Tyler doesn’t ask questions about my mom’s visit, and I’m grateful. I go to work the next day less self-conscious in my new clothes, though still hurt about my mom. I did the right thing for both of us, and that’s what’s important. My hope is that someday we can build a relationship based on a genuine foundation, and not me giving her money all the time.
I train with Hayden all day and don’t see Tyler until evening. He’s at the dining table, booting up his computer, when I walk in.
“How was your day?” he asks.
“Better.” I set my purse on the couch.
Tyler stares at me, then at his laptop. He shuts it abruptly. “What do you think about going for a bike ride?”
I don’t say anything at first. Tyler and I have never done anything fun together. The shopping expedition was more a forced situation. “Um, I don’t own a bike.”
“You don’t need one. Just change and meet me out front. If we hurry, we can catch the sunset.”
I stand there, just staring.
He glances up from putting away his computer. “Hurry up, Mira. The sun doesn’t wait for anyone.”
Without another word, I do as he says. When I meet Tyler out front, he’s on his bike, a sweatshirt over his long-sleeved T.
I zip up my fleece jacket and pull a knit cap over my head, the waves of my hair tickling my cheeks. “I still don’t own a bike, Tyler.”
“Not a problem. We’ll do this like we did the last time. It’s only a few blocks to the beach.”
Like the last time. In the woods? When I rode on his lap? “I’m not sure this is such a good idea.”
He studies my face. “Chicken?”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, right.” But I totally am. Doesn’t stop me from walking over.
He opens his arm. “Sit sideways so your legs stick out the side. I’ll take care of the rest.”
I do as he says and slide across the top of his thighs. There’s no way for us to make this work without me wrapping my arm over his broad shoulders and sitting high up, right above his crotch.
He lifts me and makes some kind of adjustment. I focus my gaze anywhere but on his face, inches away.
“Don’t be afraid to hold on tight,” he says with a naughty wink.
He’s flirting with me? Right as the thought crosses my mind, Tyler takes off with a jerk and I yelp, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing my chest to his.
“Good hold, but I need to breathe.” He chuckles.
“Okay, speed demon, then slow down. You’re going to kill us.” I close my eyes as we pass our neighbors’ houses in a whirl and turn down a side road to the main strip.
“Have a little faith. I won’t let anything happen to you, Mira.” There’s a serious undertone to his words.
I glance up to see him staring at me. My stomach tightens, my heart speeding up. It would be so easy to fall back in love with Tyler—assuming I ever fell out of love with him.
Tyler
This bike ride is a wee bit different from our last one together. For one thing, I’m infinitely aware of every curve of Mira’s body pressing down on places that don’t need more encouragement to make their presence known. And her vanilla scent is driving me nuts.
I don’t know why I asked her to come with me. I hadn’t planned on going for a ride, but when she walked in the door my chest did a little lurch and my blood started rushing through my veins. I couldn’t stand the thought of another evening spent avoiding each other. I said the first thing that came to mind. Considering I have her in my lap, it turned out to be a genius idea.
I ride to the stairs to the lake that are located closest to our cabin.
Our cabin? Since when did Cali’s house become my and Mira’s place?
Mira slides off and stands beside me. “We’re not too late,” she says, staring at the sun as it sets behind the mountain range.
