Laughing, Justin kept on jogging, his hands securely holding her legs at his waist. “Hang on and let me make it to the bridge. Man card on the line, remember?”
His man card had never been on the line. She knew exactly how manly he was—was haunted by memories of his manliness. And he sure wasn’t laboring to carry her, which was a testament to how in shape he was.
Looking ahead, Riley eyed the bridge. It wasn’t that far away, and he was making good headway in its direction.
“Okay. Since Daisy has hushed, and you seem determined to do this, to the bridge it is. Can’t have your man card being revoked on my account.”
“Phew, thank goodness for that.”
“No one would believe this,” she mused.
She didn’t believe it. Who’d have thought earlier today that she’d be riding on Justin’s back?
“Take a picture for proof?” he suggested, giving her leg a squeeze.
“Yeah, right. A picture of this—that’s what I want. Not.”
“I want one,” he surprised her by saying. “Take one for me. I bet we look cute.”
“‘Cute’ is not the word I’m thinking.”
Being careful to hold on with one arm around his neck, she dug into the pocket at her waist to pull out her phone. She didn’t want a photo of them, but... But he said he did, so it would be rude not to take one, right?
He slowed to a stop as she held the phone up high, trying to get them at a decent angle.
“Here, let me.”
Riley tightened her legs at his waist as he took her phone, held it farther out in front of them.
“Say cheese.”
“Cheese!” she said, keeping her smile in place.
“Hmm, I couldn’t get Daisy in,” he said, holding the camera up again. “Let me try from a side angle.” He snapped a couple more shots, then surprised her further by saying, “Now a silly one.”
Even though she knew he couldn’t see her face, she arched a brow. “As opposed to our non-silly ones?”
“Humor me?”
“I’m on your back, aren’t I?”
He laughed. “That you are. Now, make a funny face.”
She let go of his neck, held her arms out wide to her sides, kept her legs tight at his waist, and stuck her tongue out at her phone.
He clicked the screen a few times, then, laughing, pulled the photo up on her phone.“Hey, that’s great,” he said.
He held it up to where she could see.
“I hope the others are better, because there’s nothing ‘great’ about that one.” Although she had to admit seeing Justin’s face contorted into his “silly” pose did warm something inside her.
Or maybe that was just the trapped heat accumulating between their sweaty bodies.
He swiped his finger across the phone screen and showed her the next picture.
“This one is good.”
He was right. The photo on the screen was perfect. Justin’s face was full of good humor as he smiled at the camera, his eyes twinkled, and the sheen of sweat outlined his muscular arms perfectly. Her own smile looked real, relaxed, and her eyes sparkled. Even her skin glowed.