Page 54 of Get Me to the Starting Line

Overboard and all in. She’s the “jump into the water from the deep end” sister, while I’m the “dip my toe and slowly walk in, ideally on a ramp so it’s gradual” sister.

“So, we’re doing a race for our big weekend?” she asks.

I nod. “It was Julien’s idea. I got outvoted.”

She snorts. “I bet you hated that. What race are we doing?”

“It’s a half marathon, but if it’s okay with you, I’d still like to keep the location a surprise.”

Her eyes narrow no more than a fraction but I notice. She hates surprises. It’s why I warned her ahead of time about the engagement party. She slowly nods, her gaze flicking to where Adam disappeared. She knows he loves them.

“So you’re going to do a half marathon?” she asks, walking on eggshells.

I slump back against the cushions, careful not to spill my wine as I take a sip. The flavour explodes on my tongue, the fruity blend smooth and rich.

“Don’t I kind of have to?” I scan her face, searching for confirmation she wants me to do this. She’s been trying to get me running for years.

“I would never expect that of you. I doubt Iz is doing it.” She keeps her face carefully blank.

I laugh. “No, Isabel said she’s definitely not, but she’s happy cheering everyone on.”

“You could do that too, you know.”

And there it is—the small flicker of hope flashing in her eyes. She’s trying not to push what she wants on me, but it’s there.

“I know I could. But I want to do it.”

“Liar,” she accuses.

Some of the bite in her tone is gone. Does she know I’m doing it solely for her?

But that’s not entirely true. Not anymore. When I think about it, I look forward to my morning runs. Julien berated me one day for calling them “imposter runs” because we do more walking than running, but we’re getting there. It may have started with me only doing it for Paige, but I’m getting something out of it for me too.

I never thought I’d consider running a part of my life outside my spectator and crew role for Paige.

“So, Julien ...” she starts, but the front door swings open and in barges Isabel, always in a whirlwind. For a woman who refuses to run, she sure tends to move at an accelerated pace.

“Youstartedwithoutme!”Isabel exclaims, seeing our half-empty glasses.

Paige and I smile at each other. Isabel has three brothers. We’ve adopted her into our sister circle seamlessly. Dana, Adam’s sister-in-law, is really great and sometimes comes with us, but with her own sisters to deal with, she doesn’t need our drama too.

So while I wasn’t expecting Isabel, I’m not surprised in the least she showed up. Like with Adam, if it was anyone other than Isabel, I’d be jealous and uncomfortable at the thought of sharing my sister with someone else.

But Isabel is just so ... Iz.

She drops her briefcase on the floor with a thud and the dogs, who’d been resting, pop their heads up at the commotion.

“Wait right there and do not speak another word until I get back,” she orders.

I laugh and go to take a sip of wine, but she halts me with a look.

“I can’t even drink?”

“No,” she says as she flies up the stairs.

There’s a muffled shout of surprise—Isabel must’ve burst into Adam and Paige’s room without knocking. There’s the distinct sound of Adam asking her what the hell she’s doing, but then the door slams and she’s back downstairs wearing a pair of Paige’s sleep shorts and one of Adam’s shirts.

After swirling her long blond hair into a messy knot on the top of her head, she pours herself a glass of wine and plops down on the couch beside me, sandwiching me between the two most chaotic women in my life.

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