Page 84 of Fly's Path

Fly

Do you listen to music, or do you want to talk through it?

Sheri

I’ve never talked to someone while running.

Fly

Why don’t we try that?

I pop my earbuds in.

Fly

We can always switch to a shared playlist if it doesn’t work.

Sheri

Sounds good…but I’m not running to Mozart.

Fly

Chopin?

Sheri

LOL. No. I’ll pick the music.

A grin spreads across my face as I dial her number. “Good morning.”

“You can’t say good morning like that. It’s not fair to a woman this early in the morning. Not to mention the fact that weak knees aren’t the best thing for running.”

I slide the phone into the armband I got to hold it and slip out the back door. “So what you’re saying is my voice is sexy.”

“Like you needed me to tell you that.”

It’s not like I’m a humble man. “I like hearing you say it.”

“Beast.”

“I thought I was a prince.”

“You’re that too.” She laughs. “I need to move faster. It’s so cold up here.”

Cold. “Your hometown must be pretty far south for you to think this morning is cold.”

“Hey now, no picking on the girl with thin blood. Beach Haven is right on the gulf. It either feels hot and muggy or like you poured a gallon of boiling water on yourself, then decided to run across the surface of the sun.”

“That sounds pleasant. No need to hit the sauna after your run then.”

“Nope. Also, no need for a facial or makeup remover because that’s all gone.”

“Do you wear makeup when running?” That was an intrusive question, but she doesn’t seem like the type to fuss about how she looks when she’s working out. There’s definitely a type of woman who has to be perfectly coiffed at all times.

High-maintenance women aren’t my thing, but I could make an exception for Sheri.

“Not an ounce. I really only bother with it when I’m going to see people.”