Page 28 of The Overdue Kiss

When Granny died, something inside me broke too. Even numbers didn’t compute. Reese turned to alcohol, and I folded inside myself, shutting off the world until there was only darkness. I lost my teaching position at Dartmouth College, spiraling until the day I bumped into Chris and he invited me to go riding with him and his friends one evening.

It changed my life.

And just like it had years ago, the longer we ride, the more the tight vise around my chest eases. It’s better—and cheaper—than therapy.

But still, one name ping-pongs in my thoughts:Maya.

“Des? You still there?” Chris asks through our synced helmets and jolts me to the present.

Thor’s head dips closer to his side mirror. “I see him. What’s wrong, Teach?”

The silence that follows his question makes my insides twist. I know everyone is waiting for me to speak.

“Nothing,” I say.

There’s another weight of silence before Cai sighs. “Is this about the date I set you up with? I thought you said we were good.”

The whole group erupts in chatter, talking over one another through the headsets.

“Date?” Quickly peeking over her shoulder, Chantelle shrieks with excitement and nearly shatters my eardrums. It’s so loud it muffles Chris’s and Thor’s responses.

“It’s not a big deal,” Cai interjects, trying to defuse the bomb he set off.

Talullah shakes her helmet at him. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I’m shocked Des noticed someone flirting with him.” Thor’s deep laugh vibrates in my helmet, and the others join in.

Clover groans, silencing him. “Leave him be. Not everyone is a big flirt like you.”

“Maybe if you all give him a chance to speak, he’d tell us.” Roxy glances back at me before we all lean into the next curve.

“My wife makes an excellent point.” Chris reaches behind him to rest a hand on her knee.

The waiting silence returns, making me cringe.

Eventually, I give in. “There’s nothing to say other than it didn’t work out. If I find someone, I’ll let you know.”

“Would you?” Holt says from beside me, our bikes parallel. His good eye drills into me, saying more than words can.

He wants to know about Maya. Heck, I don’t even know the answer to that.

“Holt knows something,” Thor accuses. “I know that tone.”

They all start up their chatter again, begging me for details.

“I didn’t say anything.” Holt throws a hand in the air.

“You might as well just tell them the whole story so they will leave you alone,” Cai says, blowing out a breath. “In Des’s defense, I suckered him into this date?—‍”

“No, I did,” Talullah cuts in, holding tight to her fiancé’s waist. “She was an old work friend. I had no idea she didn’t like motorcycles.”

The collective groan that ripples through the headset makes my eyes water. Loud noises have always bothered me, which is why for most rides I put in earplugs to combat the noise.

“Good riddance,” Chris says, and the others agree.

“She was nice,” I add, not wanting to hurt Talullah’s feelings. “Just not for me.”

“Is there anything I can use in my next book?”

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