Like That

Chapter 8 - Making Plans

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.--Helen Keller

Chapter 8 - Making Plans

Cooper's POV:

For March it is bitter outside this morning. I know it's going to get up to 65 F outside, but why does the day begin below freezing? If it wasn't for Emily's text, I would still be curled up in my nice warm bed waiting for my alarm. I don't really want to go, but I could think of worst ways to begin my day.

I hurry out of the backdoor toward Emily's hoping she isn't already outside waiting for me. I know she has enough men in her life trying to protect her, but I'll gladly add myself to that list. At first I did it for Will, but now...

Rounding the corner toward the woods, I see Emily coming down the path. She's dressed for the frigid weather. Even though it's cold she still has her hair pulled up. At least today she has her ears protected with a fleece headband. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen her hair down. Usually it's pinned up in a bun thingy, but last night she just had a ponytail. Her hair is wavy and I just wanted to touch it. I doubt Will would have appreciated me doing that, because he really seems to like her.

Last night he couldn't keep his hands off of her. I'm happy for him. He finally has a girl I can at least tolerate. I'm not sure how serious this relationship really is but it didn't even faze him when she said she wanted her husband back. He seems to want to be with her no matter what.

"Good morning," I say as Emily joins me on the walking path. "What are you listening to?"

"Seabirds."

"Don't You Know You're Beautiful?" She nods, and I smile at the double meaning of my question.

"Yeah, you know that song?"

"I do," she puts in her ear bud and adjusts her music then gives me a smile that takes my breath. "It fits," I whisper.

She sets our pace in a slow jog. Her iPod is just loud enough to hear the tempo, but soft enough for us to talk.

"I'm sorry about last night. I can't believe you stayed for all of that." She looks a little embarrassed. She shouldn't be, it just shows how much she is cared for...and I was included in the group. I can't even begin to wipe the smile off of my face. I've only known her a short time, but I'm glad to have her around.

"I think you're stuck with me now. Between Addy and Will, we are connected."

"I think it's you that may be stuck, but thank you anyway."

We keep a comfortable pace around the track. After our first day, we have spent almost every morning running together. Only twice has it rained us out. Emily is building up to two laps. She could do it now, but not at a steady pace like she wants. Her pace just picked up. "What song is playing now?" I ask.

"Remember the Name."

"I don't think I know that one."

"It's one of Mason's warm up songs. He made this playlist for me the other day. This is the first day I used it. I chose the slower songs and he added the faster ones. He even put Wavin'Flag on here for me. He loves that song...it gets him mentally ready for a game." She pulls an ear bud out and hands it to me. I have to run close to her as I hold the bud to my ear. "Do you like it?"

"I can't tell. It sounds ok, but I'll have to listen to it later I think." She takes the ear bud and puts in back in her ear.

We continue with our run. After a while we slow down again. She must be back to the slower music. Dawn in finally breaking and I can see Emily better through the half light of morning. I've never envied my friend Will as much as I do this morning. He is one lucky man. Emily is absolutely beautiful inside and out. I keep looking over at her. I can definitely understand why Foster thinks he is in love with her...she is amazing. I heard him tell her he loves her. I wonder if she feels the same, or is she pining away for her husband that left her.