The Running Series Complete Collection: 3-Book Set plus Bonus Novella (15 page)

A hand on the small of my back pulls me back to the here and now.  “Let’s go.”

Side by side, we begin our slow plodding jog along the water’s edge.  I’m used to running alone and losing myself in my own world of thoughts.  Right now, I’m aware of the most minuscule details ... the way my hair looks, the way my boobs bounce when I run, how my hands are balled into fists, and how unattractive it is to sweat in front of a man.

Evan is sweating, too.  But on him, it’s hot.  His skin shines in the early morning light.  I imagine other situations where we might both be slick with sweat, hot from exertion, and wrapped in each other’s arms.  I’ve never fallen so fast, and so deep.

“Juliette, you look deep in thought. What are you thinking about?”  His voice is steady and strong.

Breathlessly, I answer, “Not much ... just making a ... mental list of ... the various ways ... I can get you all ... hot and sweaty.”

“Really?  What’s on your list?”  How can he sound like he’s taking a stroll through the park when I’m fighting for each breath?

“I’m thinking you could ... come home with me ... and maybe we could ... move some furniture.” 

“I’d love to make the furniture move with you, Juliette.”  He speaks in his most flirty come-hither voice.

“I do have ... a lot of furniture ... that needs moving.”  While this banter is just in fun, there’s a part of me that can easily imagine us ‘moving the furniture’ in every room of my house.  And every room in his house.

“Juliette, if I thought for one minute that you were serious, I would lift you up, throw you over my shoulder, and carry you right back to my bedroom.”

“What makes ... you think ... I’m not ... serious?”

“You’re still running.”

Sensing a challenge, I stop dead in my tracks.  “Not anymore ... now what, chief?”

“OK, you asked for it!”  He lifts me up and throws me over one shoulder in a fireman carry and begins the hike back down the beach.  Once again, I find myself on the beach with my ass in a place where my ass is not supposed to be.  This one, however, is not unwelcomed.

“Evan, put me down!”  I struggle to swat him on his ass with all the might I can muster, but it’s like hitting a brick wall.  Man, that boy has some tight glutes.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a bright flash of light.  It seems we are no longer alone.  We’ve reached the boardwalk and there’s a man with a camera undoubtedly taking stills of the early morning beach.  Quite a show we must be putting on for this unexpected audience.

Gently, he places me back on my feet.  “Let’s get going, Juliette.  You ready to head back?”  Evan’s mood seems darker.  Maybe I took our charade a little too far. 

I follow his lead and together, we begin ourjog back.  In no time, we have returned to his beach house.  Evan asks me to sit on the deck while he goes in and retrieves some bottled water for us.  He reappears and I’m glad to see his face is more relaxed.  Whatever dark cloud shadowed his mood is gone now.

“So, are you working tonight?” 

“Actually, yes.  I have lunch plans with Emmy, and then I’m working until closing.  Why?  What are you doing tonight?”

“Adam and I have plans, too.  How about tomorrow?”

“I’m off.  I thought I would do a little baking.  Want to come over?  You can help.  Maybe you can even meet my roommate, Auggie.  He’s dying to meet you.”

“I’d really like that.  Call me later.  I don’t think I could go the whole day without hearing your voice again.”  Under the table, he pokes me with his foot.  I run my foot up his calf and back down again.  All the while, our eyes are locked.  “I need another shower.  A cold shower.”  He stands and adjusts his shorts.  It makes me grin.

“That’s my cue, I’ve gotta go.  I’ll call.  Promise.”  Despite my appearance, Evan swaddles me in a tight embrace and kisses me.  I wrap my hands around his waist and kiss him more deeply.  I break apart from him, reluctantly, and walk out to my car.  I turn to look at him one more time, and he’s adjusting his shorts again.  I love what he does to me, but I think I love what I do to him even more.

E
mmy and I meet at Bubbakoo’s Burritos for lunch.  A lot has happened over the last few days that I can’t wait to share and get another girl’s perspective.  I tell her all about our sunset cruise and our morning jog.  Emmy is a good friend and a great listener.

“It’s so cool that we both have new boyfriends at the same time.  Maybe we can all go out together.”

“Seriously, Emmy?  I haven’t seen you in two days and you drop a secret surprise boyfriend on me?  Who is it?  How did this happen?”

“You kind of know him.  He’s blonde, twenty-seven years old, lives in Derek’s house.  Ring any bells?”

“Grant?  Is it Grant?  What the hell happened?”

“Remember Saturday when we all went to the movies?  Well, Grant and I have been texting back and forth since then.  I asked him to come over to help me replace a light switch, which just happened to be in my bedroom.”  She gives me a wink and a smile. 

“So, do you like him?  I mean really like him?  Does he make your toes curl?”  Her last boyfriend was kind of a dud in the chemistry department.

“Oh, yeah!  There was some serious toe curling, hip grinding and spit swapping.”  There’s not a shy bone in Emmy’s body and I’m more than a little jealous.

We decide to take our men out to meet, but the details will have to wait for now.  An hour later, and I’m home again getting ready for work.

I walk in to find Auggie in his favorite position, sitting at the kitchen island reading the news and gossip on his iPad.  “Come here, kitten, I found something for you.”  He invites me to sit with him as he flips through some web pages until he finds just the right one.

“What did you find, Aug?”  Now I’m curious.

“I’ve been thinking about the flower Evan gave you last night, so I looked up pink tulips and guess what it said?”

“I have no idea, just tell me.”

“Well, it says that pink tulips symbolize affection and caring.  This boy is good, Jette.” 

“What do you mean, he’s good?”

“See, red tulips are a declaration of love, and it’s way too soon for that.  Yellow tulips mean ‘I will love you forever’ and that’s too soon, too.  Purple symbolizes royalty and wealth.  Affection and caring is just right, don’t you think?”

“Auggie, you sound a lot like Goldilocks.  One flower was too weak, the other two were too strong, but the pink one was just right!”

“I’m just saying that I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he gave you a pink tulip.  Right?”

Actually, he’s not wrong.  If he’s correct, then Evan truly is a very thoughtful and resourceful man.

T
he bar is surprisingly packed tonight.  Emmy, Derek and I take our usual positions at the patio bar while tonight’s DJ rocks the house.  The bar is crowded with college students who like to dance and drink in equal amounts.  A middle-aged man who is clearly out of place and obviously trolling for young girls pays for his drink with a ten and tells me to keep the change.  Then he winks at me.  I just shake my head and walk away.

Now that Emmy is dating Derek’s roommate, all the flirting is directed towards me.  Derek is keeping a respectable distance from Emmy now and I think it’s sweet.  He and Grant are good friends and it’s nice to see that Derek respects those boundaries.

We keep pretty busy for most of the night.  I get to make a few new cocktails tonight and I even entertain the crowd with some well-orchestrated flips and turns.  Derek and I dance when the mood strikes and Emmy plays the prudish chaperone trying to keep us apart.  It’s a cute Vaudeville Act we choreograph on the fly.  The customers are eating it up and the tip jar is getting pretty full.

Sometime around midnight, the DJ announces a song dedicated to the pretty brunette bartender on the patio.  He goes on to say, “This one’s for you, Juliette.”  Immediately, I look over at Derek.

“Derek, did you do this?”

“Hell, no!  Listen to the song, it’s the classic stalker anthem.  Not my style, Jette.”

I stop for a moment to listen.  The DJ is playing the Police single “Every Breath You Take” and the lyrics are sending chills down my spine.  Sting is crooning about how he’s watching every move that I make.  I send Evan a text to check and see if it’s him.

I look around the bar but I don’t see anyone I know who could have done this. Immediately, my hands are clammy and I’m feeling nauseous. Why is this happening?  I ask Derek to speak to the DJ and find out who requested the song.  While I wait, I place my hands on the bar to steady myself and try to calm my breathing.

Before I can relax, he’s back.  “He said it was a male customer.  Gave him a $20 tip to play the song.  The bar’s too crowded to find the guy.  It’s probably nothing, Jette.  Has anyone given you a hard time tonight?”

“No, not tonight.  You’re probably right.  I’m sure it’s nothing.  Let’s get back behind the bar.”  We return to the bar where we left Emmy alone and she attacks.

“Thank God you’re back.  Here.”  She throws a bar towel at me.  “Grant just got here and I’m going to go say hello.  Cover for me.”  Emmy runs around the bar and leaps into his lap.  Her small frame flies gracefully through the air and Grant welcomes her with a grand embrace.  She plants kisses all over his face and he is beaming with delight.  They cuddle, kiss, and chat for a few minutes until Emmy rejoins us behind the bar.

“That was quite a show, Emmy.  It’s getting kind of late now.  You guys have plans after closing?”

“Oh, yeah.  We’re heading back to his place tonight.”  She elbows me in the side.  I guess I know what their plans are.

Grant stays until closing and the whole time, they cannot take their eyes off one another.  I wonder if that’s what it would be like for Evan and me.  I know I would have a difficult time concentrating if he were here with me. 

The four of us walk out together a little after two in the morning.  My car is parked on a side street a few blocks down the road.  The streets are well lit and very safe.  Derek insists I let him drive me to my car, just to be safe.  I’m actually a little relieved and I accept his offer.  I explain where my car is parked, and he takes me right to it.  He waits for me to get in and start the engine before he leaves.  Derek is really a good guy and I’m lucky to have such good friends.

As he’s pulling away, I notice a paper on my windshield.  I hope I didn’t get a parking ticket for being too close to a hydrant or something.  I step out, grab it, and quickly get back into my car.  It’s a note written in scratchy printing. 

M
y hands are shaking.  This is not right.  I need to get out of here.  I check my rearview mirrors and slowly pull out.  Just as I do, another car turns its lights on and pulls out behind me.  I hit the switch and lock my doors.  Then I turn off the radio.  I need to concentrate.  It may be nothing.  It may be something.  There’s only one way to find out.