Page 17 of Beauty Beneath the Sorrow
Piper: Have fun with her. She never stops talking.
Piper: I wish I were participating withyou guys!
Avery: I know. It should make for an exciting day.
Me: Wish you were doing it with us too, Piper Moon!
Bailey: We’ll miss you! Who did you get, Lina?
Me: I’m logging into my work email now.
I quickly find the email from the organization putting on the event and open it. I scroll down through acknowledgments, directions, and practice-run destinations in various cities. The airline has partnered with the hotels to make sure we’re staying at properties near parks or trails to encourage us to practice, which I find ironic since most of the hotels we stay at are near the airport, and most of the international ones are in the middle of cities.
When I finally reach the bottom, my heart falls from my chest. In big, bold letters, I read the words,“Your partner is Captain Carter Hernandez.”My stomach flutters.Shit, this is going to be trouble.I grab my phone to respond to the girls.
Me: I got Carter.
Piper: Oh shit.
Avery: Great. You and Carter can be weird around each other when you’re not working too.
Bailey: Fireworks are going to pop off!
Me: He’s my dad’s friend. Stop it.
Bailey: The body wants what the body wants, babe!
Avery: lol
Me: Oh my god, you guys. Besides, I went out on a date with a hot guy from finance tonight.
Piper: Did you bang him?
Me: Not yet. I wasn’t in the mood.
Avery: Are you feeling alright? Are you sick? Fever?
Me: I’m going to bed. I’ll see you on our flight tomorrow, Bailey. Love you, Piper and Avery.
Avery: Love you!
Bailey: Muah!
Piper: Miss you all, love you!
I plug my phone into the charger and fold myself under the covers. I’m regretting my decision to participate in this event. I am not a runner, nor am I in that good of shape. Sure, I do Pilates once a week or so when I’m home, and yes, I willwork out if the hotel I’m staying in has a nice gym, but overall, I am not the athletic type.
I did have a good time last year at the event, but it kicked my ass. I should have prepared beforehand, and I grossly underestimated how hard it would be. Now, I’m about to repeat it all, but this time, I’m risking thoroughly embarrassing myself.
I shouldn’t care what he thinks, but for some reason, I do. I wonder what he’s thinking about getting me as a partner.
Chapter Five
Carter
Iremember requesting Lina as my partner for the charity run on a whim one night, but I was still in disbelief last night, when I saw the words written on my email confirming it. At the very bottom of the signup form, there was a field that allowed the participant to put in an anonymous request for a partner you don’t want to work with or a partner you do.
Was it the best decision? Nope. Did I do it anyway so I could spend time with her? Offuckingcourse.
