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

“That wasn’t your supervisor, I hope.”


“Nope. That was Callie. She knows about you. She’ll push for details later.” He squeezed my hand. We had never let go of one another. “Okay. So that’s November, which still leaves December. As we’re getting to know each other better, talking, hanging out, what else can we do in December that will be…? I know. Spend time with each other’s families. That’s an important step in a relationship, right?”


“Come on. I already met your father. I’d love to meet your mother, she of the five reasons.”


“My mother…” I touched the silver charm at my throat.


“Monopoly…a hotel. My mother gave it to me the last birthday we…Her name was Kathryn…Kathryn Kelly. She was Irish, too, like you. Katie, everyone called her. We played Monopoly all the time. She died when I was nine.”


“Oh. Oh, Marty…I’m…sorry. We never talked about that…back then.”


“No. It’s hard still. I was young. She was sick a couple of years. I miss her.”


Chapter 14