Page 28 of Your Pace Or Mine

“Yes, the week after hers. We could do a pub night, or karaoke or something.” He smiles at me gently, like he can tell I’m disappointed. He can be awkward at times, but I think he notices details most people miss.

“Cool, yeah, we’ll plan on it. Karaoke would be fun,” I force a smile, then hear Sebastian groan beside me. He’s probably rolling his eyes too. Such a music snob. “I wasn’t going to bring you along, Bash, but now I am. I know you love to sing top forties hits and eighties classics.”

He would typically reply with some sarcastic remark, but he’s too out of breath. I look over at him. “We … must be … almost … halfway done … by now,” he pants.

Cal and I both glance at our fitness watches. “We’ve done almost two kilometers,” I say, and Sebastian’s lets out a slight whimper.

I slow our pace a little more and nod at Cal to say that I’ve got this and he should go join the rest of them. No use in all of us plodding along.

“Not so cocky about your fitness level now?” I say after Cal runs up ahead.

He looks a bit sheepish, so I take pity on him. “Seriously, it’s impressive that you’re hanging in. There’s a reason couch-to-five-kilometers programs are months long. Even fit people can’t just jump into running.”

He mutters a quiet thanks, though he still looks chagrined. My watch buzzes. “That’s two even.” I can read a slight panic in Sebastian’s eyes at the idea that we’re only twenty percent done, so I throw him a bone. “We could turn back now, or do another 500 meters and turn around to aim for five. Either way, you’re getting a decent run in. We can also take some walking breaks.”

“Walk?” He looks affronted, like I’ve insulted his manliness.

I roll my eyes. “Plenty of experienced runners incorporate walking intervals. Some do whole marathons like that and many of them are pretty fast.”

“Let’s turn at 500 meters,” he huffs out. “And maybe try walking.”

I smile to myself, then leave him briefly and sprint up to catch Cal and Laurel at a red light ahead. “Hey, we’re going to turn back early, so don’t wait for us.”

Cal gives me a thumbs up while Laurel says, “We have to talk, Ash.”

I make a face, but then Sebastian approaches. I’m off the hook as we let them run ahead. “Let’s turn here, but we’ll take a breather first.”

He bends over and leans on his thighs. “Thank God. I didn’t think I could keep this up for much longer.”

“I know.” I pat him on the shoulder. “We’ll work on it. Soon you’ll be a regular.”

“Fuck, no.” He coughs, then straightens up and pretends he’s completely fine. “I don’t understand how any of you do this for fun. It’s clearly torture.”

“I thought you liked exercise!” The guy certainly posts enough gym selfies to make one think he’s there all the time.

“I like the outcome of exercise,” he says as we start walking briskly back toward Yonge and Eglinton. “I like pushing through stress, sure, but it’s not for fun. It’s to keep up my girlish figure.”

He’s ridiculous as always, but God help me, I’m laughing. That’s how it’s always been with Bash. He’s able to add that little drop of comical self-awareness to his cocky façade, and it draws me in.

We manage the distance back, alternating between running and walking, keeping conversation to a minimum. When we reach the square, I offer to buy Sebastian a coffee and though he makes a face about drinking their brew, we wait in Starbucks for the crew to return. I don’t know why he’s sticking around. He’s got his keys and phone, and these aren’t his friends. Still, he’s keeping me company, so I won’t complain.

“What’s on deck next week?” I ask.

“Oh, same as always. I’ve been messaging a few women in the Six app, so we’ll see where that leads. Seth and I have a meeting with the Vancouver team on Tuesday, and I might visit my mom at some point.”

I haven’t seen Sebastian’s mom in ages, not since our university graduation, but she was always nice to me. “How’s she doing?”

He shrugs. “She’s hanging in. Penny and I try to visit more now that Curtis has finally moved out and she’s on her own.” It’s weird to think of Sebastian’s little brother and sister as adults on their own since they were still kids when we met. They must be in their mid-twenties by now.

“Well, say hi for me.”

He nods. “What about you?”

I tell him about a few irons in the dating app fire. One guy in particular seemed friendly and he’s also a runner, so maybe that date will go well. I haven’t had much luck recently, but at least the bad dates make for good content.

“You must be doing great with your marketing because new users keep popping up and messaging me.”

He smiles, clearly proud of the work we’ve been doing. “Yeah, our user numbers are up after our Valentine’s promotions. I think Seth might finally push the button on the engagement ring he’s been eyeing forever.”