AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It was fine.”
My lips twitched, noting the rapid rise and fall of her chest as she fought to regain control of her breathing. She hadn’t been that winded yesterday after we’d finished on the bike path.
“Was it easier on your knees?” I pressed.
She considered my question a moment, her eyes searching my face. Eventually, she replied, “Yeah, maybe a little bit.”
Why did it feel like she believed it cost her the world to admit that? “I’m glad, but you know it won't kill you to admit that I know what I’m talking about and could be right about something?”
That vulnerability she’d given me was instantly gone. “Excuse me?”
I shrugged, one half of my mouth quirking. “I’m just saying. You could relax a bit. There’s no need to be so rigid all the time.”
She lifted a brow and fired back. “And you don’t have to insist on running with me.”
There wasn’t a chance I was going to give this up, not when I had things I needed to accomplish. I offered a fake smile in return. “Oh, Rhea. It’s adorable you think I’m easily rattled. There’s not a chance of that happening. In fact, I’m wondering if you’re up for doing it again tomorrow?”
Her cautious and questioning stare was back in place. “Again? Tomorrow?”
I tipped my head to the side and allowed my eyes to roam over her face. “I thought you came out for a run every morning.”
She nodded. “Monday through Friday, yes.”
Lifting a brow, I asked, “So, would you like to run together at the same time tomorrow?”
There was a long pause before she said, “Well, I won’t wait around, because I’ve got things to do.”
It took everything in me to hold back the laughter. Evidently, she’d been thrown a bit off balance and felt as though she needed to regain some control of the situation. “Don’t you worry about me, Mantis. I’ll be here bright and early.”
Rhea narrowed her eyes on me. “What did you just call me?”
“Mantis,” I returned, matter-of-factly.
“And what is that supposed to mean?”
My lips twitched. “You’ve never heard of a praying mantis?”
Her brows furrowed. “Of course, I have. What does that have to do with me?”
“Well, the female mantis always bites off the male mantis’s head,” I explained.
Rhea’s eyes rounded. “Yeah, that’s what happens when they mate!”
It was all I could do not to burst out laughing. I bit the inside of my cheek, nodded slowly, and replied, “Exactly.”
For several long moments, Rhea simply stared at me in disbelief. Then she turned around and said, “I’m leaving.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow morning!” I called out to her departing back side.
She lifted her hand in the air, as though dismissing me, as she clipped, “Great.”
That single word might have seemed positive, but her tone indicated she wasn’t exactly thrilled. It only made me that much more excited to see where the rest of the week would lead us.
I stood there, rooted to the spot, watching and waiting until she’d pulled out of the lot. And I did it feeling amused and eager for more time with her.
6
WYATT
