An emotional crutch...Shane had certainly been right about that. And deep down, Krista had always been aware of the lack of passion between her and Ryan. It was just that the draw of that steady, long-lasting relationship she’d always craved had been too strong. But if there was one thing that she’d discovered about herself in the Rockies, it was that she wanted—no, deserved—a man who gave her everything. Who made herfeeleverything. Friendship and love, sizzle and sex, comfort and contentment. She wanted to feel floaty and untethered but still part of something special. Something unique and solid and exciting.
Something like she had started with Shane.
The Seawall Path to Stanley Park...
If there was one thing Krista had learned from her misguided crush on Ryan, it was not to sit around and wait for things to happen. And from split pants to hiding in a bush, to crying like a heartbroken fool, she’d embarrassed herself so much in front of Shane already, what the hell else did she have to lose?
She started to run.
“Where are you going?” Ryan shouted behind her.
“To chase the right dream!”
***
Shane cleared the curbin one long stride.
What the hell was he doing?
And where the hell had all these pedestrians come from? Why so many people in his way? Swerving and dodging, he sprinted back to the aquatics center.
Back to Krista.
She was probably long gone by now. On her date with Ryan.
But Shane had to know for sure. He’d had enough of being a coward—and he’d had enough of letting what Fiona had done rule his future. Wasn’t she even the whole reason why he’d devised his new life plan?
This whole past year, he’d been too afraid to step away from his strict regime of training, studying, and keeping away from women. But that was before he’d got to know Krista. Got to know her sweet and kick-assy ways. She was open and warmhearted, honest and funny, and kind.
And the heat between them had been off the charts.
Last week, they’d startedsomethingworth fighting for. He saw that now.
So what if Ryan had kissed her? The game wasn’t over yet. Not until he heard the wordsI don’t want you, Shanecome straight out of Krista’s mouth.
Pushing harder, he took his chance with a gap in the traffic, crossed the street—and that’s when he saw her.
She was running.
Running towards him!
“You’re the biggest jerk I know, Shane McDermit!” she called out breathlessly, but despite her words, there was no anger in her eyes—just...excitement and exhilaration, like when she’d reached the top of a mountain.
Shane stopped in front of her, his chest heaving, his heart soaring.Why wasn’t she with Ryan?
“So, as I was saying”—Krista swiped at a strand of hair that had stuck to her lip gloss—“you’re a jerk.”
“You ran just to tell me that?” he asked, biting back a smile. Her hair was a mess, her cheeks red from her run. She looked adorable. And—miracle of all miracles—she was here. With him! Not Ryan.
“I like you Shane.” Krista took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut, like she was just about to jump off a cliff. “I want us to date. And Ryan kissedmethe other day. I was ambushed. I would’ve explained, but you were such a hotheaded idiot.”
“I know.”
Then, sucking in more air, she added, “And you wanna know what else you are?”
“A coward?”
“Yep. Like,reallyspineless. So, you got hurt. You gonna let that ruin the rest of your life?”
