Running Back to You (The Running Series, #1) by Suzanne Sweeney Page A

sunshine, happiness,
and hope.’
    “Don’t say a word.  I am not going to get all emotionally tied up in
knots about what Evan may or may not have meant.  It probably means nothing at
all, and I’m just over thinking things, as usual.”  Auggie opens his mouth to
say something, but I interrupt him. “I mean it, Auggie.  This conversation is
over and I’m done.”

    A uggie heads out to meet with some clients and I fix myself something to
eat, and then shower to get ready for my day.  I have a few errands to run and
I want to clear my mind.  Emmy calls and we make plans to go to the mall
together.
    Emmy picks me up and we head off for Freehold Mall.  She’s great company
and I really enjoy being around her. 
    “So, Jette, tell me about Evan.  What’s he like?”
    My mind drifts to the morning we spent together yesterday.  Evan was sweet,
charming, and playful.  He has a gentle way about him that’s enchanting. 
Memories of him running along the beach, moving with such grace and ease, make
me tingle.  I could not erase the image of him taking my hand, placing his lips
on it, and looking directly into my eyes; the hypnotic vision of his devilish
grin accented by a pair of remarkable dimples; the spark that ran through my
body when we touched.
    “Oh, Em, he’s perfect.  Too perfect.  He’s got the bluest eyes I’ve ever
seen.  Strong arms, washboard abs, chocolate brown hair.  Dreamy.”  I sigh
aloud.
    “So when are you going to see him again?”
    My mind is made up and the decision is surprisingly simple.  “I’m not.”
    “Yeah, you’re right.  He sounds like a real loser.”  Emmy is shaking her
head trying to make sense of my last declaration.  “So, just to sum things up,
he’s attractive, kind, wealthy, and he makes you tingle in all the right
places.  Am I right?”  She’s tapping her finger on the steering wheel,
obviously losing patience with my thought process.
    “I suppose.”
    “Then what’s the problem?”
    Exasperation hits me as I try to explain.  “He’s not a long-term
relationship kind of guy.  The way he flirts, it’s obvious he knows how he
affects women.  He probably has a different girl in his bed every night.”  The
words, once spoken aloud, seem to cement in my mind.  All kinds of beautiful
women must present themselves to him on a regular basis.  He’s got money and
with that comes opportunity; all the glamorous places he must see as he travels
with the football team; living in hotel rooms; drifting migrantly across the
country surely means having a different girl in every town.  “I have no
intention of having a one-night stand with any man, not even Evan.”
    “You know what, Jette?  You surprise me.  I thought you were cool.  I
didn’t think you were the type to prejudge people and write them off without
giving them a chance.” 
    Emmy is right.  I usually don’t judge people.  In fact, I’ve seen what
effect that can have on someone.  Auggie is the perfect example.  People judge
him all the time.  They think that because he’s gay, he must be promiscuous. 
Nothing could be further from the truth. 
    “Do you think I’m wrong?” I ask her.
    “The fact is Jette, neither one of us know if you’re right or wrong.  I
think that if you run into this boy again, you should give him the benefit of
the doubt.  Give him a chance.”
    The only word that comes to my mind is, “Maybe.”  I sweep my hair back
off my face and rub my temple, trying to erase the images floating through my
mind.  “Maybe.”
    After that, the conversation takes a lighter turn as we make our way
through the mall.  There’s not too many people shopping today.  It’s a weekday
and most people have jobs and busy lives.  We make our way through Sur La Table
where I get some cupcake sleeves and pastry bags.  Emmy is holding a bag full
of makeup from Sephora.  I introduce Emmy to Lush where they have the most
delicious hand-made soaps.  I even