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“If it helps, I’ve never heard you talk about anyone the way you talk about Lydia.”
Luke flopped back on the couch as Jules walked away. He still had no idea what to do. Did he risk their professional relationship? Did he ask her for more? He needed a sign from the universe.
“Lucas!” Dara’s voice echoed down the hall. “Lydia is here!”
Luke jumped to his feet, hurrying out to meet her before Dara could start spouting off words likegirlfriendin front of Lydia. He smiled, perhaps too wide, but he worried she might be able to see the longing in his face if he didn’t. “Ready?”
Lydia matched his smile. “Absolutely not. But let’s do this.”
“You’re usually a little more enthusiastic,” Luke said, leading her outside.
“Something about fifteen miles feels daunting,” Lydia said as they warmed up.
Luke couldn’t help but think that she’d found the perfect word to describe how he felt. This thing between them felt daunting. But he wasn’t supposed to be thinking about that.
“I mean, I made it this far, so I can’t just go back, but there’s still an awfully long way to go.”
Her words twisted the feelings inside him. He cleared his throat. “We don’t have to think about all those miles today. We just focus on this run. On taking the next—”
“Step,” Lydia cut in, rolling her eyes with a smile. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m gonna put that on a T-shirt for you.”
“It’s excellent advice.” They set off together, and Luke led her toward the East River Greenway, entering at 34th Street so they could run along the waterfront. “How’s your sister taking to married life?”
“Great,” Lydia said. “Ash and Kurt just left on a spur-of-the-moment honeymoon and I had to call and tell my parents about it all.”
“Well, you’re still alive, so I take it your mother has come to terms with the decision?”
“She kept saying she was going to pass out while we were on the phone.” Lydia made an amused sound. “My dad thinks it’s great. Says it’s gonna save him tons of money.”
“I suppose that’s one way to look at it,” Luke said. It was a cloudless day, the sky a vivid blue, while the water of the East River sparkled under the sun’s reflection. In the distance he could just make out the Williamsburg Bridge. They fell into a comfortable silence, his world narrowing to the sounds of Lydia’s breathing, the length of her stride and her mile pace as they ran through the swerving, greenery-filled pathways of Stuyvesant Cove Park.
“I can’t believe we haven’t run through here before,” Lydia said as the path widened. She’d come so far since that first run where she could barely keep her breathing under control, never mind carry on an entire conversation. They were joined by other runners and cyclists and weekend waterfront strollers as they entered the East River Promenade. It was filled with green spaces, benches and trees.
“What?” he teased. “Were you getting sick of running around the gym?”
“I mean, I think I trip over the same curb every time we circle the block. You have to admit thisisa nice change.”
“I’m just kidding,” he said. “You’re right. You can’t beat running along the waterfront. I was actually trying to save this stretch for when the trees started to change colors. We’re a little early for that still, but we’ll come back another weekend.”
Lydia shot him a surprised look.
“What?”
“I didn’t know you put that much thought into these runs.”
“What do you mean?”
“Like you considered when the leaves would change just so that we’d get to run beside all the pretty fall colors. That’s really...thoughtful, I guess.”
Luke didn’t know if he was supposed to chuckle at that, but he couldn’t help himself. “Do I not seem like the thoughtful type?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“You seem to be saying a lot ofsomethingwithout knowing what you mean.”
Her cheeks flushed, the rosy color of exertion darkening.
Lydia cleared her throat. “It’s nice,” she said finally. “That you put that much thought and time into planning these runs. That you care enough—”
