Giana:You don’t need to worry. My trouble is firmly sticking to my hometown.
Me:Good. I’d hate to meet you in cuffs… or maybe not.
Giana:That could be a good time. What is your criteria to meet someone off this app? I’m new to town. I don’t really have a village to make sure I’m safe. Can I be safe with you, officer?
Me:Yes ma’am. I’m as safe as they come.
Giana:We’ll see about that. Talk to you tomorrow, officer. >
Fuck. What is it about the nicknameofficerthat gets me? First, Sophia, now this girl? If I didn’t know any better…
No. Can’t be her. She’d know who I was, and she would have told me last night. Wouldn’t she?
I haven’t seen Sophia in four days. I’ve stopped myself from barging into her house each day after work. Usually I see her on my run, but it’s almost like she’s avoiding me.
But not today. Today, about twenty feet in front of me, her long ponytail swings, brushing the top of that perfectly plump, peachy ass.
Picking up my pace, I sprint to catch her.
“Hey there.” I lightly tap her shoulder.
The scream she lets out makes me cover my ears and back away from her. That scream wasn’t just ayou-startled-mescream, it was a terrified, blood-curdling scream.
She clutches her chest, her breath coming out in heavy pants as she squats down, tucking her head between her knees.
Dropping down next to her, I grasp her shoulders. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry, Sophia. I didn’t know you would scare that easily.”
“Ex. Used. To scare. Me. For fun,” she says between breaths.
“Sit back.” I angle myself behind her so she can sit between my legs and lay back on my chest. “Do you need water? What can I do?”
Fuck.I feel so bad.
“Please.” She holds out her hand, and I pull the straw from my backpack, bringing it right to her mouth. She gulps down a few sips. “Thank you.”
“Better?”
She nods.
“I’m so sorry. I feel like such an ass. I was just trying to catch up to you because I haven’t seen you since…”
“You kissed me?” She stands, and I follow her movements.
“Yeah. That night.”
“And you’re avoiding me because you want to do it again.” She grins.
“Shut up.” I knock her with my shoulder as we walk down the path. “Are you good now?”
“I’m good, promise. Don’t stress about it. I’m a little scaredy cat. My ex thought it was fun to scare the shit out of me, and then… he just scared me.”
I notice the hesitation in her voice. I’d be willing to bet that’s not the full story. And that makes me feel even worse.
“Is that all he did?”
“Race you to the beach!” She takes off running without answering my question.
I take off running after her. If she wants the physical exertion to forget the pain, I’m with her. Since the accident, I’ve pushed myself harder than I ever have before. I’m in the best shape of my life because of it.
