InSight

Luke.
    “Amazing.” He toweled off Abby’s forehead and wrapped her sweat jacket around her shoulders. “Maybe next week I’ll run with her, if you don’t mind.”
    “Well I do,” Jackie said. “I’d hate to miss running with the only woman who can keep up with me.”
    “You know you slow down for me, Jackie.”
    “Hell I do. If you could see, you’d leave me in the dust.”
    Jackie was pumping her up in front of Luke, and she appreciated it. They all laughed anyway. Abby felt like a new person, energized and fit. Next week, Jackie said, she wanted to see how the man did.
    “How about one lap now?” Luke asked. “I’m wearing shorts and tennis shoes. Let’s see if I can keep up. You game?”
    “Sure,” Abby said.
    “Hey, not fair. She’s just run five miles.”
    “I’m good for one more lap.”
    Jackie gave Luke explicit instructions on technique, making sure he understood not to take the lead and pull. When she felt comfortable that he understood, she gave her consent.
    “Grab hold,” Abby said. He did, and by the end of 400 meters, Luke sounded like he had emphysema, and Abby was pulling him.
    “Man, I’m out of shape,” he wheezed, “but I’ll catch up. Should’ve quit smoking sooner. Give me a few weeks.”
    “You’re gonna need more than a few weeks to catch up to Abby,” Jackie said, “but go for it. You need the exercise.”
    They all laughed again, but Abby knew Luke took the challenge seriously. She wouldn’t be surprised if he started practicing nightly before next week. She’d know after the first lap.
    Luke put his arm around her. “What do you say we shower and change and go shopping for some running shoes? If I’m going to give you a run for your money, I’ll need the right equipment.”
    Abby groaned at the pun.
    “There’s an athletic shoe store next to Barnes and Noble. We can grab a cup of coffee after.”
    “I won’t be much help with the shoes, but I never turn down coffee. I can pick up a few audio books while we’re there. A good mystery novel before bed clears my mind of other people’s problems.” She showered and changed into jeans.
    After Luke bought his shoes, they sauntered into the book store, where the rich aroma of coffee wafted through the air. Luke guided her to a seat at a small table and ordered two cappuccinos.
    “I think the last year softened me,” he said. “I didn’t realize how out of shape I am.”
    Abby reached over and touched his muscular arm. “You don’t feel out of shape to me. Take it from someone who does a lot of feeling around.”
    “I’m not pushing, understand, but if you’d like to feel a little more later, I’m available.”
    A smile accompanied her racing heart. “I’m not trying to be a tease, Luke. This is all so new to me. I’m scared and confused.”
    She felt him wipe something from the corner of her mouth. He took her hand. “No explanation necessary. This is new for me too. It’s turning out to be a hell of a year.”
    Luke’s affectionate public display surprised her. Most men were embarrassed to show affection in public. She hadn’t anticipated this side of him.
    “You—”
    He stopped in the mid-sentence. She didn’t have a clue why until she heard the silky voice.
    “Hello, Luke. Surprise seeing you here.”
    An uneasy quiet followed and silky voice repeated her greeting.
    “Oh, hi, Claire,” Luke said as he slid his hand off Abby’s.
    “Long time no see,” Claire said.
    “I guess it has been.”
    “You’re looking…well,” she said. “Actually, you look great. How’ve you been?”
    “Been doing okay. How ’bout you?”
    “Keeping busy. You still with the department?”
    “Still there.”
    Abby began to feel invisible as she listened to this primer in small talk, when silky voice said, “Aren’t you going to introduce me?”
    “Sorry, of course,” Luke said. “Abigael Gallant, my ex-wife Claire…”
    “It’s still McCallister. I haven’t been able to part with it yet. Pleased to meet you, Abigael.”
    The bottom dropped out of Abby’s stomach. She’d never given a thought to Luke’s ex-wife and wished she didn’t have to think about her now. Why should she feel like that? After all, Luke and Claire were divorced and he was sitting with her. That meant something, didn’t it?
    “The pleasure’s mine,” she managed to say, even though her mouth went dry as a bone. More silence. She assumed her lack of precision eye contact gave her away.
    “I see