“I called Kathryn when you got taken in,” she says. “She handled the bail. I handled transportation.”
I laugh under my breath. “A tandem.”
“Well,” she says, picking up one of the helmets and handing it to me, “I figured this was something neither of us have ever done.”
I look at the bike. Then at her.
“Never have I ever ridden a tandem.”
“Neither have I.”
She steps closer, fastening her own helmet strap under her chin.
“We’re going to have to work together,” she says lightly. “You can’t steer this alone.”
The metaphor isn’t subtle.
I don’t mind.
I set my hands on her waist, pulling her gently back toward me before she can climb on.
She looks up at me, eyes bright in the early light.
I kiss her. Slow. Deep.
Grateful she’s still here. Grateful she wants me here.
When I pull back, I rest my forehead against hers.
“Never have I ever fallen in love on the first date,” I murmur.
Her breath catches.
“I’m not saying that I have. But,” I add, brushing my thumb along her jaw, “I just might be.”
Her smile is soft. “Then we’d better keep pedaling and see if that’s where we’re headed.”
EPILOGUE
MINDY
“Vrrmm vrmm. Vrrrmmmmmm.”
Little Alysa kicks her legs in excitement from the seat mounted to the back of my bike.
“Come on, Mommy. Faster. Faster!”
I chuckle between my huffs and puffs. “Mommy… is… going… as fast… as she… can.”
Which, in fairness, isn’t terribly fast. But I am pedaling uphill at the moment, and I refuse to let a three-year-old shame my cardio.
Behind us, I hear Jesse laugh.
“Careful,” he calls. “You’re going to hurt your mama’s feelings.”
“Daddy go faster!” Amber shouts from her perch on his bike.
“Traitor,” I mutter under my breath, though I’m smiling.
