Page 29 of If It Can't Be Us

“What?” I ask, catching my breath as we slow to a walk, my sweat cooling my body against the cold October air.

We’ve been running three and a half miles together on Saturdays, running the first three before walking the last half-mile. We just hit our three-mile mark.

“Ryan Gosling’s character,” she repeats. “You know, Jacob, the hot guy from the bar, whose goal in life is to find beautiful women to take home and bang. That’s why I use the word bang, by the way. I love that movie. That’s you. Tell me you’ve seen it!”

“Yes, I know the movie,” I laugh, remembering it well. I’d forgotten about the bang scene. “I’m not like him.” I wipe sweat from my brow and push my dripping wet hair back, away from my forehead. “If I recall, he teaches an old man how to get pussy, and I don’t do that.” Laughing, I dodge her as she moves to lightly shove me.

It’s easy to joke around with her, but there’s something more there. I’ve never felt this comfortable with anyone so quickly. Every Saturdayrun, every dinner, it all feels like it’s filling a void I didn’t even know was there.

“Just when I think you can’t shock me, you always manage,” she says, gaping at me.

“Doesn’t Jacob end up falling for a girl he meets at the bar? That’s definitely not me either. Never going to be.”

She just shakes her head, smiling as if she doesn’t believe me.

She’s such a cool chick. We’ve become good friends over the past two months, and I’ve loved having a cool neighbor to hang out with. Much cooler than fucking Gary and Brenda. I laugh to myself… apparently out loud.

“What?” she asks.

“Oh, I don’t know. I was just thinking.”

“About?”

“How interesting life is.” We walk a moment in silence.

“You gonna leave me with that cliffhanger? Come on, tell me your thoughts.”

“It’s nothing.” We stop in front of my house. “I’m just glad you moved in, Walker. I like hanging out with you.” I nudge her shoulder.

“Ahhhhh… itdoeshave feelings!” she says, nudging me back.

“Alright, alright, that’s enough sap for one day,” I say, giving her a sweaty hug.

“Gross. You’re so sweaty. Get off!” She pushes against me, laughing.

“So, you going on that date tonight?”

She rolls her eyes and groans. “Ugh, yes.”

“Didn’t have the balls to cancel?”

“No, I didn’t, and I’mdreadingit!”

“Well, you better practice saying ‘no’, for when he tries to get into your pants,” I joke, but I’m one hundred percent serious.

“Okay, first, it’s a first date. I don’t expect that will be happening. Second, not everyone is as big of a perv as you, making it their life’s goal to get laid by every woman they come in contact with.”

I roll my eyes at her. “Oh, Walker, you truly haven’t dated much since you’ve been single, have you? They may not all make it known on the firstdate that they want to get laid, but trust me, they do.Especiallyif they’re on a date with you.”

I mean every word I say to her. She’s too gorgeous for her own good, and too sweet to know it.

“Ahh. Are you trying to tell me you think I’m pretty?” she says with a playful, snarky tone, framing her face with her hands.

“I’m serious! You need to be able to stand up for yourself. Guys can be pricks, and you’re too nice. Tell me that you can stand your ground.”

“Whoa. Okay. Chill, Leo. I appreciate yourbig brotherconcern for me, truly, I do… but this isn’t my first rodeo. It’s just dinner. And Kara has vouched for him; I doubt she would set me up with a total douchebag. Plus, I’ll have my Birdie!”

I can’t help being protective. I’d hate for her to be taken advantage of with her kind heart.

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