She stands there in hot pink spandex and cycling shoes, staring at my bike like it might suddenly grow teeth, and all I can think is that she’s beautiful in a way that sneaks up on you.
Big blue eyes, wide and expressive, framed by dark lashes that make every emotion easy to read. Long brown hair pulled back in a low ponytail that exposes the graceful line of her neck. Soft curves that make my hands itch to touch. Full hips. Full breasts. A body that looks strong and feminine and very real.
And right now? Very, very tense.
“I thought you meant—” she starts again, gesturing at herself.
“Cyclist,” I finish for her, smiling despite myself.
“Yes.” She huffs out a breath. “That. Exactly that.”
I chuckle, because the misunderstanding is adorable. Not in a condescending way. In athis is a woman who walked into the unknown because she said yes to lifeway.
“I should’ve been clearer,” I admit. “That one’s on me.”
She looks at the bike again, then back at me. “I’m not… I don’t even know where to start with this.”
“That’s okay.” I soften my voice without thinking about it. “We’ve got time.”
Her gaze flicks to my leather jacket, my boots, the motorcycle behind me. “You’re really a biker.”
“Motorcyclist,” I say again, more gently this time. “But yeah.”
She lets out a nervous laugh. “I can’t believe I dressed like this.”
“You look great,” I say honestly.
Her eyes narrow. “You’re biased.”
“Probably.” I shrug. “But I still mean it.”
She hesitates, then asks, “You said your sister signed you up for this?”
“Sort of.” I lean back against the bike, crossing my arms. “She’s the one who organized the auction.”
“That makes sense.”
“A few of her bachelors backed out last minute.” I grimace. “She was scrambling.”
“And you were… backup?”
“Desperation recruit,” I confirm. “She knew I’d already be here.”
“Why were you supposed to be here?”
I hesitate for half a second, then answer honestly. “I was supposed to be attending a wedding.”
Her brows lift. “Supposed to be?”
“Didn’t happen.” I shake my head. “Long story. Involves a groom who decided not to go through with it.”
“Oh.” She winces. “Yikes.”
“Yeah.” I exhale. “Anyway, when the wedding fell apart, my sister decided I was free game.”
Mindy studies me, something thoughtful in her expression. “And you said yes.”
“I did.”
