Running Into You

K.M. Gillis RUNNING INTO YOU Copyright © 2023 by K.M. Gillis All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission. This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental. K.M. Gillis asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work. K.M. Gillis has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book. First edition ISBN: 978-1-7389469-1-4 Editing by Carley Sugeng Proofreading by Cassie at Weaver Way Author Services Editing by Cassie at Weaver Way Author Services Cover art by Fleurie Design This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy Find out more at reedsy.com For the lovers, the dreamers, and me. “One run can change your day, many runs can change your life.” —Unknown Contents Content Warning Playlist Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Epilogue Bonus Chapter Acknowledgment About the Author Content Warning This novel features a character with anxiety who experiences panic attacks. Playlist Secret Heart—Feist Dancing In The Dark—Lucy Dacus I Love You Bitch—Lizzo Three Six Five—My Friend Dover Beach—Baby Queen Elevator Love Song—Stars Sweet Disposition—Sawyer Maps—Yeah Yeah Yeahs Say It—Flume, Tove Lo I Always Knew—The Vaccines My Heart’s Always Yours—Arkells Between Two Lungs—Florence + The Machine Go First—Rose Cousins World Spins Madly On—The Weepies august—Taylor Swift What If I Love You—Gatlin Love They Say—Tegan and Sara Stronger Than You Know—The East Pointers Love—CHVRCHES Prologue Ten Years Earlier Betty For the love of God, Betty, get your shit together. I’ve changed my outfit four times in the span of thirty minutes. Four times. Finally settling on a pair of bootleg jeans and my navy crewneck over my white camisole tank with the lace on the bottom, I finish stuffing my already overstuffed backpack and stomp downstairs. The stairs underneath my feet creak in protest with every step I take. “Why do you keep changing your clothes?” my father asks, not looking up from his newspaper as I enter the kitchen. His horn-rimmed glasses rest lightly on the bridge of his nose as he stares down at the black-and-white print. The pencil in his hand suggests he is working on today’s crossword puzzle. The flecks of gray he’s begun to sprout stand out amongst the rest of his dark brown hair. “Huh?” “Say ‘Pardon,’ Elizabeth. Why do you keep changing your clothes?” “I… I haven’t been,” I stammer. “In the last half hour, you’ve reappeared no less than four times wearing completely different outfits, looking perfectly lovely each time I might add.” Why was this man so obnoxiously observant? I never would have received this much interest from my mother, had she ever been at home. He peers at me now with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. “I couldn’t decide how to dress for the weather. It’s unseasonably warm for October.” I heard my drama teacher Mrs. Long say this to another teacher yesterday and thought it sounded smart. “Actually, these temperatures are quite typical for Maine when you look at recent annual averages…” “Okay, dad!” I groan, cutting him off mid-sentence. “I’m heading to Rilla’s for the night. I will be back before noon tomorrow. Please don’t forget to feed Roz!” My father returns his full attention to today’s edition of The Herald. “If, in the unlikely event, I were to forget, I am certain Rosaline would remind me.” As if on cue, my 17 lb short-haired Tabby, Roz, takes this opportunity to saunter lazily into the kitchen. I go to her and affectionately scratch behind her ears, and she responds by pushing her head appreciatively against my hand with impressive force. I pull the heavy backpack on and head outside into the brisk October air. Unseasonably warm my ass, Mrs. Long. My breath is visible and forms clouds around my face as it leaves my mouth. I should have brought a jacket or at least gloves. Thankfully, Rilla only lives two streets over. I jaywalk across my quiet street and take a well-worn shortcut between a pair of three-story Brownstones. I use the time to assess my appearance. Hair: Washed this morning, will still look fine tomorrow. Clothes: Cute and casual. I mean casual at least. Cute might be a stretch. Face: Same as it always looks. Eyes too big, mouth too small, nose perfectly average aside from a scattering of freckles. By the time I make it to the Pines’ front door, I’ve convinced myself I should have stuck with the skirt and turtleneck combo. I raise my hand to knock but before I get the chance, the door swings open to reveal Josh, Rilla’s older brother. “Oh.