Midnight Run Read Online Free PDF

the dark, Nora could see the frost covering the
ground, adding to the strange effect.
    When they finally finished running two short
laps around the park, Nora’s legs were ready to give out, and she
was drenched in cold sweat. I really should have started half
marathon training alone before joining this group; she thought.
A few of the other runners seemed as tired as Nora, though, and the
guy who was wearing the flashing light was breathing even harder,
so Nora tried to check her self-criticism as they went through a
cool-down together. Now that she’d had a chance to catch her
breath, her thoughts kept straying to the lanky Texan stretching
out on the ground a few feet away from her. He must have felt her
eyes on him, because after a moment, he looked up and gave her a
broad smile. Nora looked away fast, feeling as if he’d caught her
doing something she shouldn’t. Well, he did; he has a
girlfriend, Nora reminded herself, thinking of the leggy blond
from the coffee shop. You shouldn’t even be dreaming.
    When the group was done, clipboard woman came
over to Nora. “How was your first midnight run?”
    Nora grinned. “Intense! Thanks for including
me.”
    “Any time. A bunch of us usually go out
after; tonight, we’re headed for Spanky’s Diner. Want to come?”
    Nora paused, but she shook her head. “I
really shouldn’t. I start an opening shift on Monday, and I should
try and stock up on sleep before the weekend is over.”
    Clipboard woman smiled. “No worries. But will
we see you again?”
    With a furtive glance at the Texan, Nora
grinned. “Absolutely.”
    The other woman stuck out her hand. “I’m
Lynne. Welcome to the group!”
    ***
    After spending nearly two hours running around
Central Park, Nora knew she should have been ready to collapse, but
despite the unbearably early hour, she was wound up. At least it
won’t be hard to be at work so early , she thought to herself as
she crossed the city. It’s too bad Todd didn’t want me to start
right now! Although part of her had wanted to hang out with the
rest of the running group, she’d been both terrified and thrilled
at the thought of spending more time with the lanky Texan, so she’d
used the excuse of sleep to leave the group behind and do a little
thinking.
    What was it about him that set her heart
racing? I really should hate him , Nora reminded herself; the
guy hadn’t even remembered her from the coffee shop. But despite
that, she was drawn to him in a way she couldn’t explain, even to
herself. And maybe , she tried to justify, he just didn’t
recognize me in the dark. It’s not like the park has the best
lighting at night. Still, his reaction to her stung, and Nora
secretly wondered if it was just because there was nothing
memorable about her.
    She was so distracted that she almost missed
her stop on the subway, and she gave herself a mental shake as she
sprinted up the deserted stairs. There’s no reason to be
stupid , she thought, glancing around and checking her
surroundings. After spending five years in New York, Nora’s street
smarts had sharpened, and she’d never really felt unsafe in the
city, but she knew the quickest way to break that winning streak
was to let herself get distracted in a desolate part of town.
Luckily, she made it back to her apartment without issue, and
quietly let herself in.
    Carl had left a note on the coffee pot for
her, and Nora almost laughed when she saw it. “Don’t forget to keep
an eye out for a guy!” Still smiling, Nora crumpled up the note and
scribbled one in return. If only Carl knew about Tex!

CHAPTER SIX
    Kingston had to fight the
urge to check over his shoulder during the run; the new girl
reminded him of the pretty barista he still hadn’t worked up the
nerve to really talk to. Well, except for her hair, he
thought, trying to match his strides to his breathing as the group
made their first loop of the park. And the glasses . He shook
his head. “You’re just so hung up on her