Numbers mean everything to an Olympic marathoner, but for Gordon O’Dooley, his obsession with one number in particular might get a little out of hand. Gordon literally comes running into Marty Walsh’s family diner one day, and their mutual attraction is instant. He comes on too strong, though, and Marty quickly slams on the brakes. When Marty suggests they take things slow, Gordon races off, and any hope of a relationship goes right along with him. Four years pass, and Marty does his best to move on. But fate brings them back together as Gordon is preparing for another Olympic bid. They agree to start over, slowly this time. As they get to know each other, Marty comes to realize how strong Gordon's obsession with the number five is. Will Marty be able to handle Gordon's OCD? And what will Gordon do when he realizes the reason behind Marty's reluctance at intimacy?

Put Five Rings on It

“Can you take them to the dining room?” the blond girl at the front desk asked. “All the way down the hall, a left, another left, and then straight ahead.”


The question had been rhetorical, I figured, since it was followed by directions. I set down the pies on her desk and thought about bolting. Instead, I hiked up my pants—which had been falling lower and lower since I’d started across the parking lot—and then grabbed the boxes. The top one fell. “Fuck.” I looked at the receptionist and pictured her teaching Sunday school on her day off. “Sorry.” The box was sealed. I hadn’t made a mess, but I could only imagine what the pie was going to look like once it was opened.


Chapter 10