“There is one marked for you.”

I nod and he puts it in my trunk. “I’ll take the rest for you to Goodwill.”

“Thanks for everything, including lunch,” I say.

He smiles warmly. “Don’t mention it.”

~Eight months after Drew~

When the news comes, I’m so overwhelmed, I find myself in the park running down a path. The pads of my feet smacking the ground are the only noise in my head. Dr. Mercer was right. Only it took me one more hardheaded month to take his advice and try running again.

For the first time in a while, I feel alive. I can’t believe how much I’ve missed this. My heart races from exhilaration and not depression. I’m in no way fine, but I feel marginally better.

I run around a corner and glance up to see those striking blue eyes. For a second, my heart skips a beat. Then I realize the blond hair doesn’t belong to my Drew but to Dr. Mercer.

“Cate.”

“Dr. Mercer.”

“You’re not going to call me Drew are you?”

I force the words out of my mouth because he’s been nothing but kind to me. “Drew.”

The name is like a bitter pill on my tongue. My Drew should be with me right now.

“Tried running eh?” he asks with an eyebrow raised.

“You were right. It clears my head. It’s what I need from the news I just got.”

“News?”

We continue to jog in place as other joggers pass. And for some reason it’s easy to talk to him.

“I got a really good offer on the house. A nice family with a baby on the way wants the house. They love it.” I manage to say the words without crying. “They will make it the home it was meant to be.”

He nods but doesn’t offer any words of encouragement. He tilts his head toward the trail. I nod and take off in the direction I had been heading and he follows. We run for a while until I get back to my starting point.

“You should join our group.”

I glance up at him after toweling off my face. I’ve stopped and start to stretch but he’s still moving. Apparently, my thirty minutes is just a warm up for him.

“The one I mentioned a while back.”

When I still show no signs of recognition, he says, “There are a group of us that run daily. It doesn’t require any socialization. You don’t have to talk at all during the runs. Sometimes it’s good to run with other people. They help keep you motivated.”

I bend forward to shake out my muscles. When I straighten he adds, “There is a morning run at six and an evening run at six. Pick your time, it’s not formal or anything. We usually gather near the statue.”

“It’s sounds fun. I’ll think about it.”

“Good. And it was good seeing you, Cate.”

“You too.”

~A year and a little over two months after Drew~

Jenna stares at me like I’m lying to her.

“I swear, we’re just friends.”

Her face softens. “You know it’s okay to date other people. Drew didn’t expect you to be a hermit.”

I glance away. “I’m not ready, Jenna. I’m just not. I’m not sure when I’ll ever be.”

She doesn’t understand when you find the love of your life, who can ever match up to that. And it won’t be fair for me to see anyone while comparing them to Drew.

“I’ve seen pictures of you two. You sporting a huge smile. You ran in the 10k prostate cancer race. You have breakfast with him a few times a week and sometimes dinner. He helped at your yard sale and he moved furniture with Ben.”

“It’s incidental. We are only friends. He’s dating someone. As far as the race, it was a challenge. I did it and can mark it off my bucket list. I doubt I’ll run in any more races. And I haven’t seen him in a few weeks.”

“Why?”

I shrug. “I’ve been running most mornings. He hasn’t. I assume he’s running in the evening. It’s not like we call each other to coordinate our schedules.”

“Un huh.”

I groan. “He’s with someone. You’re reading our friendship wrong.”

“You have to admit he’s hot.”

I shake my head. “I’ve never looked at him that way.”

She stares at me like I grew antlers. “He’s gorgeous, Cate. There’s no way you don’t see it.”

I shake my head.

“He reminds me of…”

“Of what?” I ask.

“Never mind. I would date him.”

“Good, I’ll pass that along if he becomes single.”

She dismissively waves my words away. “You do that. Anyway, why don’t you date someone, anyone? And make them take you to dinner. You’re too skinny.”

I roll my eyes at her. “Look, I have to go.”

“Running this afternoon hoping to ‘run’ into a certain someone.” She makes air quotes with her fingers.

Ignoring her, I rush out the door. Only Dr. Mercer is there. I try not to notice him, but Jenna has me assessing him differently when the run is over and we are all stretching out so our muscles won’t cramp up.

When he tugs off his shirt and begins to towel off and I have to admit he would be a good catch for someone. Just not me.

“You up for dinner?” he asks.

I smile and nod. Outside of Jenna and Ben, I haven’t had many close friends and he’s become one. We sit at a popular deli waiting for our salads and sandwiches.

“How have you’ve been? Is everything okay?” It’s the first time I’ve seen him not give me a smile.

“The truth is, my girlfriend broke up with me. She’s tired of my hours and how I get called in at odd times.”

“Wow, she had to know that going into the relationship.”

He purses his lips. “She did. Says she thought she could handle it.”

“I’m sorry. Did it happen today?”

He shakes his head. “No, a few weeks ago. I guess it’s really hitting me today. I’ve been so busy with work, I haven’t had time to think about it.”

We’ve become so comfortable with each other, I don’t think twice when I ask him my next question. “Did you love her?”

He glances up thoughtfully. “I wouldn’t say love. But she won’t be the only woman who can’t put up with my profession. It kind of sucks to think that my job will be a turn off.”

“Somehow I think she’s in the minority.” Jenna’s words come back to me. “Anyway, I have a friend,” I begin and map out my plan for setting up a blind date.

Two days later, Jenna completely blows me off.

“No way. That’s your doctor. I saw how he looked at you at your yard sale. His eyes narrowed anytime a guy came up to ask you the price of something.”

“We’re just friends,” I say for the millionth time.

“I’m still not going out with him,” she says adamantly.

“But you said you would date him and I set it all up because of that.”

Jenna won’t change her mind. Therefore, I find myself walking into the bar and lounge to find him surprised to see me.

“I’m sorry,” I say sheepishly.

He seems resigned. “She doesn’t want to date a doctor.”

“No, it’s not that.” I don’t want to lie to him. “She has this crazy idea about you and me.”

His eyes go wide and it stings just a little. I’m not even sure why. I like him as a friend, but I guess knowing he wouldn’t be interested in me at all hits the old ego like a wrecking ball.

“Why don’t you stay? We can make the best of it. I don’t get many nights like these that often.”