping and cheering as if she’d just won Boston. She waved bye to the couple she’d chatted with at the start line, then wove her way through the milling crowd to him. He scooped her into his arms and kissed her.

‘I’m all sweaty.’ She wriggled in embarrassment but he didn’t release her.

‘Yeah.’ He didn’t care. But he stepped back and pulled a couple wrapped pieces of candy from his pocket and offered them to her. ‘Raspberry or lemon?’

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