by Olivia Bredbenner

Created on: January 20, 2012   Last Updated: May 17, 2012

As a runner he rose early every morning jumped into his sweatsuit and then ran out the door. He watched as his warm breath visibly played with the morning's cool air. He ran for miles, then crossed the San Francisco Bridge area and always made it back home as the sun rose and took the night's fading shadow.

He would then pour orange juice, and drink it down as he quickly showered. This was his routine everyday before he went to the office.

Evan had relocated to California after a job offer and he soon fell in love with the area. He was pretty much a private guy and those who hadn't met him yet called him “ The guy in the sweatsuit”

Sue was one of his greatest admirers and would sip her coffee every morning as she looked out the window of her building. She couldn't help see and admire Evan's self discipline. She laughed at her own inability to get her butt out of bed each day. She was lonely, especially since her last relationship went down the drain.  “I need to meet someone that can get me up early every day and run, someone like the guy in that sweatsuit “ she thought to herself.

Sue worked in the local book store and waited for word on her admission to college. The store was located near the campus and she spent most of her time restocking the textbooks that were in high demand. The rest of the time she set up the small cafe area and then read the best sellers. Sue enjoyed conversations with shoppers  and that usually inspired a purchase, without giving away what the book was about.

Evan was always the lingerer in the book store, he would camp out at a small booth with a cup of coffee and nestle into a book. Sue pretty much took him for granted. They only briefly smiled at each other. Although he never made a purchase he bought a good share of the coffee.

After the hum of midday the book store seemed almost empty, with only the occasional student doing homework in the back of the store. This is when Sue's boredom would set in. She would spend the rest of her day on her laptop checking out Internet dating sites for the man of her dreams.

She had a Friday night date set up with someone new, his picture was somewhat comedic and he was light-hearted and friendly during phone conversations. So after all the background checks, she was looking forward to meeting him. Even the rainy evening didn't dampen her spirits. They were to meet in a local Italian restaurant.

They both burst out laughing when she realized she knew him from the bookstore. Evan was very sure it was her. Although he wanted to see how it played out.  Relief filled the air and their conversation easily took the time between red wine and a pasta dinner.

They then realized that they were the last couple sitting in the restaurant, blinded by the joy of each others company, they didn't notice until the waiter began putting chairs on top of the tables in preparation for mopping the floors.

They  made plans to get together the next night and each in their euphoria hung on to the last minutes together after a goodnight kiss.” I'm off tomorrow”  Sue casually mentioned.

“That's great, it's early I know but would you like to go running with me in the morning? “ Evan asked.

Suddenly Sue pictured him . Yes it was him , “ the guy in the sweatsuit” she said out loud. She then knew she had found her man.

Learn more about this author, Olivia Bredbenner.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.