Page 80 of You Met Me There

Her laugh is melodic. For such an impressive, athletic person, she’s gentle and sweet. I can picture us being friends. Making friends doesn’t come easily to me because I’m usually too self-conscious to make a positive impression.

Emma is my only friend, and I still sometimes wonder why she bothers to stick around.

“We’ll get you running marathons in no time,” Sarah states, giving me a hug.

A tiny thrill runs through me. If I can actually manage to run with Luke like he’s always wanted me to, then maybe it will help with the dreams. Maybe I’ll be able to shake off my anxiety by literally running it off.

At least it’s worth a try.

Chapter 40

Luke

“So I was thinking maybe I could try running again.” Nat plops onto the couch beside me.

“Really?” I pull my head back, looking away from my laptop. Nat’s been extremely adamant about not doing something physically straining to ease her anxiety. I’d about given up on encouraging her to run.

I rest a hand on her thigh as her lime-green shorts ride up. Her matching green T-shirt sits cropped at her navel.

“The runner I had the session with today said she’ll call me to give me some pointers on how to get better at it. You know, so I don’t feel like I’m having a heart attack every time I go running with you.” Natalie’s fingers absentmindedly run along mine.

“I think that’s a great idea. I know you don’t like to be told what to do or given suggestions, but I’m glad you’re taking an interest in it.” I hope she hears the pride in my voice. Her decision to at least try running for her mental health is a big step.

She bounces her leg. “There’s something about this place that makes me feel more alive. Maybe that sounds crazy, because it’s just a mountain with trees everywhere, but I feel different here. Do you know what I mean?”

“It’s the elevation. It messes with your brain.” I point a finger at the side of my head, making circles through the air.

She shoves me with her shoulder, a grin spreading over her face. “I’m not crazy. But I’m finally thinking you have a point about the nightmares and sleeping. Running might help.”

My brows shoot up. “Oh? So are you saying I’m right?”

Her eyes roll. “I’ve never said you weren’t. I just didn’t say you were either.” I lean in to tickle her, but she jumps off the couch before I reach her. She grins down at me. “Come on, I need help with the dishes.” She tugs at my hand, and I follow.

She rounds the couch and enters the kitchen, moving to a drawer to pull out a dish towel. She slaps it on the counter and gets right to work. She fills one side of the sink halfway with water, pumps soap onto a sponge, and tackles the growing mound of dishes we haven’t taken the time to clean over the past few days.

Who has time for dishes when they’re working or, more accurately, attending to their troubled marriage?

A few dishes get scrubbed and rinsed before I step up beside her, sliding the towel from the counter and drying the plates as she hands them to me.

Nat swings her head around. “Hey, can you get that for me?” she says.

I look at her, frowning. “Get what?”

“My phone. It’s vibrating in my pocket.” She tips her chin over her shoulder, hands dripping water into the sink.

I tug her cell phone from the pocket against her leg, unashamedly enjoying the excuse to touch her.

“It’s a text from Jules.” I hold it out so she can read the screen.

Juliet: You can still come over for the photos at six on Wednesday.

“That’s a good sign, right?” I say, reading the text with her.

“I hope so,” she mumbles. “I just hope it’s not awkward.”

I shake my head. “It won’t be awkward if you don’t make it awkward.”

She gawks at me. “Me? What about her?”