“I think we should steer clear of any more competitions for today. My balls can’t handle it,” Jackson says while laughing.

“Awww, my little sore loser.”

“When I show you the photo of your time, we’ll see who’s sore.”

I wave my hand dismissively. Even though I added a good four minutes on to his time, the reality is—I have no idea what my damage was. I didn’t really fall or struggle too much, but Super SEAL over there didn’t even break a sweat. “Want to sit at the end of the hill?” I point to the grassy section that has a small incline. That way he can sit easily and use the height to get up without too much effort. I know how much he hates the limitations his leg injury is causing. At least this is a way to minimize it. Also, he’s heavy and difficult for me to maneuver on my own.

“Sounds great. What do you have in that basket?” he asks curiously trying to peek the lid open.

“Just snacks, a few books, and some drinks.” I smile as we slowly make our way to the tiny piece of tranquility we’ll have in the middle of this metropolis.

“You thought of all that in an hour?” Jackson asks with disbelief in his voice.

“I didn’t make a gourmet meal. Also I didn’t make a disaster of the kitchen while grabbing things.”

He smirks. “I think that night worked out for the both of us.”

The blush spreads across my face as I hear the double meaning. Yes, it most definitely did work out for both of us.

Laying out the blanket, I help Jackson get comfortable and I settle in.

“Hey, get over here,” he calls and pats his good leg. “Do you want to read for a little while?”

“We have all day, babe. We can do whatever.”

It’s beautiful out. There’s a small breeze and the sun is overhead but we have some shade thanks to the trees. I lie on his leg and look up at him. His strong jaw, beautiful eyes, and short stubble take my breath away. I start to remember the first time we met, how much he affected me. Then, when I realized he was my new client, the electrical charge I fought so hard against was undeniable. But nothing like the first time I saw him without a shirt on—which reminds me of the course.

He leans back on his side and smiles. “You wanna know, don’t you?”

I sit up practically bouncing up and down. “Yes!” I’m so excited. Here comes a play, no running daily crap, and a whole lot of taunting. Well, I hope at least. As quickly as I can, I grab my phone and scroll to the photo with his time and clutch it to my chest. “Okay, you ready, Muffin?” I smirk and ready myself for the moment of truth.

“Oh, baby, I’m more than ready. I hope you get yourself a new pair of running shoes.”

“I hope you’re ready to lose to a girl.”

“If you beat me, I might cry,” Jackson jokes.

“Now that I want to see.”

Jackson’s loud laugh cuts through the quiet as he grabs his phone.

“Ready?” he asks.

“As I’ll ever be. Time to pay up, Muff.”

“Better get it all out of your system, sweetheart, because that’s the last time you’ll be saying my call sign for a while.”

I shake my head and try to get my excitement in check. “Okay, let’s both put the phones face down and then on the count of three we’ll flip them over.”

Jackson rolls his eyes and hands his phone over. “I’m not worried.”

“Neither am I.” Tentatively, I hand mine over, controlling my shaking.

We count it down, and then slowly flip the phones over and look at our times.

Game.

Set.

Match.

She’s fucking kidding me.

There’s no way in hell.

I look up at her and her smile says it all. “What’s the matter, Muffin?” Her brown eyes are big and she knows she’s got me.

“No! No fucking way. No way. How?” I ask, knowing somehow she fixed these times. She did something because I’ve run that course over a thousand times. I swear I could do it in my sleep. Hell, I could do it now in this stupid walker and still beat her.

She looks up, playing coy, “I have no idea what you mean. I started the timer when you told me to and then you ran it. You must’ve had an off day.”

Off day my ass.

“Catherine, if you don’t ‘fess up, I promise you’ll be running daily and it won’t be because of a bet.” My brow rises as I try to imply what she’ll be running from.

I gotta hand it to her though. She got me—and good.

“A lady never reveals her secrets.”

“I’ll figure out what you did.”

“You can try, Muffin.”

“Okay, that’s fine. You know you never specified what play, when I had to take you, or what kind of spa treatments.” I tap her nose knowing it drives her nuts. Let that sink in …

Her eyes light up when she realizes the hole in her plan. Like I was ever going to let that happen. “Oh, no. You’re not going to loophole your way out of this. I won! I beat your ass. I mean, you are at over twelve minutes. I’m under. I win. You lose.” She’s talking so fast I have to try to keep up. I love getting her riled up. It’s so easy.

I shrug and grab the book, not knowing what the hell it even is but anything to keep pissing her off. “I didn’t make the bet. I’m just adhering to the rules.”

Catherine scoffs and looks away, “I swear.”

“A lady never swears.”

She grabs her phone and starts fumbling through it.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“Looking up what plays have tickets for tomorrow.” She gives me a snarky smile.

I cough and grab her phone out of her hand. “Not happening since you cheated.”

“We’re going to see a play tomorrow.”

“The hell we are.”

I’ll take her anywhere she wants to go, but this is almost too much fun. Her eyes glow as she gets more and more frustrated.

“I hate you.”

I laugh because she’s so cute when she’s petulant. “There’s a very fine line between love and hate. I’m pretty sure you love me. I’m pretty loveable.”

“You’re also a giant pain in my ass. But …” Her eyes light up and I see it all right there. “I do love you. Even though you feel the need to drive me insane. However, tomorrow there are seats available for The Lion King or we can see The Vagina Monologues.”

My mouth drops slightly and I wait for the punch line.

“Are there vaginas in the show?”

“None that you’ll see.” Catherine smirks and slides up to my side. Her voice drops into a seductive whisper, “It’s all about menopause. So are we going to see that or are you going to pay up and take me to see The Lion King?”

Leaning up, I grab her hand and hold it in mine. I love the way she feels against me. She links her fingers with mine and I pull her forward. “I love you, and I love driving you crazy … in every way. There’s no way in hell we’re going to see a play about pussies.”

Her grip tightens and she leans forward and kisses me.

I get lost in her. She makes it a little easier to breathe. Shit doesn’t suck so bad and my head gets a break when she’s in my arms.