Torin (Hope City #9) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,53
if it was true or not. The week had gone by so quickly, each day causing her butterflies to increase as well as the excitement of running in her first marathon. Following the prescribed routine, she and Torin had slowed down their training each day, and yesterday had just gone for a short jog before going to the conference center to pick up their race packets. They'd eaten carefully for the past two days, and they both skipped work the day before so they had plenty of time to rest.
Sitting up in bed, she glanced over to the side, a small giggle slipping out at the two flat runners. The previous evening, they’d set out their running shoes and socks, spread their running pants over a chair, and draped their running shirts on the back with the race identification tags already pinned to them. Adding their water bottles and sport drink packets, they made sure not to forget anything. With their clothes laid out that way, it looked like flat runners were sitting in the chair.
“There’s something wrong about getting up before daylight,” came the sleep-gravel voice in bed next to her.
She twisted and glanced down, grinning. “There are lots of people who go to work in the dark each morning, Torin.”
“Yeah, and they’re tucked into bed, fast asleep while I'm still working at midnight.”
She loved his whiskey-rough voice first thing in the morning, even when he was grumbling. Throwing herself on top of him, she elicited a grunt, declaring, “You cannot be grumpy on race day. It's absolutely forbidden. In fact, I think it's against the rules.”
“God forbid I break one of the marathon rules before I even get out of bed.”
She kissed him soundly then started to lean back, but his arms banded tightly. “I think it's also a rule on marathon day that I get a bigger kiss than a little peck.”
She gladly acquiesced, and the kiss flamed wet and wild for a moment before they both pulled back. Their gazes held before she sighed. “I know, I know. If we keep kissing, we’ll never get out of bed and then we’ll miss the race.”
“Don’t tempt me, woman.”
She threw the covers off the bed and quickly got to her feet. “I'll take a shower while you pry your eyes open. Then, while you're in the shower, I'll get dressed and make sure we have our light breakfast.”
Later, leaning against the breakfast bar, eating their oatmeal and banana, she admired the way he filled out his running shorts and shirt. Giving a mental shake, she dragged her thoughts from his body back to the day’s event. “I can't believe we got the same starting wave. Brianna was so bummed that Ryker is in the wave right behind her.”
“Yeah, but he'll probably catch up to her.”
“What really made our moms happy was that not only are you and I together but Caitlin and Bekki are together in the wave right in front of us.”
“And with Brianna in the same wave as them, we should be good.”
They finished their breakfast, then double-checked all their supplies. Identification, a long sleeve shirt that could be pulled off and tossed to the side if needed, same with a hat and gloves.
“Are you just going to toss what you don’t need?” she asked.
“Yeah. I’m not wearing anything I can’t get rid of. The city can pick them up.”
The majority of runners would have extra items of clothes that were needed in the cool early morning which by the time they were running for a couple of hours would become a hindrance. They could be pulled off and thrown to the side of the street. At the end of the marathon, city maintenance would go by and pick up all the discarded items of clothing, putting them together to be donated to charity.
“I heard that last year, over six tons of clothes were picked up after the race and donated,” she said, shaking her head. “It’s hard to imagine.” As she checked her items once again, she looked up, catching his grin. “I know, I know. I’m just afraid of forgetting something.” She inclined her head toward his pack. “You got everything?”
“I'm good. You?”
She walked over and lifted on her toes, kissing him lightly. “Together, we’re perfect.”
He grinned, and they walked out of his apartment, locking the door. He slid the key into the key pocket of his running shorts and zipped it closed.
Stepping outside, she shivered in the early morning chill. Even though the