Page 34 of Off the Wall

As we continue through town, Nori shifts her focus back out the window. By now, the sun’s fully dropped below the horizon, and my heart sinks too. For her. Overhead, the firststars are winking in the sky. Or maybe those are planets. I studied spines, not solar systems. What Idoknow is Nori’s life just got more complicated, and I want to make things easier on her.

What would a busy friend do under these circumstances?

Think, Cash. Think.

As we get closer to our building, the streetlights cast oval pools across the road, and trees shed flowers that collect like pink snowflakes along the sidewalk. I think they’re dogwoods, but don’t quote me. The Serendipity’s ahead, tall and majestic in the twilight. I wait for the dotted line indicating a break in the bike lane, then turn into the alley that leads to our parking deck.

The bike lane. That’s it!

“I’ve got a mountain bike you could borrow,” I say, maneuvering down the narrow road. “It’s a pretty nice one, actually.”

“Thanks.” Nori breathes a small sigh. “But you heard the tow truck guy. Ordering parts for a discontinued model could take weeks. What if you wanted to use your bike and I rode it to work?”

“That won’t happen.” I pull into the three-story parking deck and slowly make my way up the levels. “I don’t ride anymore.” I take a beat. “Ever.”

“Oh.” Nori turns to me, lifting her brow in a silent question, but she doesn’t directly press for answers.

“The thing is, Ican’tride anymore.”

I have no idea why I just shared that. Maybe talking to Nori feels safer because she knows nothing about my past. Has zero expectations. No agenda. She doesn’t want anything from me. If anything, Nori’s trying to refuse my help.

Still, a familiar tightness commandeers my chest. My gut tells me I can trust her, but my gut’s been known to fail me.

“Anyway, the bike was expensive,” I admit, “and I barely got to ride it.”

“That’s too bad.” Her voice is soft, but she’s still not digging for anything more.

I like this about her.

“I just hate feeling like the whole thing was a waste.” I ease the truck into my assigned spot and throw it into park. “So you’d be doing me a favor. Using my bike, I mean.”

Nori chews at her lip. “I haven’t ridden one in ages, and my skills were already wildly subpar. It’s kind of embarrassing, to be honest.”

“It’ll come back to you.” I kill the engine. “The phrase ‘it’s like riding a bike’ is a cliché for a reason.”

Hopping out of the truck, I jog around to get the passenger door for Nori, but she’s already opened it. When I reach out to help her down, her hand practically disappears in mine. Her palm is soft and smooth. I swallow, ignoring the spark of electricity running up my arm.

We drop hands.

“Anyway, I was thinking we could take the bike out for a test drive,” I suggest. “Just to see if you’re comfortable.”

Nori ducks her head, glancing at the stretch of visible sky. “I think it’s getting too dark.”

“I didn’t mean tonight.” I puff out a laugh. “When’s your next day off?”

She cocks her chin. “Thursday.”

I squint, searching my brain for my upcoming schedule. “I’ve got an early case that morning, but if I get a break in the day, and you happen to be around, we could fit in a practice ride.”

“You’re sure you’re willing to risk me wrecking your bike?”

“A bike I don’t ride?” My mouth quirks. “Least I could do for a neighbor.”

She holds my gaze. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

“Because Iamnice, Nori Sinclair.”

Her lips slide into a smile. “Yes, I guess you are.”

---