Free The Running Series Complete Collection: 3-Book Set plus Bonus Novella by Suzanne Sweeney Page A

to my shoulders and I look up into his eyes.  He smiles and leans down, then kisses me gently on my forehead.  I close my eyes to shut out everything else around me to enjoy the sensation of his lips on my skin.  He sweeps the hair off my shoulder and whispers in my ear, “I’ll be in touch,” as he releases me and steps into the coffee shop.

    I get to work early for the lunch shift and begin filling the ice bins as Emmy joins me on the patio.  “Hey, Emmy, what’s new?” 
    “Not much.  Jason and I broke up.”  She shrugs her shoulders and goes about readying the bar for customers.  I don’t know much about her relationship with Jason, other than he was the brother of one of her teammates.  Emmy never said much about him.  I don’t even know how she felt about him.
    “Oh, Em, I’m so sorry!  Are you OK?”  I try to gauge her response.  She keeps filling the bar rack and going about her business.
    “Yeah, Jason’s a great guy and all, but there was something missing.  I don’t know how to explain it.  He’s super sweet, we got along great, and we always had fun together.  But, I don’t know...” she just trails off.  I know what she means.  There was no spark. 
    Despite the gloomy weather, we are pretty busy.  People-watching is one of the best parts of being a bartender.  Lots of people seem to be getting an early start on their weekend. 
    At one table, there’s an older, gray-haired very well dressed man with a much younger woman.  She’s wearing tons of bling and is showing off what appears to be a very expensive set of new boobs.  I never could really wrap my mind around that one.
    There’s also a young couple sitting at the bar that is obviously deeply in love.  Every time I glance over at them, they are touching.  I see him whispering in her ear, and she’s blushing.  They have a few drinks, order some food off the bar menu, and off they go. 
    My mind drifts to thoughts of Evan.  I can’t stop thinking about how his arms felt wrapped around my waist.  Then there was the kiss ... his lips pressed against my skin, it makes me quiver just thinking about it.
    “Emmy, can I ask you something?”  I’ve been dying to talk to someone about today’s misadventures and get her take on it.
    “Shoot.  What’s up?”  She’s cleaning some rocks glasses while we chat.
    “Well, this morning, I was running on the beach by Evan’s house and I’m pretty sure I saw him on his deck.  He ran back into the house before I had a chance to talk to him.  Then I ran into him at the coffee shop and he told me it wasn’t him.  How do I know if he’s telling me the truth?”  I give a heavy sigh and wait for her advice.
    “Hard to say.  How did he act when you ran into him at the coffee shop?  Did he avoid you?”
    “No, actually, he waited outside for me to come out.  He was really kind of cute about it.” I sighed at the memory of seeing him sitting there with Maddy waiting for me.
    “Jette, if he was trying to avoid you, do you honestly think he would have waited for you outside a coffee shop?  Seriously?”  Now she’s looking at me like I’ve got two heads.
    “I know, you’re right.  It’s just that when it comes to Evan, I can’t think clearly.  I want to believe him, but I don’t completely trust myself or him.  He’s got this pull on me I can’t explain.”
    “Oh, honey, I know exactly what you mean.  That’s what was missing from my relationship with Jason.  It’s called chemistry and either it’s there or it’s not.  Sounds like you’ve got it bad.”  Emmy is right.  “When are you going to see him again?”
    “Not until Sunday.  He invited me over for dinner.  I think he’s going to cook for me.”  A huge grin spreads across my face.  I can’t hide my delight at the thought of spending more time with Evan.
    “We have to celebrate.  I’m going to Derek’s tonight.  Why don’t you join me?  He’s having a party.  It’s