Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 9

didn't want to know what expression those eyes held -- not this time. I branched where the sidewalk forked and headed for my office instead. I heard his laugh on the wind. The conflict in me grew.
    ****
    My runs were doing less and less to help me unwind. I almost expected Matthew to show up somewhere along my route, so I spent the entire time anticipating the brief encounter instead of sweating out my day in the office. The longer he took to show, the more wound up I got, and if he opted not to snipe at me one day, I would finish the run more disappointed than relieved.
    Today he was there, reclined on a fire hydrant with sunglasses hanging from his teeth while he poked his phone. He didn't look up as I approached but he snapped a comment as I passed. "Fancy new shoes, Connie. Do they only make them for girls?"
    I expected it sooner or later. "Pink too intimidating for you? I understand." Then I was beyond him.
    His surprised laugh kept me smiling the miles home.
    ****
    He was ambushing me. Once or twice in a week I could understand, but I saw him almost daily. Tripped over him around every other corner. It was as thrilling as it was unnerving. What had I ever done to become his fixation? It was hard not to consider the possibilities he seemed to be offering, but I wouldn't go there. He had no idea the kind of obedience I would demand. The complete surrender of self. And I wasn't sure he would thrive under my kind of dominance. He was a wild creature, self-assured. His arrogance in the face of my direction was as attractive as his ocean-scent was intoxicating. My dreams were filled with waves.
    And yet, I couldn't go there. If I showed a hint of reciprocation he would pounce and if he ever crossed the line from stalking my shadow to physical contact I wouldn't be able to hold back. I would crush that ever-long spirit. It was inevitable.
    So I anticipated his presence every moment of each summer day and I savored what I could through a mask of mildly annoyed indifference. Secretly I hoped he would see through it. Truly I knew I was simply making this experience a delicious torture.
    ****
    He waited on the steps. It was almost religion now to step over him with 'Good morning, Matthew', and listen for the ironic retort he'd prepared overnight. Only this time he didn't say anything at all, just turned the basketball in his hands and let me go on my way unmolested. I almost stopped. I almost asked what was wrong.
    Then I remembered I wasn't encouraging this relationship. There was no relationship. He was an annoying summer prick I was tolerating for the sake of amusement.
    Sure.
    That's why I watched him out my window for an hour until he headed for the basketball courts rather than getting any kind of work done.
    ****
    Four days. It was a sad thing that I was counting, but there it was. Four days since Matthew had offered even a slightly bemused look in my direction. I was not pouting. If I had to be honest, I was relieved. Maybe I'd be able to relax on my runs now instead of anticipating his presence with every breath.
    Yes, it was relief that I was feeling, I was sure of it. I was so overwhelmingly free that I hadn't managed to get any work started, never mind finished, in days.
    I still didn't know what had triggered his interest -- or disdain -- in me in the first place, but I wasn't missing the attention.
    I wasn't.
    ****
    With fall closing its doors and winter nearly here, my runs were getting shorter just to get home while the light was still out. Some days I managed to start earlier and keep the distance up, but the off-season didn't provide much in the way of incentive to retain my fitness.
    I was just thinking to turn back when I crossed under the construction scaffolding and saw him. He perched on the rail, shirtless, a beanie snug over his ears. His green eyes were wide. I pulled to a stop, compelled by that open expression. We stared at each other for several breaths.
    "Run with me," I said.
    He stepped off the rail without a word and tightened his boots. I turned for home and ran. After a moment his even footsteps chased me. I didn't look back.
    What the hell was I doing?
    All that bullshit about being relieved he wasn't around was a load of crock. I'd been lying to myself that I didn't want his attentions. Denial is more than just a river in Egypt. So, what, now I'd got him literally following me home and hadn't the slightest idea what I was going to do when I got there.
    But that look of total