Page 16 of Unsuitable

Decision made, I push to my feet and grab my old running shorts, tank top, and trainers from the wardrobe. I get my old iPod and earphones. Putting the earphones in, I put the iPod in the pocket of the shorts.

I let myself out of my silent apartment and out of the building. The air is cool and crisp. The street is quiet.

I push my key into my pocket and get my music going. The sound of Christina Aguilera’s “Fighter” fills my ears.

Ready to burn off this unspent energy, I take off, starting in a slow jog, onto the main street. Then, I quickly pick up pace. I make note of where I’m going and the street names, not knowing this area very well. I don’t want to get lost and be late to work on my first day.

The freedom to run outside doesn’t go unnoticed by me. I relish the feel of the cold breeze whipping on my face and at my legs. I take in the sight of people setting off for work early.

I’m back in the real world. And it feels good. Damn good.

I run for an hour, feeling like I could run for another, but I need to get back to have breakfast and get ready for work.

When I let myself in the apartment, I hear the TV on in the kitchen.

Cece must be up.

“Hey.” I smile, seeing her sitting at the table, nursing a cup of coffee.

She smiles. “Coffee’s in the pot,” she tells me.

I grab a glass first and fill it with cold water from the tap before downing it.

“You go for a run?” Cece asks, eyeing my trainers.

Nodding, I lean back against the counter.

“The Daisy I knew would have broken out in a rash at the thought of going for a run.” She gives a cheeky grin.

“The old Daisy is gone,” I tell her, putting down the glass. I turn and get a cup from the cupboard. I pour myself a coffee before adding milk to it that I got from the fridge.

“I kinda liked the old Daisy,” Cece says softly.

I take a seat across from her. “The old Daisy was weak and gullible.” My tone is harsher than I meant it to be.

Cece’s eyes darken. “You were never weak or gullible. You’re the smartest, strongest, bravest person I’ve ever known.”

I let out a sharp laugh before I take a sip of my coffee. “I was never smart, Ce. If I had been, then I wouldn’t have fallen for Jason’s bullshit.”

“I hate what that bastard has done to you.”

“Did. And it’ll never happen again.”

“’Cause you’re Lara Croft now?”

Cece grins, and I can’t help but smile.

“No,” I say, forcing the smile from my face. “Because I learned my lesson. I won’t make the same mistake twice.”

“And the running?”

“It makes me feel better. Exercise isn’t a bad thing; it’s actually a good thing, you know.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” She grimaces.

Laughing, I shake my head at her.

After having some breakfast, I head off to take a shower and get ready for my new job.