“Let me be melodramatic for a minute, you’re taking away my lattes.”
He shakes his head. “What is a snack pouch?”
“My belly.” Sighing, I pat my stomach. “At least, this will help me get a nice bod.”
“You already have a nice body.”
What?I don’t look at him. I don’t even know how to look at him right now. He thinks I have a nice body? It’s not as if he hasn’t seen parts of me. We’ve been to the beach together. Though I’m more the full coverage tankini with a coverup type than the sexy swimsuit clad girls who seem to appear just to flirt with Garrett or Anker.
“I…” he coughs and shifts on the sofa beside me. “My suggestions aren’t about me wanting you to change how you look, it’s about keeping you healthy… Keeping you around for a long time.”
I really don’t know how to look at him, so I keep my gaze forward. Somehow this feels more meaningful than just him liking my body.
Don’t be stupid.I shake off that thought. Of course, he worries about my health. For a man who’s had a big loss, it’s understandable that he’s extra sensitive about doing what he can to keep the people in his life safe. That includes making them eat their veggies, and browbeating them into an only one-a-day latte habit.
Twisting toward him, I meet his gaze. “Can I have two lattes on special occasion days?”
“You can have whatever you want. These are just suggestions. I’m not in charge.” He gestures at himself.
“But you are my guide.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m in charge. This is a team. A partnership.” He pats my arm.
For the first time, this doesn’t seem like he’s doing me a favor, or being a good friend to Anker. We’re in this together. Each of us is running this for our own reasons. I know mine, but what are his?
“Why are you being my guide?” I fiddle with my sleeve.
“Because that’s what friends do.”
“This goes beyond just wanting to be a better friend. Why? What do you get out of this?”
“Real friends do,” he murmurs.
Besides Catherine, I’ve not had a real friend. One that doesn’t have an angle. One that won’t just leave me behind. I, especially, haven’t had a male friend that fits that bill. If I’m going to do this—not just train with Garrett but have a second chance at a real friendship—I need to be open to the possibility that he may be a real friend.
“You’re right.” I nod. “Here’s to real friends.” I raise my mug in a toasting gesture.
Grinning, he taps his mug against mine. “Friends.”
8
MILE EIGHT
LET ME TAKE YOU TO DINNER
Sweet relief.Arms stretched over my head, I arch my back and let out a contented sigh. The action eases the tense muscles in my back. It’s not just the stiffness from sitting in front of my computer for the last two hours, but the quiet groans of my body thanks to two mornings in a row of pre-dawn runs on the treadmill.
Before Garrett left on Sunday, he oriented me to the treadmill. He even figured out that it’s a newer model that offers audible instruction and showed me how to access that. I’m grateful, but right now the ache in my calves hates him for it. Although, my body may be even more angry after our first training session this evening.
Sighing, I tap on my keyboard. It’s just after eleven, and my morning has been consumed by drafting this grant application. If it’s approved, it will allow me to establish an access technology center on campus. The project has been a dream since I attended Pemberly University for undergrad. Technology is a game-changer for so many disabled people. It opens up entire experiences once denied to us.
This costs money, though. As a private university, there are limited resources for disability services. At least that’s whatthe administration claims each year when my boss submits our department’s budget. In my experience, the needs of disabled people are often an afterthought in most spaces. This grant will supplement our small budget to build a center beyond the two computers in our department’s waiting area and the lone volunteer who does workshops every few months.
“Hey, my diva,” Catherine announces in her sing-song lilt.
“Hey, my queen!” Grinning, I pull out the earbud I use to listen to my computer’s screen reader while working.
“I’ve got treats!” She shakes something in front of her.
