I wonder if Julie sees the irony here—Candice’s husband, Brad, has a much more significant weight problem than Candice does.
“Anyway, it’s a needle, but Candice says it really isn’tbad. I can get you the doctor’s name if you like, he might do virtual assessments.”
My eyes widen as Julie’s meaning sinks in. She’s suggesting I try Ozempic.
“No thanks, Julie,” I say, my voice falsely bright. “And I really do need to get going.”
I escape to my car and drive back through my old neighborhood, feeling lower than I have in a long time. I should be happy to have a weekend to myself, but instead, I wonder how I’ll fill the time. And I wonder if Troy will be able to unplug from work long enough to give the kids some attention, or if he’ll expect Olivia to entertain them for the whole weekend.
I’m almost at the highway when I spot a burger joint and decide my immediate problem is that I need a cheeseburger. All I’ve had to eat today is a boiled egg for breakfast and a salad for lunch, so it’s hardly surprising I’m hungry. And when the cashier asks if I want to make it a combo with fries, I can’t say no. The Coke’s diet, of course, so at least there’s that.
I find a table in a corner, and since I’m eating alone, I can devote my entire attention to my dinner. The food’s delicious, and I savor every bite. And when I get back on the road to head back to Somerset, I feel significantly better.
SIXTEEN
MELISSA
After the cheat meal, I’m nervous to step on the scale the next morning, but I’m still down two pounds from when I started my diet last week. Most of it’s probably water weight, but I’ll take it.
But when I get dressed to run with Sophie, it’s clear I still have a ways to go. Before the divorce, my blue workout top was always loose, but it’s definitely snug in the chest now. It’s still loose in the waist, though, and it hides the fact that my running shorts give me a muffin top, so it’ll have to do.
I drive downtown and find a parking spot a block from Roadrunner, the running store that organizes the group. There are about thirty runners milling around the park across the street from the store, and they seem to have sorted themselves by running ability. On one side, the hard-core runners are going through what looks like a pretty serious stretching routine. They’re greyhound lean and dressed in black spandex, with special belts to hold their water bottles and energy gels.
On the other side, there appears to be a beginnergroup. They’re also decked out in water bottle belts and spandex, but for some reason, their spandex is mostly brightly colored. I bet Roadrunner made bank out of selling the fancy gear, and it explains why they bother to run the club for free. The beginners are also very focused on stretching, but they look a little intimidated.
The rest of the runners look casually athletic, and interestingly enough, very few of them are wearing spandex. They’re chatting in little groups and doing some half-hearted stretching, and I spot Sophie’s red hair right away.
Unfortunately, I also spot Luke Carlton, standing about twenty feet away in a group of casual athletes. He’s wearing an old Somerset University T-shirt that picks out the green in his eyes, and my heart skips a beat. I find myself imagining how he’d look in spandex running tights instead of baggy athletic shorts.
Call me pathetic, but ever since Luke came over on Wednesday, I’ve been hoping to run into him again—just not here, when I’m about to run for the first time in a year.
I’m tempted to turn around. I could text Sophie with some excuse, like I’m feeling sick, or my workout clothes are too tight. Both excuses are actually true; the thought of Luke seeing me run is making me queasy.
But there’s no reason for him to see me run. I’ll be running with the beginners, and I’m sure he’ll be with one of the faster groups.
And Sophie’s spotted me, and she’s walking over. “Hey, Melissa,” she says brightly. “I’m glad you could make it.”
“Of course,” I say, with feigned enthusiasm. “I didn’t realize there’d be so many people.”
“Yeah, but we’ll split up into groups,” Sophie says reassuringly.
“And you really don’t mind running with the beginners?” I ask, feeling guilty about holding her back.
“Not at all. After the week I’ve had, the last thing I need is a hard run.”
My gaze strays to Luke again, and I catch him staring at me. As soon as I meet his eye, he looks away.
Sophie follows my gaze and shrugs apologetically. “I forgot Luke comes to this sometimes. He runs with the intermediate group, though, so you’ll hardly see him.”
“It’s fine,” I lie. “We’re over all the awkwardness. I’m just grateful he took care of Claire.”
Sophie shrugs. “In that case, I’d suggest we go say hi, but he’s fraternizing with the devil.”
I cut a glance at the two guys standing with Luke, who are both tall, fit, and painfully good-looking. “Which one’s the devil?” I ask curiously. “The dark-haired one?” He’s about an inch taller than the others, with rugged features and a serious expression.
Sophie scowls. “No. I mean, Drew’s hardly Mr. Sunshine, but I was referring to Austin.”
By process of elimination, I deduce that Austin’s the blond one. “He doesn’t look like the devil, Sophie,” I say under my breath. In fact, he’s one of the best-looking men I’ve ever seen, with piercing blue eyes and cheekbones that could cut glass.
