“It’s good when you know your strengths.”
“Fuck you, Prez.”
“Nope.Love is love and all that, but you’re not my type, Dan.”
“Whatisyour type, Tinder?”That came from one of the club’s bunnies, who was already treading too close to the meeting room’s threshold.
“Not fucking you.”She got a sharp shake of his head as he crowded her space.“You don’t belong in the church room, woman.You know that.”
“I heard Riley gets to go in sometimes.”She was trying to play wounded while still aiming for arch, and neither was attractive on her.
“Because Riley’s under the club’s protection.”Tinder was now standing close enough she had to crane her neck to look up at him.“And you are fucking not.”
She pulled in a sharp breath, and Dan prepared to get in between them, but she backed down quickly, turning on her heel to walk away.
“Dumbass.”
“Seconded.”Dan looked around and found Riley sitting in the ole lady corner with Ella and Maria.“I need me some Riley.See ya, Prez.”
“See ya.”
Chapter Seventeen
Riley
A few months later, Riley followed Ella blindly through a crowd, hanging onto her friend’s hand with bare fingertips as she was led from one side of the packed ballroom to the other.Ella looked over her shoulder, blonde plait hanging down, face lit by her contagious excitement.“Almost there,” she called as they wove between two lines of people.“Almost there.”
Riley glanced behind them to find Raggedy Dan and Mad Dawg following closely, both men laden down with bags and packages.This might be Riley’s first book signing, but she could shop with the best of them.
“Dawn,” Ella crowed, rounding the edge of a table.“I wasn’t sure if you’d be able to find time for me.Made my day when I got your text.”She pulled free from Riley’s grip to wrap a woman in her arms.D.M.Earl, as the banner above her head read, hugged Ella back just as tightly.
“Sistah, you know I wouldn’t miss seeing you for the world.”Dawn looked up and held out her hand.“Hi, sugah, I’m Dawn.”
“Riley Monroe.I’ve enjoyed reading your books.”Wasn’t a lie, because as soon as she’d heard there was another book signing in Texas, Riley had done her homework, devouring works by different authors who would be in attendance, Dawn among them, all highly recommended by Ella.“Thanks for sharing your stories with the world.”
“Well, Riley Monroe, you look like a sistah to me.Do you ride?”