Page 41 of Bedding the Biker Next Door

Behind them, a car door shut, followed by the call of a young boy. Cole glanced up to see Stanley running up the path while his father stood on the other side of the car, staring at them over the roof.

“Right.” Jill nodded, her words suddenly terse. “Of course, you’re right.” She took several swift steps away from him. “Well, take care, Cole.”

His heart clenched as he watched her take Stanley’s hand and walk toward the house without even glancing back. He could do nothing, say nothing. Could only watch her head inside, and close the door behind her.

* * *

Once inside, Jill frantically blinked back tears, forcing a cheerful note into her voice as she spoke with Stanley. Then, someone knocked on her door. Cole, she thought, her heart skipping with endless possibilities. Had he changed his mind?

Don’t be a fool, Jill, she told herself.

She’d put herself out there, raised a question in hopes that he might consider it, and he’d shot her down, letting her know exactly where she stood with him. She’d been a bit of fun, someone who’d helped him through a difficult time, but now he was returning to his real life, a life that didn’t include her.

When she looked through the peephole, she saw Jason, Stanley’s father. She pasted on a polite smile before opening the door.

“Good morning,” Jason said, peering in.

“Hi. Did Stanley forget something?”

He took a step into the house, and instinctively, she took one back.

“I was wondering if maybe you’d like to have dinner with me sometime? If you’d like to go on a date?” he said.

She glanced at Stanley, who had sat down at the mini table and was now drawing. “I’m sorry, Jason,” she said, finally, “but I’m seeing someone.” At least I was until a few hours ago.

Jason frowned. “Is it the guy next door? The motorcycle guy that Stanley goes on about?”

“I’m sorry. But I’m not comfortable discussing my personal life. Thank you for the invitation, but Stanley and I should probably prepare for the other kids to arrive now.”

Instead of leaving, he continued to stare at her, which made her heart race. Nervously, she licked her lips, cursing when Jason’s gaze followed the movement.

“Yeah, okay,” Jason finally said. “I’ll see you later.”

“Sounds good.” She turned away and closed the door. “Hey, squirt. You ready for some pancakes?” she said to Stanley just as the doorbell rang again. Thank God this time it was Anaya and her mother.

The day was a whirlwind of activity, and Jill kept busy enough that she kept her thoughts about Cole to a minimum.

Later, after all the children were gone, Liz took her hand and led her to the sofa. “Tell me,” she said gently.

Jill smiled sadly. “He’s gone. For good. He’s starting a new job here in LA then moving forward with his plans to move to San Francisco.”

“He could come back. You two could…”

Her words trailed off. Jill shook her head and pressed her lips together doing her best not to cry, but her expression crumpled, and tears filled her eyes.

“Oh, honey, I’m sorry,” Liz said, giving Jill a hug and patting her back.

Jill hugged her friend back tightly for several seconds, then pulled back with a sigh. “He was honest with me from the start. I can’t blame him.”

“Still sucks. Still hurts. And still makes me want to fill his bike’s gas tank with sugar.”

Jill laughed. “Right.” She folded and unfolded and refolded a napkin in her hand, thinking about where she’d go from here.

“So what now?” Liz asked, as if reading her mind.

Jill took a deep breath. “Movie tonight? Some girl time is exactly what I need.”

Liz smiled. “Of course, honey. My treat.”

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