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“Oh.”I pursed my lips.

“Was I not supposed to see it?Right on the fridge?”

“Well, I have to admit I barely see it.”My training schedule was embedded in my mind and in my sports watch.

“So you get up and get going.By the time you’re on your way back, Wally and I will practically be there.”

“I’ll walk back with you.”

“Will that mess up your training?”

I shook my head.

He kissed my lips.“I don’t want you to change anything about your life just because Wally and I are now a part of it.”

Instead of arguing, I made my way to the shower, cleaned off quickly, donned my running gear, and headed out.A run to the lighthouse at the north end of the beach and back wasn’t a long journey.My muscles, however, let me know what they thought of the training break I’d taken.

This early in the morning, I didn’t pass as many people on the boardwalk as I expected.The day wasn’t hot yet, but it certainly looked like it might be another brutal one.The threat of last night’s storm never materialized, and the sticky heat remained untouched.

Still, I continued to run.Until Phillip, nothing had made me feel as good, as free, as running.Now, as I reveled in pushing myself physically, I thought about the man who made me feel even better.Phillip just made me smile, all the damn time.

And sure, things might not last.I understood all the obstacles stacked against us.But he understood me in a way that only Marcie really did.And I saw him in a way apparently no one ever had before.I’d continue to worry about his mental health, of course.But I would for anyone I was in a committed relationship with.He was clearly on the right track with a team of professionals behind him.He’d implied Dr.Martin had given him the green light to proceed in a relationship with me.I’ll need to make sure that’s the correct understanding.If the doc’s worried, or if he wants us to take things slow, then I will.I wouldn’t be happy about it…but I would.

Phillip came first.Always would.

With Wally a damn close second.

I grinned and waved at a couple with their two kids.The baby, in the man’s arms, was squawking away.His partner pushed the stroller with a toddler who snoozed.The men looked frazzled.

And happy.

I was grateful Phillip didn’t want kids.He might change his mind—what with him being so young.He might spend time around Raphael and Thaddeus and decide he was missing out.

Or he might come home exhausted every day and decide that, in the end, he was glad the two were Marcie and Darren’s responsibility.

Personally, I thought Marcie’s suggestion of Phillip babysitting was brilliant.In a while, I’d suggest he could finish his philosophy degree.If he wanted.Or he could do something else.Hell, if he really enjoyed being in childcare, he could study that.

I wanted him to be whomever he chose to be.

Admittedly, I hoped that meant with me.

I waved to Wynn at the lighthouse as he did something near the huge tower.I ran a gentle loop, checked my watch, and headed back.I was a bit off my best time, but I wasn’t worried.My next race wasn’t for a month yet.Should I ask Phillip to come and watch me?With Wally?What would it feel like to have someone at the finish line waiting for me?In my early days, Marcie used to come and watch.These days, with the chaos of having two kids, I never asked her.She had enough to deal with.

I waved at a young man being pulled along by a massive dog.

Wish I had a card for Jordan that I could give the poor guy.

Not that he might welcome the intrusiveness.

Still, when the dog snarled at me, I gave both owner and pooch a large radius.

I continued on with my steady pace until I neared Nice Buns.

Phillip sat on a bench by the boardwalk with two travel mugs, a bottle of water, and a pastry box.

My saliva glands kicked into overdrive.

I slowed my pace as I approached.