Page 63 of Running
“Yes, it has for me.”
“How—”
He slides his palms forward an inch. “I—It did something to me once I realized you were interested too. I spent the last few weeks trying to block this whole situation out, not wanting to rock the boat with Landon or the team.”
He looks off to the side for a moment before recapturing eye contact. “There’s no blocking you out, Grace. Not when I know you’re open to seeing what’s between us too. Now, all I can think about is getting to know you better, and when I can see you next.”
His words cause my senses to flood. The honesty, thelongingin his voice—it’s nothing I’ve ever experienced with a man before.
But some doubt lingers.
“I’m…I definitely would like that. How does that work with all the things you mentioned about Landon?”
His eyes sharpen, like he’s about to try to pitch something to me. And he does, in a way.
“I have an idea on how to handle that right now. So let me say first, I have zero interest in what Landon’s worried about, a quick one-night thing or whatever. Ever since we met, Grace, I’ve been drawn to you. You’re gorgeous, smart, strong—and I can’t wait to spend more time together.”
I’m terrible at accepting compliments, but something about Johnson’s conviction connects. His praise is like a rush of warmth that weaves around my body.
“Still, I think we can both guess that Landon wouldn’t be chill about us starting to date. It may make it really hard to explore things. So this is what I’m thinking. What if we go on some dates, quietly getting to know each other better, see how we feel…and if it’s going the way I hope, get our relationship on solid ground before we tell him.”
“Okay, so basically we won’t tell anyone what’s going on? Hide it?”
He sighs. “I hate that part. But yes, at least hide it for a little while. That way, if we decide not to pursue more, we can end things without others involved. I don’t think that will be the way this goes, to be honest. Still, I like the idea of having a window where only the two of us are in this. Then we can tell everyone, including Landon, when the time is right.”
What Johnson doesn’t realize is that keeping things quiet in the early stages is more my speed anyways. The last thing I want is for my family—my mom even more so than Landon—to be micro-analyzing my relationship, especially when it’s new.
However, I don’t love having to hide this from Landon, starting with the fact it’s going to be difficult to pull off.Though with it being football season, maybe less so, as he’ll be plenty distracted. Also, now he has Rori to spend time with because her tennis season winds down soon.
More importantly, I’m wary of the time when we’d tell Landon that we’ve been keeping this from him. The news could go over badly. Because of our parents’ selfish, toxic behavior, Landon’s sensitivity to forms of betrayal is heightened. It’s one of the reasons he hasn’t put himself out there before Rori, not wanting to get hurt by misplacing his trust in someone.
Rationally, though, I know he’d get over it eventually, especially if we carefully explain our reasons.
Counterbalancing my sisterly obligations is the fact that my love life has been so much of a bust that I’m also simply excited totrythis with Johnson. The previous guys I dated were just so meh, and something was missing on one or both sides.
With Johnson, our connection, our attraction—they’re already mutual, already laid bare. If anything, he’s been more forthcoming than I have on those fronts.
Still, I have questions. One big question anyway.
My chest is tight as I ask the last concern holding me back.
“Would we date other people?” In other words, would he?
“No way.” His forehead crinkles. “I mean no, if you are okay with that. I can say with confidence that you’re the only woman I’m interested in.”
My last reservation fades away.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” A smile blossoms on his face, which I can’t help but reciprocate.
“I want to try, Johnson. Everything you’ve described…I feel the same way.”
His eyes light up brighter at my confession, and then he starts coming around the island. “Can I give you a hug?”
I laugh. “I don’t think you have to ask anymore. I’m one-hundred percent in for hugs, anytime.”
He doesn’t reply except by taking me in his arms, his bigstrong limbs creating a safe haven for me to enjoy our unfiltered excitement. To embrace the emotions he’s evoking in me.
