Page 82 of Secrets on Ice

But the heat in my body doesn’t.

"Come on." Cassidy grabs my wrist, practically dragging me through the lobby. "No excuses."

"Hey, I’ve been jogging every day with you, just … not in the mood today.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just a little flat,” I tell her.

“Well, a run will do you good, get those endorphins going.” She grins.

The concierge smiles and wishes us a good morning as we head for the front doors. The second we step onto the sidewalk, Cassidy takes off at an easy jog.

I follow.

One step.

Two.

Three.

My foot lands awkwardly on the uneven edge of the curb. Pain shoots through my ankle.

"Shit." I stumble sideways, grabbing the nearest light pole before I hit the ground.

Cassidy spins around immediately. "Em!" She jogs back. "What happened?"

"I rolled my ankle."

"Let me see." She crouches, already reaching for my ankle.

I wave her off. "It's fine."

She winces. "It doesn't look fine. I can see a color change.”

"I literally took three steps."

"Looks like you nearly ate concrete."

I laugh despite myself. "I'm okay," I tell her, wincing as I put my foot down.

Ouch.

She studies me for another second. “Come on, let me help you.”

I shake my head. “No, you’re meeting up with the others. Go, tell them I’m sorry.” We’ve been running with Evelina, Camryn, and Kimberly, the wedding coordinators, who are good friends with Marlowe and her sister, Rainn, who is this gorgeous fitness influencer. We kind of started this girls running club on Saturday mornings. It’s safer to run in a pack together around Central Park.

"Seriously?"

I nod. "Go."

"I'm not leaving you."

"Cass, I’m literally a couple of steps away from home. I’m going to sit down, ice my ankle, and be good to go.” She doesn’t seem convinced. “I did say I was feeling flat and didn’t want to, and the universe agreed.”

This makes her laugh. “Fine, let me help you back.”

I shake my head. “You’ll be running late. I’m fine. Go.” I shoo her.