Chapter 28: Cheering Them On

Ellie

She hadn't planned to say anything to any of the contestants at the starting line; it had just happened. River had been looking in her direction just as the whistle blew to start the race, and her mouth had started moving before she even realized what was happening. At least she'd only said, "Good luck!" and not, "I love you!" Not that she did.... Not yet anyway.

She felt her cheeks heat up when he smiled at her, and they stayed that way as she continued to think about him.

She wouldn't be watching the entire race like she'd watched the entire throwing contest because that would be impossible. Short of running alongside them, she wouldn't be able to keep an eye on the entire course, and her father had forbidden her from doing that. Originally, she'd asked Michael if she could run the race, too, and he'd said, "No! You are the prize, the delicate flower pinned to the lapel of the winner!"

She'd reminded him that she was none of those things, and he'd still said no. So her plan n