Page 86 of One Small Spark
Even before factoring in Wren in a swimsuit.
She tilts her face closer, looking stern. “But if we get there and it’s a bunch of naked old men, I’m out.”
“Agreed.”
TWENTY-FOUR
WREN
I really should not have ordereddessert. The pasta’s going to do a number on my stomach as it is. But the zabaglione sounded so good, I couldn’t resist. Plus, it’s still early. And fine. If I’m being totally honest, I’m not ready for the night to end. Even if Shepherd is trying to widen my activities bubble to include outdoorsy things.
And possibly naked people.
But I’m enjoying myself. Despite this night happening entirely due to scheming ladies and subterfuge.
Okay. Maybe I’m enjoying making Shepherd squirm, too. I might have unnecessarily licked my spoon as I ate my creamy custard dotted with strawberries. The way his gaze is stuck on my mouth like nothing in the world could be more important than whatever my lips do next? Kind of intoxicating.
He clears his throat, his eyes tracking the movement as I lick a spot of custard from my lips. “What, uh…what kind of state is your bike in?”
He’s so cute, searching for a solid distraction. I’ll have mercy on him.
“The tires are flat and crunchy. I wouldn’t trust thebrakes. The handle grips are brittle and falling apart. There’s rusty bits everywhere. I don’t know what else.” I picture it, forgotten in a corner in the garage. “The license plate that says ‘Girl Power’ is in good shape.”
That seems to focus his attention away from my mouth. “That’s all doable. I can come pick it up sometime. I doubt you’ll want to ride it before spring, but I can have it ready for you in a couple of weeks.”
“How much will fixing all that stuff cost?” If it’s going to come close to the price of a basic bike, I won’t bother. I’m not even sure I want to ride in the first place. I sure don’t want to spend a lot of money on the experience.
But oh, it would make August so happy if we could ride together when he visits.
Shepherd looks at me like I’m speaking Dutch. “There’s no cost.”
I see what he’s doing, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. “There must be some cost. Replacing those parts isn’t free. Your labor isn’t free.”
He just pins me with a dead-eye stare. “I’m not going to charge you, Wren.”
Ugh, saying my name like that is so rude. Now I probably look as dazed as he did a minute ago with the spoon incident.
“Is there a friends and family discount at Get in Gear?”
“Something like that.”
“Does that mean we’re friends now?” No! I was supposed to ask all cynically with a tough edge to my voice. Not soft and uncertain, like something vital hangs on his answer.
He must hear it, too. The man smirks—my new most-slash-least favorite sight in the world. “Something like that.”
My phone buzzes in my purse. Shepherd turns to where he left his on the booth beside him, and it’s buzzing just asinsistently. Our friends are back in the chat. I’m starting to regret finagling my way into that invitation to romance book club.
Well. Not really.
Isabel: I hope Shepherd and Wren were able to salvage the evening
Isabel: Did you have a nice night without us?
Fran: And is another night without us on the horizon?
Barb: They might not want to do a tell-all in the group chat
Nora: But we all want to know
