"Noel, he freaking kissed me!"

"Child, you should be wishing he did more than that."

"Um, no. I didn't even know how to react to it."

"I hope you kissed him back at least."

"I did. I couldn't do anything, but kiss him back."

"What was it like?"

“Only like the best kiss I've ever had. His lips were so soft and he really knew what he was doing. It felt like it could be my first kiss all over again because no other has ever compared.”

Noel whistled.

"That's a keeper right there."

As soon as I’d gotten home, I called Noel. I couldn't believe the way the night ended. The whole night was perfect. Reed was such a gentleman.

"How am I going to focus on working out when I'm concentrating on not jumping his bones?"

"I vote for jumping his bones. That could count as a workout."

"Bye Noel." I hung up the phone to the sound of Noel making kissing noises. 

***

Reed and I had set our first training session for Monday evening. When I reached the gym, he was waiting for me at the front.

"Hey," I greeted him.

"Hey to you." His signature smile was directed right at me. I could get addicted to that smile. 

"I just need to go change and I'll be right out."

"Take your time. I'll be over by the stretching area when you’re ready."

I quickly changed into my workout clothes. I’d ordered some new things online to wear to my sessions with Reed. I couldn't deny that I wanted to look cute while working out with him.

When I exited the locker room Reed was sitting on a mat stretching. I headed over and sat down across from him.

"Did you have a good day?"

I was touched that he would ask me about something as simple as my day. Alec never showed any interest in those kinds of things.

"Busy, but very productive. How was yours?"

"Pretty much the same as yours. Better now that you’re here."

I was starting to think I’d have a permanent smile on my face anytime I was around him.

"So I was thinking we should set a fitness goal for you. Something that you can use to measure your fitness level that doesn't revolve around the scale."

"Okay, what did you have in mind?"

"There is a 5k color run in a few months. I think your goal should be to run the whole thing."

The look on my face must have been comical because Reed laughed.

"I don't know why you're laughing. I don't run. There is no way I'm running a 5k. However far that is."

He let out a chuckle. I was glad he found this so funny. Hardy-har-har.

"It's just over three miles. That isn't too far. We’ll train and build up to it."

In what world is three miles not far? Maybe in my car while I drove beside him as he ran.

"You're so handsome. It's a shame you’re insane." I  tisked and shook my head.

"You think I'm handsome?"

Was he for real?

"I think everyone that sets eyes on you thinks you're handsome bud. Besides, is that all you took from what I said?"

"Can you blame me? Getting a compliment from you is the hardest thing I've ever done."

I rolled my eyes. I complimented him plenty. Just not to his face.

"So what I'm thinking is we mix running with weight training. Sometimes we'll throw something different in for cross training."

"Fine, I guess," I'm sure my lack of enthusiasm was dripping from my voice.

Our training session went by quickly. We started with seeing how much I could run currently. Which to no surprise was very little. We ended with weights and called it a night. 

When I was walking out of the locker room, my phone rang. It was my mother. She was the last person I wanted to talk to, but it had been a while since I talked to her so there was no point in ignoring it. 

"Hi, mother."

"Penelope, how are you?"

I made my way to the front desk where Reed was. I placed my hand over the mouthpiece and whispered "my mom." He gave me an understanding nod.

"I'm fine, finishing up at the gym."

"You're still at that? Good to see you finally follow through with something."

I gritted my teeth. I guess graduating college with honors and landing a great job right after was mediocre.

"Yes, I'm still at it."

"Hmm. Well, I'm having a party in two weeks. You are expected to attend."

Oh goody..

"What’s the occasion?"

"I just thought it would be nice to get our friends together. The weather is starting to heat up so we can have a nice set up outside."

My mom was all about keeping up appearances. My parents weren't rich, but they weren't hurting for money. My mom liked any opportunity to flaunt what she had to her so-called friends. 

"Sounds... nice. I'll check my schedule and get back to you."

"Clear your schedule and be there."

Without another word, the phone clicked and my lovely mother was gone. I threw the phone in my gym bag. I was not pleased with the party. These things always resulted in me feeling like crap about myself. I was never dressed well enough. My hair was never right. I was never pleasant enough. If there was a flaw to be had, my mother found it and pointed it out.

Reed came up beside me and placed his hand on my arm. It startled me out of my thoughts.

"Hey, everything ok?"

I looked up into his gorgeous face. His eyes connected with mine.

"Yeah, kinda."

"Let's grab a smoothie from the smoothie bar and take a walk."

"You don't have to do that Reed. You've probably had a long day. I don't want to burden you."

"You aren't a burden. I want to spend time with you."

How could I say no to that?

"Okay."

We ordered our smoothies and decided to walk to a nearby park. At the park, we sat on a bench overlooking a pond. Mother ducks floated across the water with their ducklings.

"So, want to tell me what's got you down?"

"My mom is having a party and my presence is required."

"Okay, I don't see how that's so bad."

"My mom and I don't exactly see eye to eye. Nothing I have ever done has been good enough for her. I'm not skinny enough, smart enough, charming enough. I can't keep a man. The list goes on."

"That really sucks. I'm sorry that you have to put up with that. From what I know so far you’re plenty charming, smart and definitely beautiful."

My face heated up at this comment.

"Thank you, Reed. I'm used to it by now. She's always found ways to make me feel less than. That's probably why I stayed with my ex for so long. I was used to being treated poorly."

"Well, I want you to know if you give me the privilege of getting to know you better I will never treat you like that."

Good grief, the man knew how to sweet talk a woman.

"I appreciate that Reed."

"You know, if you want some support I could always go with you to the party."

His eyes were glued to his feet when he made the suggestion. The lack of eye contact and his legs shaking up and down surprised me. He was nervous. Men didn’t get nervous around me. Especially not men like Reed. I was flattered by his sweet offer to enter into a complete disaster with me. No one had ever offered to be there for me like that beside Noel.

"I don't want to drag you into my family drama. You’ll be running for the hills before we even have a chance to see  where things go."

Reed cupped my chin in his hand and turned my face toward him. His thumb brushed lightly back and forth across my cheek.

"Hey, I don't scare easy. I think I can handle your mom. I want to be there for you. It seems like you need someone in your corner for once. I'd like to try to be that guy."

I couldn't help the smile that crept to my face.

"Okay," was all I could say in response. I tried to warn him of the shit storm he was walking into. What happened from here only time would tell.

"So enough about me. Tell me about your family."

I could feel his body stiffen next to mine. I’d hit a nerve. I held my breath waiting to see if he would answer.

"I don't have much family. I have an aunt and uncle that live in California. They have three kids. My Uncle Dwight lives here."

His reaction almost made me scared to ask my next question, but it was out of my mouth before I could help myself.

"What about your parents?"

Reed rubbed his hands back and forth on his thighs to his knees.

"My parents died when I was thirteen."

"Reed, I'm so sorry to hear that."

"It's ok. I'm ok now. Like they say, time heals all wounds."

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Despite his words, I could tell by his voice that there was still grief. I reached over and covered his hand with mine. He turned his hand palm up and interlocked our fingers. We didn't talk anymore about his parents. We just walked back to my car hand in hand.