Read You Smiled for Free Online Page A

sighed. That particular relationship starter hadn’t served her well. It would be smart to remember that.
    Grace picked up her purse, making up her mind to keep the outing brief and platonic. They’d reminisce a bit about high school days, have a laugh or two, and then he’d head home to wherever he came from, and she’d get back to the business of coffee. It was best that way.
     
    ***
     
    “Mind if we stop at my apartment?”
    “Not at all.” He smiled his heart-stopping smile, and Grace almost tripped. Sunglasses covered his beautiful eyes and reflected more of herself than she cared to see. Did she look as jittery as she felt?
    “I won’t be long. Just need to change this shirt. It’s warmer than I thought it would be.”
    “No problem. Take your time.”
    They arrived at the alley by her apartment, and Grace all but ran up the steps, leaving Alex to fend for himself down below. Never mind that she’d invited him up the night before. She unlocked her door with slightly shaking hands. It was unlike her to be so rattled.
    She changed quickly and resisted the urge to touch up her make-up.  Grabbing a jacket for later when the weather inevitably cooled, she trotted back down the steps to join him. Rounding the corner, she found him looking in the window of an antique shop.
    “Okay, I’m all set.” She used her very best chipper voice. “I’m assuming we’ll walk down to the beach? It’s only about a mile, and it’s such a great day.”
    “Sounds good,” he agreed.
    “So, do I get to know why you decided to look me up after ten years? And how you found me?” she asked as they started to walk.
    “I think I’ll save that for while we’re sitting at the beach.”
    She sighed. “There is never a direct answer with you, is there?” She skipped a step to keep up with him. “Know what? I think …” she pulled her hair up into a ponytail, “I’ll run.” She angled in front of him, took the corner, and ran down the street toward the water.
    It wasn’t long before she heard his steps pounding behind her and a terrified surge of energy sent her over the crest of the hill leading down to the beach. Her legs screamed in protest. It had been too long since she’d run.
    A moment later he powered by, saluting her as he passed. She wished she had something to throw at him to wipe that smug look off his face. He didn’t even look winded.
    Focusing her energy on keeping her feet beneath her, she managed to run down the hill and join him at the water a few moments later. She walked the last few steps, trying to calm her breathing before she reached him. She would not be wheezing when she acknowledged his victory.
    He calmly turned as she approached. “Oh, you walked. That’s why - never mind.”
    She gritted her teeth and bared them into a smile. “I had to let you win. You’re my guest. Sort of.” Way too long a sentence. She sucked in more air.
    “Very generous of you.”
    “You’re welcome.” She managed that without a gasp.
    “This is so amazing.” Alex took in the view. The afternoon sun danced in waves of light on the water.
    “It is beautiful. I don’t get down here enough.”
    “You should make it a point to enjoy it more - for those of us who don’t have access to it.”
    “And what do you have access to?”
    He smiled. “Chicago, mostly, which is great. I love the city, and we do have Lake Michigan, but this …” he spread his arms. “It’s different.”
    She looked out over the water. It really was spectacular. She’d have to make a point to start running again while the weather still allowed it.
    He took her hand. “This okay? Wanna walk?”
    “Sure,” Grace agreed. It was a sweet gesture, but it didn’t have to mean anything.
    They strolled along quietly for a few minutes, enjoying the view. Grace marveled that they were so comfortable together, even in the silence. She finally broke it. “So tell me what’s in Chicago.”
    “Well, I went to school at Northwestern -