“Got me there.”
The starting horn had them all surging forward.
“Don’t let go of me or the potato, Lani.”
“I won’t.”
The start was a bit shaky, taking a while for them to get into a rhythm like Noah had said, but they soon got it.
“Nice work.”
Newman and Hope drew level. He then veered into Noah, nudging him. He blocked, and Newman stumbled sideways. Hope dropped their potato.
“He cheated!” Newman howled. Noah laughed and ran on.
“Pick up the pace, Ethan!” Annabelle shrieked, following them down the sidewalk pushing the pram. “Seriously, you two look sluggish!”
“My wife.” Ethan beamed. “She’s so supportive.”
Macy and Brad were up ahead.
“I’m not being beaten by either of those two couples,” Noah gritted out. He increased their pace, and Lani pushed herself harder. Her lungs started heaving from the exertion. She really needed to exercise more. It wasn’t something she did often… or ever, actually. In fact, since she left the cheer squad, she’d been lazy.
“Pick up the pace there, pumpkin.”
“N-not sure I c-can.”
The arm around her tightened, and she was lifted to her toes. “Move it!”
They drew level with Macy and Brad.
“Is that Billy calling you, Macy?” Noah leaned in to say the words as they passed. Macy hesitated; Brad stumbled but managed to stay upright. He snarled at Noah as they passed.
“That’s ch-cheating,” Lani wheezed.
“Yes, it is,” Noah said, sounding as if he was taking a stroll, while she was dying.
“Those cupcakes you gave me were burned, Lani.”
She turned to see who was speaking to her and found Jake and Branna McBride.
“Focus!” Noah roared, but it was too late, and she tripped. Large hands grabbed her, steadying her. She was lifted slightly and they stumbled several steps. Noah cursed.
It all happened in slow motion after that. They fell, not hard, with Noah landing first and Lani ending up on top of him.
“Get a room,” someone said, running by.
“Aww, look at that, Noah and Lani stopped for a cuddle.”
Arms banded around her, and suddenly they were both laughing.
“That sounds good on you.”
Lani tried to get off him, but he held her still on top of his long, hard body.
“Laughing, I mean. It suits you.”
“Let me go, Noah. Everyone is looking at us.”
