“No one,” I grumble and slump down slightly in my chair.
“I think you were looking for my brother,” she singsongs, far too delighted in the way my face starts to turn pink and then almost bright red. “Oh, from the way you’re blushing, I’d say you have a crush on him.”
“I do not have a crush on your brother. He’s a biker,” I huff as if it’s enough of a reason and makes any fucking sense at all.
We both know it’s hardly a reason after I had the chance to spend some time at the clubhouse, regardless of what people like Sheriff Lyons think about the club. And I didn’t even do a good job of deflecting.
It’s asinine.
Opal just takes a sip of her coffee, her eyes lingering on my face for a moment before she flashes me a bright smile and steers the conversation toward what movies we should watch during our marathon. I’m thankful, but I still think I hear tailpipes in the distance and the lie about not having a crush on Snake sours my coffee.
What a shame. It was delicious.
CHAPTER 8
SNAKE
My booted foot is propped up on the back wall of Bunz Out while my shoulders rest back against it as I wait. For Graycie to get off work. I would applaud my patience, but I’m barely hanging on.
She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m walking her home.
All because Dolly’s beauty of a classic needed an oil change.Did I dilly and dally a little to ensure I couldn’t get to said classic today? Just so I could be right where I am?
Yes.
I did.
But it’s not like I asked Stan to bring it in or anything. I’m just capitalizing on the opportunity presented to me. It’s all very above board.
I’ve been looking for an excuse to see her again other than going into the bakery. No one wants to be ambushed at work and if anyone knew, especially the two knuckle heads I call my best friends, they would be up my ass about being there. Like having an audience is helping anyone.
They need to back off.
I know what my Gracie needs. And she is mine.
Now I’m just waiting for her to get off work and there is nowhere else I would rather be. My heart starts racing when the back door swings open. I hear a huffing sound and then a bag of trash sails out the door.
When I pick it up and head toward the dumpster, Graycie’s head pops around the door. Her hazel eyes look like they’re glowing as they widen in recognition before sweeping down my body and then back up. Slowly on the climb too, by the way.
One side of my mouth tips up in a smirk which has her eyes heating in a way I doubt she’s even aware of.
“Hey, Angel,” I drawl after finishing tossing the trash in the dumpster and heading back to the door to hold it open for her.
“Hey?” She says it more like a question than a statement and it’s fucking adorable. My heart does a strange pitter-patter thing. I’ve never felt anything quite like it.
But I think it’s a good thing?
Yeah, I’m going with a good thing and not some heart palpitation I need to see someone about. With a smile I give a small bow.
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get to the oil change on Dolly’s car.” I’m unsure how I feel about her driving around in a car owned by another man—even if it belonged to his mother before her death—but I push the thought aside for the moment. It’s a problem for another day. “Which means your wheels are out of commission until tomorrow.”
“Oh,” she makes a face, “it’s no problem. I’ll walk. It’s not far and the weather is perfect.” She starts to head down the alley and looks over her shoulder once with a forced smile. “Thanks for letting me know about the S.S. Dolly.”
She’s not wrong, that thing is a boat. Just the thought of my Graycie driving it brings a smile to my face. Does she need phone books to sit on to see over the dashboard?
Graycie tries to walk away, but I catch up to her in only a few strides. It helps that I’ve got some height on her. But I don’t need her to be tall. There’s no doubt in my mind that she’s going to fit against me perfectly.
I shake off the thought as she looks up at me with surprise written all over her face. With a grin curling my lips, I wink at her. Graycie misses a step and stumbles a little, but I’m right there to make sure she doesn’t fall.