“They do,” Oliver insisted, taking a few quick steps beyond me as if to prove his point. “See? I’m practically floating.”

“Oh, yeah,” I wheezed. “This is a breeze.”

Oliver tossed back his head and chuckled. “Not much for exercise, huh?”

“I do Pilates,” I said defensively. Every Tuesday and Thursday. Which actually reminded me, I really needed to cancel that membership. It wasn’t like I’d be using it any time soon, and I couldn’t exactly afford to be squandering away one hundred dollars a month on a gym membership while there was still no end in sight to my unemployment.

Oliver let me walk in front of him before letting out a low whistle. “I can tell.”

My eyebrows shot up as I turned around to find him smiling at me. “Like you can tell what my body looks like through all these layers.”

“Maybe I’ve noticed before,” he said, a sly grin creeping onto his face.

Heat rushed into my cheeks that had little to do with the exertion of the hike.

Oliver, seemingly oblivious to the effect he had on me, fell into step next to me. “So, no sports then?” he asked.

“What like adult intramural volleyball?” I snorted. “Hard pass.”

When I glanced up at Oliver, he looked deeply offended by that. “Adult leagues are a great place to meet people, Frankie.”

He had me there. Maybe I shouldn’t be poking fun at any extracurricular activities when my life currently held none.

“Maybe I’ll give it a try one day.”

“Yeah, right,” he said with a laugh. “What about high school? Did you at least play sports then?”

“Aside from my failed attempt at track and field, not really.” My snowshoe hit a hidden branch, and I stumbled a little. Oliver’s hands were around my waist in an instant, steadying me. “I was more into academics,” I continued, stepping away from his touch. “You know, debate team, student council, those types of things.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “Our paths would not have crossed in high school.”

Oliver in high school. Without even having to ask, I was sure he was the popular, jock type. I had been popular in my own way. I hadn’t had too bad of an awkward phase, and I did have friends. But all my overachieving left little time for a social life.

“Oh yeah? Not big into studies,” I teased.

“Not even a little. I made sure I passed because I wanted to get the hell out of there and never think about school again, but I wouldn’t say I thrived. Plus, a passing grade was necessary for sports.”

“Which I take it you did in abundance.”

“Yep.” I could hear the smile in his voice even though my gaze was fixed on my steps. “Soccer, basketball, baseball. My dad was always irritated I couldn’t commit to only one. He told me I might actually amount to being more than average if I did that. I think that just made me want to spread myself even thinner.”