Chapter 579: The Strand

Thursday, March 2nd, Afternoon

It was rare she would be able to get an afternoon jog in at all. Never mind being able to jog on The Strand made it even more special. She always liked to jog on the beach while watching the sunset. Someone once told her working out could be an addiction if it was called her addiction.

As she slowed down to start her cooldowns, she spotted someone familiar waiting for her. Candi shook her head as she closed the distance to him. Once by him, she kept walking and then looped back.

"Hustle anyone recently?" Dr. Brandon Lydon, MD, asked.

"Not today, but the day is still young," Candi said as she stopped and started her cool-down stretches.

"I bet you were always a jock," Brendan said and sat across from her.

Candi removed one of her earbuds and looked at Brendan. "What did you say?" Candi asked.

"I said, I bet you were always a jock," Brendan said.

Candi shrugged, "I guess you could say it until I was a junior; I was always the tallest of my friends," she said.

"Friend had a growth spurt?" Brandan asked.

"Had more friends," Candi said.

"I see," Brendan said.

"So, what brings you out here?" Candi asked.

"I like the beach, and Marcel suggested we spend time together," Brendan said, "He told me you often jog here."

"Okay, well, I'm done jogging," Candi said.

"So, what are you doing now?" Brendan asked.

"Go home and shower, probably read one of the books I need to read," Candi said.

"Ah! Okay," Brendan said.

Candi stood up and looked at Brendan. "I'm probably going to eat as well. Want to join?" she asked.

"You're asking me to dinner?" Brendan asked.

"Yeah, I guess, I hate to eat alone, and you'll do," Candi said.

"Were you always this confident?" Brendan asked.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Candi asked.

"Yeah, I would," Brendan said with a smile.

"Maybe, I'll tell you," Candi said.

"Maybe, you will," Brendan said.

Candi nodded and held out her hand. Brandan took hold of Candi's hand. Candi paused for a second to settle down a bit. After a moment, she pulled Brendan to his feet. Branden dusted himself off once he got to his feet. Candi shook her head and led Brendan to the house.

At the beachside porch, Candi opened the door and showed Brendan in. Brendan looked around the place and nodded. It's not his first time here, he was here for Marcel and Dani's engagement party, but this is the first time he saw it in its normal state. Candi took out her other earbud and turned off her music. She looked at Brendan.

"I'm going to shower; I'll be back in ten minutes," Candi said.

"Okay," Brendan said.

Candi handed Brendan a menu. "Order from here, I want the number seventeen combo, and my account number is on it," she said.

"Are you sure?" Brendan said.

"I usually get a sixteen and seventeen, but I'm not hungry, so, yes, I am," Candi said and started to walk away.

"Do you want anything to drink?" Brendan asked.

"No, we have stuff here," Candi said and went upstairs.

Candi retreated into her room, locked the door, pulled off her sports bra, and grabbed a towel to pat dry her chest. Putting the towel down, she slipped out of her shorts and looked around her room. After a quick sigh, she went to her bathroom and took her shower. After washing off the sweat, dust, and dirt, she stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a towel. After ensuring the towel was secure, she wrapped a towel around her head.

In her room, she removed the towel from around her body. Candi dried herself and looked through her dresser for some clothes. She pulled on some panties and a baggy Duke University t-shirt. Next, she grabbed some yoga pants and pulled them on. After making sure her hair was mostly dry, she brushed it. Taking one last look in the mirror and sighed then left the room.

Candi joined Brendan in the living room. She sat across the coffee table from Brendan. Brendan smiled and looked at Candi.

"Duke University?" Brendan asked.

"Yes, Duke University, I did my undergrad there," Candi said.

"Yeah, that's a good school," Brendan said.

"Also, didn't have to pay a dime for it either," Candi said.

"Rich parents?" Brendan asked.

"Yes, my parents have money, but except for one of my sisters, we all went on scholarships," Candi said.

"What type of scholarship?" Brendan asked.

"Athletic, full ride," Candi said.

"Let me guess, basketball," Brendan said.

"Yes, I went to school because I played basketball," Candi said.

"How many siblings do you have?" Brendan asked.

"Three sisters and a brother," Candi said, "When will the food get here?"

Brendan checked his phone, "A few minutes, where are you in the large family?" he asked.

Candi got up and headed to the kitchen. "What do you want to drink?" she asked.

"What do you have?" Brendan asked.

"Let's see, wine, wine, wine, what a shock wine, sports drinks, wine, and water," Candi said, looking in the refrigerator.

"No beer?" Brendan asked, joking.

"That might be in the fridge in the garage," Candi said.

"So, I guess I'll have wine," Brendan said.

"Red or white?" Candi asked.

"Red," Brendan said.

Candi picked out a bottle and poured two glasses. She carried them over to where Brendan sat. Candi placed a glass in front of Brendan. He picked it up and took a sip.

"So, Doctors without borders," Candi said.

"Yeah," Brendan said.

"Noble calling, what made you do it?" Candi asked.

Before Brendan could answer, the doorbell rang. Candi stood up and went to the door to get their dinner. Brendan sat on the sofa and sipped his wine.