He’d thought it would be fun to have a quick vacation fling with Katie. But now that he’d heard her story, he didn’t want to bring any more tragedy into her life. After all, he had no intention of making this a serious relationship, no matter how good it had felt to hold her in his arms when he carried her up the river bank.
“No, we’re only friends. But she paddled really hard today, and she deserves a treat. Besides, she’ll need something to do tomorrow, since we’ll be gone all day.
“I’ll make sure she’s entertained,” said Zoe. “In fact, we’re having a Lunch and Limbo Mixer for our singles down at the beach tomorrow. She’ll love it.”
“Great,” he said, his flat tone portraying just how excited he was about Katie at a single’s mixer. He could imagine her d
oing the limbo in her swimsuit while a bunch of guys stood around ogling her. His fingers curled and tightened into fists as he fought the urge to punch the wall.
“My coach is asleep on the job.”
From his comfortable place stretched out on the couch, Gary woke to find Steven peeling off his sweaty shirt while walking through the cottage living room.
“How was your bike ride?” Gary yawned as he rubbed his eyes and blinked at the clock on the wall. “Two hours?”
“Two hours, on the dot,” he said. “That’s what my coach has on my schedule for today.”
“Good for you. And tomorrow is a rest day. Other than our dive trip, no exercise whatsoever.”
“But I missed some days last month when I was traveling,” Steven said. “I’m behind I’m my training. I can’t afford a rest day.”
“Rest is exactly what you need. You’re not behind on your training. You’re over-trained. Your body needs time to rest and recover.”
“You do understand the goal is to win the overall title, right? I won’t be satisfied with anything less.”
“Right now, our goal is to get your body in the best possible shape for the triathlon. Just follow my plan, and that will happen. As for winning,” Gary said, “we may have to hope some of those other guys don’t listen to their coaches.”
“Right now, my goal is to take a shower and go eat. I’m starving,” said Steven. “What time are we going to dinner?”
“We leave in forty minutes, but the plan is to walk into town.”
Thirty-nine minutes and fourteen seconds later, by Steven’s timer, the two departed the cottage. As they made their way toward Katie’s cottage, Steven said, “I forgot to ask how Katie fared on the rest of the kayak trip. Was she able to paddle again?”
“She paddled quite a bit.” Gary shook his head. “She sure is headstrong. The two of you must butt heads at the office.”
“She’s not like that with me. She’s pretty easygoing.” Steven shrugged. “Maybe she respects me more because I don’t tease her.”
“Or because you sign her paychecks.” Gary didn’t want to believe she got along better with Steven. “She probably doesn’t speak her mind around you.”
“No. We just think alike. She loves that I’m uber-organized. But, she’ll let me know if I’m being short with her. It’s kind of a mutual respect.”
“If you say so.”
“Listen,” said Steven. “Are you thinking about dating Katie? Because I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
Gary’s first impulse was to say the thought never crossed his mind, but Steven’s uninvited opinion irked him. “Maybe that should be Katie’s decision.”
“I can only see this going one way,” Steven said. “You’ll do your usual thing and go out a few times and then break it off before you get too attached. Only, I think Katie will already be too attached. And I’ll be left with a broken-hearted PA who’ll look for another job because I’m best friends with her ex-boyfriend.”
Since a short-term relationship was his goal, Gary didn’t try to deny the possibility. “Maybe Katie would enjoy a fun, no-strings-attached relationship.”
“I’d rather you didn’t ruin my good thing for your temporary pleasure.”
“Would you approve if we were dating seriously?”
“Absolutely not!” said Steven. “Then the two of you would get married, and I’d still lose my PA.”
“Not that it’s ever going to happen, but why would you lose Katie if we got married?”