“Uh huh, Don’t rush back over here now.” Jessa teased.
I rolled my eyes and sat down across from them. Aubree was in between bites before she finally said anything.
“I see you caught Duke’s eye. He is usually quiet and to himself. At least from what I’ve noticed being here. Mind you, I’m just as new as you, but I hear all the gossip at the shop.”
I shook my head.
“I’m not trying to have his attention. I don’t want anyone’s attention, period. I just want to settle in and get my shop up and running.”
Jessa shrugged and stood once her name was called. I returned my attention back to Aubree, who was now taking a sip of her water.
“Speaking of your shop, how is the prepping going? You need any help to get things together?” she asked.
“I think I got it. I should be ready for the grand opening this weekend. I just hope people like what I have to bring to this town. I’ve never sold my deserts before.”
Aubree waved me off with a smile. “Girl please, I tried your stuff and trust me. You’re going to have a steady line around the corner on the regular.”
“I hear you.”
Jessa called my name as she stood in front of the truck. I turned to glance over my shoulder and those steel-gray eyes caught me immediately. He ran his tongue over his lower lip and then took a drink of his water. Then turned and continued to talk to the two guys standing near him, but not before he shot a wink in my direction.
I couldn’t help the smirk that slipped, so I returned my attention back to Jessa, who was sporting a knowing grin.
“I got your food. You need napkins?” she asked.
I nodded and turned back around. I needed to eat and get the hell out of here.
“Aye, you hear me?”Juelz asked.
I heard him, but my undivided attention was on the woman with the Toni Braxton haircut. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I knew her from somewhere. She didn’t have the kind of face that you could forget. Shit, or the body that wouldn’t live in your mind like a walking wet dream.
“Mhm, let’s ride. I got some shit to handle and I need to stop by the store. That was my last bag of skittles.”
“Man. I’ll just meet you at the bar in an hour or two.”
“Yeah, do that.” I responded, my attention still on her.
Juelz kissed his teeth and shook his head while walking ahead of me towards the bikes lining the sidewalk. The chrome paint on my Harley caused reflections of rainbows to dance on the sidewalk. I stepped up beside it and ran my hands over the smooth black leather.
I swung my leg over the seat like I’d done it a thousand times—because I had. Movements smooth, easy. No rush. No hesitation. The leather was warm under me, broken in just right, like the bike knew me as well as I knew it.
Gripping the handlebars, I settled in, rolling my shoulders once before leaning forward. This was the part nobody saw unless they were close, the quiet before the engine growled, and the stillness that came right before the motion.
My hands wrapped around the throttle, fingers brushing the grips like an old habit. I didn’t need to think. My body knew exactly what to do.
With a flick of my wrist and a deep-throated rumble, the engine came alive beneath me was low, steady, and full of promise.
I didn’t need to look in her direction to know she liked what she saw. I knew what I looked like on this bike. And for some reason, with her, I wanted her to see it.
At last, I glanced over in her direction and winked. I chuckled as she quickly looked away once she realized I’d noticed her watching.
I lifted my foot from the concrete and let the bike carry me into that familiar ride I’d quickly become addicted to after my first time. I took Main Street all the way down until I reached Sammy’s Corner Store in the Parks.
“Duke! Duke! Duke!” three little voices shouted in unison.
I glanced over my shoulder with a smile; I had become really cool with a few of the kids in the neighborhood.
Even though their little asses were bad as fuck, it was only because they didn’t have anything to keep them occupied while they were out of school. That was one of the main reasons I hosted the backpack fundraiser.
