Page 77 of Best Kept Secret

“No way. I’m going to win this race, and then…”

“Yes?”

“I don’t know yet, but it’ll be good, believe me.”

“How do you know I won’t win?”

“Competitive much?”

“Only when I really want something.”

Her meaning was clear, and he took it as a good sign. He wanted her, and she wanted him. No matter what trials and tribulations they’d face, love would prevail, just like in her romance novel.

It simply had to.

Twenty-Three

After they raced across the pool and he was declared the winner, they gathered up their things and prepared to leave.

“I let you win,” she teased as she stuffed their towels into the beach bag.

“Yeah, right. I was ahead of you by a mile.”

“Think what you want, but I know the truth.”

He chuckled as he pulled his shirt over his head.

She put on her cover-up and then looked around to make sure they hadn’t forgotten anything.

The strolled back to the apartment hand in hand, their bodies damp and sun-drenched. Partway there, she realized she hadn’t taken her hair down, but since they hadn’t passed a single soul, she decided it didn’t matter. Besides, if anyone saw her neck, they might think she’d been attacked by mosquitos instead.

“What is it about swimming that makes me so hungry?” she said.

“It burns a lot of calories.”

“I wish other activities did too.”

He smirked at her. “Like sex?”

“If it did, I’d be in really good shape by the end of this weekend.”

He chuckled. “When we get back, we can eat and then get cleaned up for the fireworks.”

“We’ll have some extra time before they start. Whatever will we do with it?”

“Since I won the race, it’s my choice, remember?”

“Yes, and you’re never going to let me forget it, are you?”

“Not a chance.”

They’d just rounded the corner of his building when he abruptly came to a stop. She’d been admiring a beautiful rose bush and had no idea why he’d paused until…

“There you are,” a woman said.

The voice sounded familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it. When she turned toward the speaker, she went stock-still. It was Jenna’s client Sonia, the woman Kelsey had mistakenly thought was Emily. What was she doing here, and why was she with…Annie?

Sonia came closer with a baby carrier strapped to her chest and Annie facing out. Upon seeing them, and more specifically, Hudson, Annie’s arms and legs flailed excitedly.