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“Do friends hold hands?” I whispered. This didn’t feel like being careful. This didn’t feel like grieving. I felt wild and reckless. He was so tall and strong and ruggedly beautiful in a way that made my tummy flutter.

“You want to play this off as just friends, tell me now because I want everyone in there to know you’re with me.”

Crazy and foolish. Another bad decision. But he was right. No one here knew Mrs. Bardot. I could just be the girl with a Heller. “I’m with you.”

A maelstrom of emotions swirled within me. A reckless need to feel alive chased any fear of consequences. No one had to know.

Steele

Inside the chapel, the music was loud and the bar was busy. I scanned the room. Sully sat with Tank and a couple others playing cards. Blade, Romeo, and the rest of the board were in their usual spot at the president’s table.

A round of cheers erupted from the pool table platform. McKelle had a hand on her hip as Vega collected his winnings.

Jaymi scanned the room, and she took a half step closer to me. “Do you know everyone here?”

I glanced around. “Yeah. Some better than others. I haven’t been around long.”

The room was packed. Hana and her group of girls were at their normal table. Old timers played cards and hung out by the oil drum. Bullet and Rogue had a table with Stormy and Jazzy.

I directed Jaymi to the left, and we headed in the opposite direction of the board. Jazzy could bust my balls tomorrow.

“Do you want a drink?”

She nodded and kept her fingers linked with mine as I led her across the room to the Altar. Seven and Rizz worked behind the bar.

“Jack.” I held up two fingers. “Doubles. One on the rocks.”

Rizz leaned over the counter. “Jazzy was looking for you about an hour ago. Board brought the vote on the charity ride for the domestic shelter to the floor.”

“Shit.” Missing a vote was going to get my ass handed to me. “Thanks.” I gave him a twenty while I could still afford it.

Tomorrow, I’d let Romeo know I wanted to get back on the bartending schedule for a couple of weeks while I found a job so I could pay the lawyer I was going to need. I mentally groaned. I’d probably be on probation with the club. One more thing I’d have in common with Kodiak. Another stain on Bullet for sponsoring my ass into the MC.

I couldn’t regret it because I wouldn’t have run into Jaymi. No matter what I told myself Tuesday night and Wednesday morning when I rode away from her place, I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her.

I handed Jaymi her whiskey. “I’m glad you’re here.”

She tipped the glass to her lips. “Me, too.”

I weaved through the room and led us up to the pool platform. Kodiak was in the corner with Pike and Brenna. There was an empty seat at his table. Kodiak gave us a nod as we approached. His gaze trekked over Jaymi. She wasn’t like one of Bullet’s kittens. She wasn’t a biker girl or a typical old lady. She was soft, refined, quiet but not unapproachable.

She was too good for me, but she was here.

I wrapped my hand around her hip and led her to the chair. I set the leftover pizza on the table and made introductions. “Jaymi, Kodiak. That’s Vega trying to win back the small fortune he’s lost to McKelle. Pike and Brenna.”

Brenna smiled as she sipped a pink drink through a straw.

“You missed church,” Vega said as he lined up his shot. “Jazzy’s going to have your balls in a vice.”

“I’ll work it out with her.” I sipped my drink. Church was mandatory unless there was a good fucking reason. I had one, but I wasn’t going to run it back for everyone in the MC. “If you’re hungry, help yourself,” I said to the group.

“Hearse is out in the lot if you still need it.” Pike flipped open the pizza box and grabbed a slice.

“Change of plans.” Standing behind Jaymi, I brushed my fingertips along her neck. “Lili’s with her mom tonight.”

“Stormy was looking for you earlier.” McKelle walked around the perimeter of the table, approached, and grabbed a slice.

“Stormy is Lili’s ballet teacher,” I said to Jaymi.