Mason was standing in the small coffee shop he’d seen down on the corner of Lena’s street, still trying to decide what the hell had just happened back there. Things had been going well until the picture. Obviously it represented something important, he just had no idea what. Maybe it was a friend of hers who’d screwed her over? Maybe it was her sister who she no longer talked to and didn’t want to explain, hell he had no clue. He got to the counter ordered two coffees to go and two blueberry muffins. All he knew was she thought he was going home and leaving her alone, but she was in for a rude surprise. She’d invited him to go for a run today and he was going to hold her to that promise whether she wanted to or not. Grabbing up the small white paper sack with the muffins he balanced the coffee tray and headed back to the war zone.


Not twenty minutes after Mason left Lena heard a loud knock on her front door. She’d tied her hair up in a ponytail and brushed her teeth then gone back to her bedroom and thrown on some grey yoga pants. Rubbing her eyes she made her way to the door. Yawning once she didn’t bother checking who was on the other side before she flung it open, that would teach her. “I thought you left.” she watched as he looked her over.

“I told you I was leaving for the moment. You and I have a running date, incase you’ve forgotten.” he paused then raised the tray of coffee, “Plus I bought you coffee.”

“I don’t want a coffee. I want you to leave.” she snapped at him.

Pushing his way off the door jamb he stood tall and looked down at her. Lena tilted her head back still holding the door blocking half the entrance.

“This can be easy Lena, or it can be hard. Your choice.”

Clenching her jaw she took a deep breath. He was being stubborn and that was not helping her in the slightest. Why couldn’t he be like the guy she’d originally thought he was and just shrug and walk away? When had he turned into a stubborn wall of pain in the ass?

“Do you enjoy hanging around women who don’t want you?”

He rolled his eyes at her latest attempt of, mean. “We both know that statement is a lie and if you were a wooden boy your nose would be ten feet long.”

She felt a crack in her defense as her lip twitched. “I would hope you wouldn’t be having this conversation with a wooden boy.”

“Let me in the house Lena.”

She eyed the bag then asked, “What’s in the sack?”

“Muffins.”

“What kind?”

“Blueberry.”

Sighing loudly she moved aside reluctantly, “Fine come in, but only because I’m hungry and their blueberry muffins are to die for.”

He went to move past her then stopped. “Understood.”

Lena watched him as she sipped her coffee trying to figure out what he was thinking. He hadn’t said anything since he’d come into the house and made his way into the kitchen. After she’d got out two small plates they’d sat at her small kitchen table and ended up in a battle of wills. She was determined to make him so uncomfortable he’d leave and he was determined to be stubborn and stay. It was like two rams butting heads.

Leaning back in the wooden chair, his long legs sprawled out under the table accidentally bumping hers. She didn’t move though, she was determined to hold her ground. Never taking her eyes from his she picked up a piece of muffin and popped it into her mouth. He was still wearing his black pants from last night. She figured he must of had the black shirt under his white chef’s smock because that was what he was in now and even though he should look disheveled and put out, all he managed to look was hot. Smoking hot, and right now she hated him for it. When he finished his muffin he sat up in the chair hearing it creak and moan under him. He raised a brow to her. “I’m not in danger of landing on my ass am I?”

For some reason that statement broke the ice. She burst out laughing and placed a hand across her mouth. “Do you really think I’d tell you and miss out on something so spectacular?”


Mason found himself laughing with the prickly doctor. It seemed he’d managed to break through whatever wall she’d been trying to build. Leaning forward he rested his elbows on the table. “We’ll have to go by my place so I can get some running gear. There’s a park down the street from me we could go to. Does that sound ok to you?”

She sat back in her chair and let out a deep breath. “You really aren’t going away are you?”

He watched her closely and choose his words carefuly. “No I’m not. Lena look at me.”

Her eyes slowly opened and focused on him.

“I know there are things you don’t want to tell me. I get that. I even know that it’s way to soon for you to be ready to tell me, but you will. Eventually.”

She blinked once then bit her lip gently.

“Right now though, I’ll settle for a run with you in the park.”

He pushed the chair back and stood up coming around the table to hold out a hand. Looking up at him with wide eyes she took it.

“I don’t understand why you’re going to all this trouble.”

Grinning he squeezed her fingers. “I’m finally realizing something my father told me a couple of years ago before he died.”

He watched her eyes soften a little, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“That’s ok he was a great man, lived a great life.”

She seemed to be trying to work up the nerve to say something but at the last minute she lowered her gaze took a breath and dropped his hand. “What did he tell you?”

He reached out and stroked her cheek. “That’s something I’m not ready to tell you yet. But I will, eventually.”


An hour later Lena was waiting on a bench, watching the ducks swim in circles, while Mason had gone upstairs to change. She’d told him she needed the fresh air but really she just needed some distance. The man was starting to make her feel things she really didn’t want to and she was still trying to work that out. When he came jogging down the street then crossed over toward her she almost wished she could be like Shelly and just say, oh what the hell and jump the guy. His shorts were bright red and hit just above his knees showing off his muscular calf muscles that were lightly sprinkled with hair. He’d put on a black sleeveless shirt and red baseball cap to run in and his arms flexed as the swung back and forward. He looked lickable. This work out was going to be torture. She stood and walked over to him trying to act like the sight of him powering over to her didn’t affect her in the slightest.

“Ready to stretch?”

She nodded, “Sure am. Think you’ll be able to keep up with me Langley?”

He grunted and nodded, “You’ll be eating my dust doctor.”

Rolling her eyes she bent down to touch her toes. He made a noise and she looked up at him. The side of his mouth pulled up.

“Got a problem?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

“No. I was just wishing you’d do that over here in front of me.”

Shaking her head she laughed a little, “Perv.”

“Is it my fault you’re wearing the tightest yoga pants I’ve ever seen? Please don’t run in front of me I don’t think my heart will survive it.”

Now she laughed loudly, “That’s ok I’m a doctor I wont let you die.”

He moved into a forward lunge stretching his thigh and calf, “Yeah for little kids.”

“Same principal.” she said as she pulled her right leg up behind her to stretch her hamstring. He stood up crossing his arms over his head. She watched his biceps flex and pull and narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you trying to pay me back?”

He dropped his arms. “No, but it’s good to know you’re hot for my body.”

She let go of her ankle and rolled her eyes. “Oh my god. Can we go now?”

Chuckling he nodded, “Sure. How far?”

“I usually do 5 miles.”

“5 miles it is. But please for all that’s holy, run beside me.”

She chuckled and started off up the trail.


When they hit their fourth mile Mason glanced over to see a light sheen of sweat on Lena’s face. She was breathing evenly, in through her nose out through her mouth, and her form was unbelievable. She could really run. He thought he was going to have to pull back on his pace but she was giving him a run for his money. He paced along beside her and since she was smaller than him he did have to shorten his stride but other than that he found she was an amazing running partner. In fact, he was starting to think everything about her was amazing. He still couldn’t believe it’d only been a couple of weeks ago when they’d first met, not to mention only last week when they’d had their first date. Mason felt as though he’d known her much longer, and although there was a lot about her he didn’t understand he found he didn’t mind waiting to find out. She was smart, witty and prickly as a porcupine, but for some reason the ‘don’t touch sign’ that was hanging around her at times just made him want to touch more. They were just coming up over a small bridge when he saw her glance at him out of the corner of her eye. Turning his head toward her he arched an eyebrow. Then she grinned and he felt his chest tighten, that was worth everything. To see her smile like nothing else was bothering her for that moment. He’d done that, he was making her happy, and he didn’t think he’d ever felt so proud of himself in his life.

“Race you the last mile Langley.”

He kept pace beside her. “What are the stakes?”

“Stakes?” she asked looking a little confused.

“Yeah, what do I win?”

Letting out a quick laugh and breathing a little heavier she asked, “What makes you think you’ll win?”