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There’s an edge to Adam’s voice, like he might be judging me for not liking his dog. The one who hasn’t stopped barking at me since I stepped foot on the property. The one who muddied my entire front room. The one who, literally, has RBF.
“Thank you. I like her sweater.” It’s true. I do like the dog’s sweater, even if I’m not crazy about the dog.
Adam grunts, opens the door, and steps outside before I can.
I take a deep breath and whisper, “a smile’s worth a thousand words,” to myself, even though it’s my grandmother’s voice I hear in my head. Then I put on a smile and open the door.
Adam walks to the driveway and leans against his truck to do hamstring stretches. His breath comes out in wispy clouds, and the cold,nothis calf muscles or triceps, sends goosebumps up my arms.
I walk past him, and in my most cordial voice, say, “have a good run.” I let my smile do all the talking. I smile so wide it’s got to be worth at least ten thousand words.
Adam answers with a grunt and keeps stretching. I should stretch too, but I’d rather get a head start on my run. The paved bike path starts a block from my condo and follows the west side of the lake. There’s no way we won’t be running in the same direction if we both take the path. I don’t want to follow him, or worse, make him think I want to run with him.
So I skip stretching. Besides, it’s only three miles. That’s nothing. I’m a long-distance runner.
I shut the door, smiling through the barking that’s started up again. I pop in my AirPods, pull my beanie a little lower and start my playlist. Axl Rose growls into my ears as I start down the paved trail. I don’t look at Adam, but it’s harder not to think about the way he rasped into the mic last night.
I follow the path towards Smuk Lake. It curves to the left, paralleling the water as the sun comes up over the rolling mountains to the east. A soft yellow outlines their smooth curves, pressing against the dark clouds overhead. The effect is a spectrum of bright yellows to deep oranges that reflect off the water, filling the world with a warmth that makes me forget how cold it actually is outside.
I pause my music and stop to take a picture of the sunrise. Grandma Rose’s is right on the lake, so I’ll want to incorporate colors that will complement the rising sun. Especially since we’re adding large windows that will showcase it.
My phone makes a shutter-click sound with each picture I take, but then I realize there’s another tapping kind of sound. I look behind me and see Adam not far behind on the path. He catches my eye and slows. His face is red, and I’m not sure if it’s from the exertion of the run or embarrassment that I might think he’s purposely running behind me.
Which gives me an idea for a little payback for his grouchiness this morning. And for his dog running wild in my house. And... there’s more. I’ve known him twenty-four hours, and I’ve got a running list of all the ways he’s annoyed me.
I pull an AirPod out of my ear and taunt him. “Are you following me?”
Adam’s face grows redder, and it’s not from the running. He slows to a stop in front of me. “I didn’t have much choice. Not really any other running paths to choose from.” He’s not overly talkative, but he’s also not rude, which is an improvement. Maybe teasing is the way to crack open his dark heart and let some light in.
His sunglasses reflect the sunrise, and his chest rises and falls with each breath he takes. I can’t tell if he’s looking directly at me until his face softens. Then I know he’s looking at the sunrise, and I decide teasing isn’t what will ungrinch his heart.
“Is the sunrise always this beautiful?” I ask, trying to get a sense of what’s happening behind those sunglasses.
I feel his eyes return to mine—I think. For a second, his expression goes soft. But only for a second. Then his mouth goes tight again, and he shakes his head. “Only when there aren’t people camped all over the shore here.”
I scrunch my face before I can stop myself. But it makes no sense. “How does that make a difference?” I ask. “The sun, the clouds, and the lake are all still here. Are you saying they refuse to put on a show if the crowds are too big?”
Adam’s lip twitches. With a smile? With annoyance? I can’t tell. I don’t know if Adam is capable of smiling. If he can, I haven’t seen it yet. Is it like his mysterious Smuk Lake sunrise, only blanketing the earth with color when there aren’t people around to enjoy it?
Whatever his mouth was about to do, he stops it by running his tongue along his bottom lip. Then he tugs at his lip with his teeth. All I can do is stare while a tingling sensation rolls down my body, head to foot. And I don’t care if I never see him smile as long as I can watch him dothatagain. And again. And again.
“I’m going to go.” Adam nods his head to the trail. “So you don’t think I’m ‘following’ you.” He uses air quotes, which is irritating enough to make me reconsider wanting to see him chew on his lip again. Almost.
He takes off before I have a chance to say anything. I watch him for a few seconds before running my hand down my braid and tossing it over my shoulder. He’s running at a pretty good clip. For someone who obviously didn’t go to college on a cross-country scholarship. And sure, Savannah College of Art and Design isn’t known for its cross-country team, but Kansas State is, and they offered me a scholarship too. I just wanted to go somewhere further than my backyard for college, so I ran for SCAD.
I follow Adam for a minute or two, enjoying the view. Adam’s backside in shorts and a bicep-hugging, long-sleeve T is almost as glorious as the sunrise. So good that I almost hate to leave him in the dust. But I don’t really see any other option if I’m going to put him in his place. Which, obviously, will have to be behind me.
Georgia told me I’d need his help. That’s fine. But he’s not going to think that Iwanthis help. Or that he’s going to intimidate me with all his frowns, growls, and scowls. (Maybe that’s what his restaurant should be called: Frowns, Growls, and Scowls). If he thinks he can outrun me on this trail or anywhere else, he’s dead wrong.
Nope. When I’m determined to do something, I will do that thing. I don’t care how grouchy or rude Adam Thomsen is, I WILL kill him.
With kindness, obviously...
Probably.
Chapter 10
Adam
