We find two seats at the bar. A red neon sign that reads Ravens Ridge Riders hangs above a wall of liquor bottles.
After a while, a man sits next to me, smiling, and says, “Well, hello.”
He has dark wavy hair and deep brown eyes. Tattoos snake up both arms.
“I’m JT.” He holds out his hand, and I shake it.
“Ash.”
“Oh.” His eyes widen. “Shane’s baby sister.”
I nod.
“He threatened all of us before you got here.”
“What?” I ask.
“Yep, if anyone touches you”—he makes a slicing motion across his neck—“he’ll kill ’em.”
My eyes bulge, and my mouth pops open.
“Unfortunately for Shane, I can take him,” he laughs.
If you didn’t know he was in a motorcycle club, you could mistake him for a GQ model. He’s taller than Shane, and his shirt clings to his lean body.
“Well, unfortunately for you, I’m not interested in anyone from this club.”
Well, no one who’s interested inme.
He nods. “Well, if that changes, you know where to find me. With that being said, I’m agreatfriend.”
“Good to know.” I grin.
“So, who’re you looking for?” At my pinched expression, he huffs. “Oh, come on. That door isnotinteresting enough to earn this much of your attention.” He darts his eyes over, then back, and over again dramatically.
“I uh?—”
Have I been doing that?
“No, I’m just paranoid. My last time here was, well… not great.”
“I heard.” He gives me a sad smile. “Nothing like that will happen tonight. Anyone even looks at you wrong I’ll snap their neck.” He smiles for real this time.
“What? Why?”
“We’re friends now.” He nudges me with his elbow.
“We are?” I giggle. “I don’t remember agreeing to that.”
“Yeah, well.” He shrugs. “I decided we are.”
Squinting, I bite my bottom lip before saying, “You’re trouble, aren’t you?”
“Oh, fuck yeah. I’m the most trouble, but I’ve got your back.” He winks. “Always.”
I don’t know why, but I want to be his friend. Have you ever met someone and you just instantly know that you can trust them? That’s what it’s like meeting JT. There’s something so warm about him that I feel like we could talk all night.
“Okay, deal. We can be friends.”
