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“Oh, now you ask.”
Mack spread his hands and bobbed his head. “You’re right. Shoulda run it past you first, but hell, one look at her and—”
“Yeah. Yeah. I was there. Don’t need the replay.”
“So? You good?”
“I’m fine. Not so sure she is.”
“What do you mean?”
Cole shrugged. “She was having second thoughts about this last night. Thinking maybe she was in over her head.”
Mack looked toward the bedroom door. “Yeah. Maybe this was a bad idea.”
“I think you make her nervous.”
Mack grunted. “I seem to have that effect on women. The good ones anyway.” He took a sip of his coffee, and then looked up at Cole. “Maybe you should come with us. It’d probably make her feel more at ease.”
Cole almost laughed. “You’re kiddin’ me, right? I don’t think so. Not interested in bein’ the third wheel here.”
Mack took a sip of his coffee. “I don’t care. You’re comin’.”
Cole smiled, noticing the tremor in Mack’s hand. “Now who’s the nervous one?”
They both turned their heads as Natalie walked out of the bedroom. She was dressed in jeans and a black tank top. A pair of sunglasses hung from between her teeth as she finished braiding her hair over one shoulder
“Good morning.” Mack smiled at her, his eyes sliding over her. “You ready to go?”
She pulled the sunglasses out of her mouth and nodded. “Good morning.” She smiled back at Mack.
“Cole is coming along.”
Natalie looked over at Cole. He tossed the rest of his coffee in the sink and set his cup down. She didn’t think he looked too happy to be tagging along on their date. But she was glad he was. “That’s wonderful.”
“Yeah. Wonderful,” he agreed sarcastically, leaning back against the counter and folding his arms. “So, where’re we goin’, anyway?”
“Thought we’d ride down the coast,” Mack said. “Maybe stop and have lunch somewhere.”
“Well, she’s a new rider, so you probably don’t want to ride all day,” Cole felt the need to point out.
Mack gave him an exasperated look. “I realize that.”
Natalie looked between the two men and grinned. Cole was going to watch out for her, and she knew she could relax and enjoy the day. Papa Bear was on chaperone duty, and apparently he was taking his responsibility seriously.
They headed out the door.
Mack pulled an extra helmet out of his saddlebag and handed it to Natalie. “Here, darlin’. See if that fits.”
She put it on and he helped her with the strap. “It’s fine. Thanks.”
Cole got on his bike, and sat watching them.
Mack swung his leg over his bike, and Natalie climbed on the back. They both fired up and pulled out.
***
They rode along the coast to Monterey and Carmel. It reminded Cole of the time he’d taken Angel on this same ride, so long ago. They stopped for lunch at a place that looked out over the ocean. They ate seafood and had a great time talking and laughing.
Cole watched Mack and Natalie together. They clicked. Whatever that magic was that some couples found, they had it. Cole smiled, seeing the effect Natalie was having on Mack. He lit up whenever she smiled at him. Cole supposed that was probably the same effect Angel had on him.
They had finished eating lunch and were now relaxing at an outdoor table.
Mack stood up as Natalie excused herself.
Cole lit a cigarette and watched as Mack sat back down. He blew a stream of smoke in the air and grinned.
Mack looked over at him. “What?”
Cole shook his head. “I seem to remember someone once telling me not to let a ‘damn broad’ turn my head.”
Mack tried to look menacing, but in the end he couldn’t help but smile. “She’s something. Like nothing I’ve ever had before.”
“Yeah. Well, you ain’t had her yet, Brother.” Cole grinned.
“You know what I mean. She’s different. She’s got class. And she’s smart, and she’s got a great sense of humor.”
“Make a list, why don’t ya?” Cole laughed.
