The Running Series Complete Collection: 3-Book Set plus Bonus Novella (52 page)

Unable and unwilling to hold back any longer, I eagerly climb onto Evan’s lap.  I cup his nape while doing one of my favorite things in the world, running my fingers through his thick, silky hair.  I whisper in his ear, “Let’s go to bed.  Doctor’s orders.” 

Evan moans lightly, pulling me closer, and replies, “You don’t have to ask me twice.”

Head Over Heels

S
aturday morning arrives.  It’s been exactly one week since Averee’s nuclear explosion.  Evan hasn’t spoken of her at all since that night.  Once he told his story to the police for the final time that was it.  The book was closed.

We have a big day ahead of us, so we start our day early with the sunrise.  I don’t think I’ll ever get used to waking up and walking fifty feet to the beach.  Today’s run starts at five thirty in the morning.  Evan’s not to be deterred from his exercise routine, and I’m more than happy to be a supporting part of that.

Our run is punctuated by a communal shower and breakfast.  We return to our favorite breakfast nook for a hearty meal.  Evan and I both order an omelet, although he adds bacon, sausage and hash browns on the side.  How he can eat like that and still look the way he does amazes me.

After a quick run to the grocery store on our way home, we begin getting ready for the party.  Evan is in charge of the savory dishes while I’m in charge of the sweet.  Our parents are bringing most of the side dishes.  I plan to prepare two desserts.  The first is a tray of chocolate dipped strawberries with mascarpone filling.  Because of Auggie’s affection for my cake pops, I’ve also decided to make some cheesecake cake pops with a cherry center.  My last contribution will be a cool and refreshing beverage, utilizing my newfound passion for cocktail creations. 

I decide to start with the easiest first – mint leaf ice cubes for our cocktails.  All it requires is fresh mint, boiling water, and ice cube trays.  Every few hours, I’ll empty the tray and refill it with a fresh batch.  By tonight, I hope to have dozens of mint cubes for our refreshments.

As I begin my mise-en-place, Evan sets to making the marinade for our steaks.  “That was a great breakfast,” Evan says as he gathers his ingredients.  “They have the best breakfast sausage I’ve ever tasted.”  He tries to suppress a burp, but fails miserably.  Rather than a deep belch, he produces something akin to a muffled sneeze. 

“Seriously?  You call that a burp?  My college roommate could do a better job than that!” I chastise him.

“Hey, I was just trying to be polite.  But if you want me to let some bodily functions fly, just say the word.  I’ve been holding back since you moved in.” 

“Listen, chief, we’ve lived in the same house and slept in the same bed for a week now.  You may be able to control yourself when you’re awake, but while you’re asleep ...  let’s just say that Maddy has gotten up and left the room on more than one occasion, and it wasn’t because she wanted to stretch her legs.”

Evan sweeps me up into his arms and twists me around so we’re eye-to-eye.  “I’m not the only one who farts in their sleep, in case you were wondering.”

He trails kisses and love bites down my neck, trying to distract me from his last declaration.  I push him off me and look directly into his eyes, “I most certainly do not!” I pronounce emphatically.

“I was talking about Maddy.  But it’s good to know that I have found the only living human being on Earth incapable of flatulence.  Should we call Guinness now or after the party?” 

Evan and I spend the rest of the day getting everything in order. Outside, it’s a beautiful crisp day in April.  The air is warming and the sun is shining brightly.  Away from the beach, the leaves are now fully formed on the trees, removing the final vestiges of a long winter.  Our pear tree has found a permanent home in Evan’s front yard among the brightly colored flowers and bushes lining the property.  The beautifully landscaped grounds offered us several location choices.  Evan insisted it be placed right beside the front door as a constant reminder that this home now belongs to the pair of us. 

Evan appears in the kitchen to help, freshly showered and ready.  I love the way he smells.  His pheromones awaken something deep within me.  He’s wearing a Black Sabbath concert tee today.  As usual, his muscular arms stretch the shirt to its limits, highlighting each ripple and curve.  His new Diesel jeans that hang low on his hips and OluKai leather flip-flops complete his casual look.  When he comes near, I cannot resist slipping my hand under his shirt just to steal a moment of his skin against mine.

Just as I’m about to devour him, Evan’s phone rings.  His sister Callie calls to let us know that she is almost here.  I set up the mini-bar on the deck and stock it with a pitcher of fresh made Strawberry Lemonade Sparkler and a full ice bucket.  Evan lights the grill, and we’re ready to meet and greet our guests.

When Callie arrives, Regan is sound asleep.  It’s her naptime and while I may not have any nieces and nephews of my own, I know that it’s a terrible idea to interrupt a toddler’s nap.  We clear a spot on the bed in the guest room, and Callie stations herself in the house, waiting for her daughter to rouse from her sleep.  Dean and Evan make themselves comfortable outside, popping open a few Coronas and manning the grill.

Next to arrive are Marcus and Camilla, followed closely by Adam.  As is customary, the boys find themselves gathered outside by the grill as the women join ranks in the kitchen.  I ask Camilla how Marcus is making out in his job search.

“Marcus had another job interview yesterday.  He got a job offer and he thinks he’s going to accept,” she gleefully explains.

“That’s great!  Where is it?  What will he be doing?” I ask.

“I’m not sure exactly where it is, but it’s a new restaurant with a bar and he’s been offered the manager’s job.  He just has to meet with the other owner before anything is definite.”  She seems extremely happy about the prospect, almost giddy.  I hope it’s a good opportunity.

As we’re chatting, Emmy arrives and comes gliding into the kitchen, looking divine.  She’s added a thick deep raspberry accent color to the entire left side of her hair, framing her delicate face beautifully.  Her hair is pulled back, leaving long blonde strands hanging along the nape of her neck.  She’s wearing a strapless black chiffon top with a ruffle and a pair of skinny jeans.  

“Emmy, I love what you did with your hair.  It’s adorable,” I fuss over her.  “Where’s Grant?” I ask.  She’s here alone.  I haven’t seen her with her boyfriend in almost two weeks.

“Gone.  He got transferred to Seattle.  He left yesterday.”

“No one told me.  Oh, Emmy, I’m so sorry.  How are you?”

“It’s OK, really.  We haven’t been spending much time together.  I’ve been so busy, helping to find ... I mean hoping to find a job.”  She really does seem all right, happy even.  “It was time for a change.  I thought I would start with my hair.”

“Well, I love it!  Can I get you a drink?  I made a special pitcher of Strawberry Lemonade Sparkler.  Care to try some?”

“Jette, your cocktails are always out of this world.  I’d love to try one.  What’s in it?”

“Strawberry vodka, fresh squeezed lemon juice, Prosecco and some simple syrup.  I top it off with some mint cubes.  Come on outside.  Everything is out there at the minibar.”  I lead the way, and the girls follow. 

I line up the glasses, drop a few cubes in each, and then begin pouring our drinks.  I top each with a sprig of mint and lemon rind.  As I’m about to hand out the drinks to the girls, I hear a familiar voice, “do you have enough for one more?”

“Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!”I squeal.  It’s Reese.  I’d know her voice anywhere.  I grab a hold of her and squeeze with all I’ve got.  “I can’t believe you’re here!”

“Well, when some rich and famous football player called me personally saying how much he’d like to buy me a plane ticket, I was in no position to turn him down.” 

Reese looks as beautiful as ever.  I have always been envious of her long wavy red hair and big hazel eyes.  She’s got a flawless complexion, high cheekbones, and a smile that is contagious.  She lights up any room with her bubbly personality.

Evan walks over to me and wraps his strong arms around me.  “Are you surprised?”

“Baby, I love you so much!  You’re the best.  But how did you pull this off?”

“You have her number programmed into your phone.  I just had to wait for you to leave the room, and I got it.  You really should put a pass code on your phone, by the way.”  He leans down and plants a soft kiss on my lips.

“But how did you get here?” I ask Reese.

She points to the cabana, and sitting comfortably with a glass of red wine is my favorite person in the world, Auggie, joined by Brandon sitting right next to him.  Auggie raises his glass to me and walks over to us.

“I know you thought I was in Baltimore with Brandon, but the truth is, we’ve been playing chauffer and host for the past few days.”  Auggie picked her up days ago?  What have they been doing all this time?

“Reese, how long have you been here?  Why didn’t you come right over?  We could have spent more time together.”

Evan interrupts, “That’s my fault.  I wanted it to be a surprise.”  His devilish grin appears, in full dimple mode.  How can I argue with that gorgeous face?

“Well, it’s the best surprise.  I had no idea!  Reese, tell me.  How did you get off work?  You’ve only been working for a couple of months.  They let you take a week off already?”

“I resigned.  I found a new job.  I’m going to be the head chef at a new theme restaurant.  It’s not open yet, and I’ll be able to work with the owners from the ground up.  How cool is that?”

“Oh, Reese, I’m so happy for you!  Promise me I’ll get an invite to your Grand Opening.  I want to be your very first customer.”

“You can count on it.”  She is positively beaming.  I’d love to find out more, but it’s time for me to play hostess again.

Right on time, the rest of our guests arrive.  Derek greets us with a bottle of Merlot, which he hands off to Evan.  They shake hands and Derek joins the others out on the deck.

Evan’s parents arrive, too, followed shortly by my mother.  I make the necessary introductions and our parents seem to hit it off immediately.  Evan’s father excuses himself to the deck to find Dean and Adam while my mother and Jill make themselves comfortable in the house keeping Callie company while she waits for Regan to wake from her nap.

“Baby, come here, please.  I could use your help.”  Evan is done grilling, and it’s time to put all the food out.  It’s still hard for him to carry things with his right hand, and we certainly don’t want him to drop the food he just worked so hard to prepare.  I clear off the island in the kitchen and start putting out all the food. 

There’s more than enough food to feed an army.  My mother brought her famous potato salad, Evan’s mother prepared an antipasto, and Callie made a fresh tossed salad.  Everything looks and smells mouth-wateringly good.

Evan and I make sure that all our guests are fed before we prepare plates for ourselves.  Before we leave the kitchen, Evan looks around and speaks privately to me, making sure no one can hear our conversation.  “Juliette, before we go out there, could you do something for me?”

“Sweetheart, I would do anything in the world for you.  Just name it.”

“Could you cut up my steak for me?  I don’t want anyone to see that my grip isn’t strong enough to use a knife yet.” 

“Oh, baby, I’m so sorry.  I should have realized.”  I give him a big kiss, and then slice his steak into man-sized pieces.  It breaks my heart to see him so helpless.  “Ready?”

“Ready.  Please don’t say anything to my parents.  They don’t need to know about this right now.  Promise?”  I wish he would tell them, but I respect his wishes.  For now.

“I promise.  Now it’s time for us to enjoy ourselves.  Come on, chief, let’s go.”

“Lead the way, running girl!”

We step outside and find a few seats out on the deck with our friends.  They all seem to be getting along well and enjoying themselves.  Emmy compliments Evan on his grilling.  “You’ll have to give me the recipe for your marinade.  These steaks are to die for!”

Evan has his arm resting on my back, unconsciously tracing circles and figure eights on my skin.  The neckline is just deep enough in the back that he can maintain that skin-to-skin contact that we both seem to need.  I turn and whisper in his ear, “Is it me, or does it look like Reese is flirting with Derek?”

Just as Evan looks over towards them, Reese is giggling at something witty Derek just said and is touching his arm.  She slowly removes her hand and flips her hair back.  “Sure does look like it to me,” he quickly responds.

“I don’t like it,” I confess.

“Why not?  They’re both adults.  Neither of them is in a relationship.  I don’t see what the problem is.”  Evan sounds slightly annoyed with me.

“Reese is only here for a few days.  I don’t want to see Derek get hurt, that’s all.”  I’ve already done enough of that.

“Oh.  Yeah, well, let’s just see what happens.  There’s no harm in some playful flirting now, is there?” Evan reminds me.