Running Back to You (The Running Series, #1) Read Free Page A

everything and I’m just there in the moment. 
I love to take Maddy with me; it’s our special time together.  She loves
chasing those menacing seagulls.  I know she’ll never catch one, but I don’t
have the heart to tell her.
    After nearly a full week of behind-the-bar training at Wilkinson’s, I
finally have the day off.  With my first paycheck in hand, Auggie and I have
plans to do some antiquing on Arnold Avenue.  I still want to pick up a few
pieces for my room.  I spent many hours over the past week on Pinterest pinning
pictures of trunks, mirrors, lamps, shelves, and knick-knacks.  I am
particularly keen on finding some lighting fixtures using repurposed mason
jars.  Actually, I’d love to find any sort of bric-a-brac with mason jars.  I
don’t know exactly what I want, but I know I will find something.
    Auggie and I quickly park right in front of my favorite coffee shop, the
Green Planet Coffee Company.  I purchase my usual large chai and plop myself
down in one on the Adirondack chairs arranged along the sidewalk in front of the
shop.  Auggie quickly joins me with his latte and together we sit and chat. 
    “So, Jette, where to first?”  There are countless antique stores, shops,
and emporiums in downtown Point Pleasant.  We have the whole day to explore
each and every one of them.
    “Let’s start at the Antique Emporium, Auggie.  I’d love to find a vintage
steamer trunk, not that I can afford one, but I’d love to try.  Where do you
want to start?”  Auggie doesn’t answer; in fact, I don’t think he heard a word
I said.  I snap my fingers twice as I wave them in front of his face, “Hello? 
I asked you where you wanted to go first.”
    “Oh, sorry, Jette my Pet.  I was just admiring the eye candy that just
walked by across the street.”  Auggie gestures with his chin towards the two
men walking away from us.  I glimpse the image of two athletically built men
before they turn the corner and vanish out of my sight.
    “What did I miss?” I wonder out loud.
    “The two most beautiful straight boys I have ever seen in my life,” he
answers breathily as he fans himself.  “I can’t believe you didn’t notice
them.  Every female within half a mile noticed them, Jepetto.”  Sure enough, as
I look around at the other coffee shop patrons, there is a small group of girls
giggling and blushing. 
    “I hate when you call me that, you know!”
    “No you don’t – you love it.”  And with that, he grabs my hand and drags
me down the street. 
    “But the Emporium is the other way,” I insist.  I fight against his grasp
on my wrist, but it is no use.  Auggie is deceptively strong and there is no
use trying to break free of his vice-like grip.  “Where are we going?”
    “We’re going where ever those boys are headed.  Now be quiet and walk
faster, dammit.” 
    We hurry down the sidewalk and cross the street, just barely missing an
on-coming car.  We follow the men as they enter Point Beach Interiors.  “You
said you wanted to go shopping.  This is as good a place as any to start.” 
Auggie gallantly opens the door and motions for me to enter, “After you.”
    We take a quick glance around the store, and I don’t see them anywhere. 
This is no antique or vintage furniture store.  This is a beautiful home
furnishings store with large foundation pieces and accessories for a well-furnished
home.  Down the main aisle of the shop, there are small vignettes of furniture
arranged on both sides.  Each scene is packed with furniture and accessories so
there’s barely enough room to turn around.  Our targets could be anywhere
within the walls of this generous space.
    I shrug my shoulders and throw up my hands. We decide to look around and
see if there’s anything that tickles my fancy.  Surprisingly, I find a wall
hanging I want to buy.  It is a cute distressed wooden sign that simply states,
“Bon Appetit”.  We take it to the counter, pay cash, and take