"I need something hearty, something that's gonna fill me up. Like I said, feeling pretty drained."
"Hmm, steak?" I suggested.
He grinned. "I like the way you think."
"Not sure how familiar you are with the area yea, but I'm guessing you don't know the best spots. I, on other hand, have been here for a whole two years…and as that pretty much makes me a native, I know where the best spots to eat can be found."
Everett chuckled; it was good to see him smile after all this stress and worry.
"Well take me to 'em, I'm ready!"
***
Everett leaned back and patted his stomach appreciatively. "Now that, that was a fine steak," he remarked, smiling. "I'm very glad you showed me this place!"
"And I'm glad you liked it. Just don't come here too often, though."
"Why do you say that?" he asked.
"We wouldn't want to ruin your not-so-boyish figure," I said with a wink.
My comfort level and my attraction toward Everett seemed to have intensified almost magically. And from the way he had been stealing glances at me over lunch, I was sure he felt the same.
"It ain't nothing that my morning seven-mile run and workout session won't burn off," he said. "And speaking of figures…I’ll be a gentleman and let you guess what I’m thinking."
I blushed and smiled. "I'll try to do that. But hold up a minute – you run seven miles every morning?"
"Sure, ever since I was in…"
He stopped mid-sentence as if he had just inadvertently blurted out a secret.
"In what?" I urged him to finish.
"High school, I was on the track team," he said after just enough hesitation that a person who didn’t question everything wouldn’t think twice about. Unfortunately, I wasn’t that type of person. I was the type of person who had to question everything. It’s how I managed to keep myself safe and hidden from a psychotic ex. And that meant that I didn't really believe his story, but at the same time, I knew what it was like to not want to talk about my past. And this seemed to be a subject he was reluctant to talk about, so I didn't press him on it.
"Well, that's impressive. Most men in their 30s are lucky if they can run seven miles in a week, let alone a day," I complimented.
"Being fit is an important part of who I am," he said. "Healthy body, healthy mind. And discipline when it comes to taking care of your physical health means discipline in all other areas of your life, too – and discipline is what's needed to succeed."
"I suppose I agree with that," I said. "Why else would I go to yoga classes three times a week? It's not as grueling as your seven miles every morning sounds, but it does wonders for my mind and body."
A mischievous smirk turned up one side of his mouth. "I suppose I would agree with that. You seem pretty sound of mind, too,” he added with a wink. “Perhaps we can work out together sometime. I wouldn't mind trying some of that yoga stuff, and maybe you can come run with me one day."
It was a good save since the conversation was clearly headed for the gutter if he hadn’t turned it to running.
"I haven’t been running in years. Where do you usually run?" I asked, trying to focus on changing the subject and not the idea of naked yoga with the beautiful specimen sitting across from me.
He laughed. "Well, usually in my house. So, might get kind of tricky if you tried to run with me on the treadmill. But we could go for a run around the neighborhood sometime."
"I would like that," I replied with a smile. "I'd like that very much, in fact."
Before we could continue, the waitress interrupted us.
"Anything else for you guys?"
"Just the check please," answered Everett.
"So, what are your plans for getting some rest?" I asked.