My eyes turn to Violet who is now a bright shade of pink. She’s doing her best not to look at Eric’s shirtless torso. I should warn him to be careful around Violet. She’s quiet and introverted. A guy as boisterous and arrogant as Eric could ruin her for life. As I take my first step toward him, I spot Eric talking softly to Violet, and then he places his hand on her back and leads her out the door to the deck. Hell. Maybe I don’t have to worry.
“I guess that means we’re cooking, son.”
I turn to see Lainie’s dad next to me. “Sure, Rob. Right after I show you something. It’s out here.” I lead him into my garage through the door in my kitchen.
This is his first time at my place so when he sees the bikes in my garage, he gasps. “Wow, you’ve got quite a collection.”
“I do. I’ll need to cut back as soon as Lainie gets…” Shit, we’re not supposed to mention about us trying to get pregnant.
“Good. I’m glad your priorities are in order.” He chuckles. “For the record, I can’t wait for a grandbaby.”
“Shit. Don’t tell her I told you, would ya?”
He arches a brow. “I won’t tell her you fucked up and spilled, son.”
I laugh because I’ve never heard him cuss before. “Here.” I point to something I’ve got covered up in the corner. I wait until he catches up to me and then I lift the cover.
“Shit. Are you kidding me?”
“Nope. It’s a ’70 Triumph Bonneville.”
“A T120,” Rob says with awe. “How long have you had this one?”
“A while. It’s been sitting in the back of the garage at the shop waiting its turn. I got it as a trade for a modification on another bike.”
Rob runs his fingers over the re-tooled leather seat and the cerulean blue gas tank. “What’d you have to do to get it looking like this?”
I listed the work we did on the bike, including the leather work, paint job, new motor, and some other parts that needed to be re-chromed.
“It’s beautiful.” Rob’s hand runs over the bike like it’s precious. “Can I take it for a spin later?”
“Anytime.” I hand him the keys. “It’s yours.”
He blinks at me and I swear his eyes get shiny. “What?” he sounds raspy.
“It’s for you.”
“No. I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Why would you give me a bike?”
I step closer to him. “Rob, you’re my soon-to-be father in law and more of a father than mine ever was. Not only that, you’re going to be the future grandfather to my kids. Lainie’s told me about all of your sacrifices after Rachel died. You’re the best man she knows.” And Lainie doesn’t bullshit. “To me, the best man the woman I love knows, deserves this bike.”
“It’s too much. It’s got to be worth twenty grand.”
I shrug. “It’s probably worth that now but I got it for a song and the work was a labor of love.”
He looks at me. “Seriously?” His eyes move back at the vintage bike. “You sure?”
“Positive. You just need to get it registered and insured. I’ve got it insured now if you want to ride it home today.”
“Christ, Keeton. I’m not sure I can put into words what this means to me.”
“No words needed. Just say you’ll let me marry your daughter.”
“Oh,” he chuckles. “Is this a bribe?”
