Page 18 of Hargrave Health Kick

“Cool.” But the frown lingered in his eyes for another moment. “See you then.” He caught her up in a half hug and turned to walk out. Pausing at the door, he dropped his sunglasses over his eyes and his big smile hit her full force. “Dinner tonight and a run in the morning.”

“It’s a plan.”

“Sounds more like a date to me,” Celeste murmured in her ear. “Planning on breaking curfew?”

She whirled around. “You heard that?”

“Were you trying to keep it a secret?” Celeste pulled her car key out of her purse and headed for the door. “Coming?”

“It’s not a date,” Veronica protested once she confirmed Brayden was gone. “We’re just meeting at Parker’s to catch up.”

“And tomorrow?”

“Beach run,” she replied. “He’s challenging my fitness, per the usual.”

“I remember that.” Celeste grinned. “Made you both better athletes.”

Veronica shrugged. They’d been kids. Though he respected her, his bravado required him to regularly underestimate her grit and drive. She couldn’t complain. The extra challenge had helped her dominate her teammates back then.

“Well, since Natalie isn’t here, it’s on me to remind you to dive in head first if the opportunity presents itself.”

Confirmation that meeting him at the restaurant was the right choice. “Gee, thanks. To both my sisters. Nice to have permission from the peanut gallery.”

With Celeste’s laughter ringing in her ears, Veronica pushed the questions deep down where they belonged and got on with her day. Focusing on the work always brought her more peace than dwelling on everything outside of her control.

But when she packed for her afternoon appointments, she obeyed that soft flutter in her chest—the one that felt like a weird combination of curiosity and hope. Carefully, she added her favorite sundress and sandals along with her makeup bag. Dinner tonight didn’t have to mean anything or become anything more. She only wanted to be prepared.

Just in case.

The End… for now