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He frowns, his interest piqued enough that he takes a step closer. “Why would you be nervous?”
My fingers wrap around the handle of the garage door, and I pull it up.
My heart’s pounding so hard.
His eyes move past me, and then I watch as his features freeze, his body going visibly tense.
“I—umm… I—”
“Is that?” His voice comes out a choked whisper I barely catch. He walks into the garage, his eyes glued to the bike.
“It’s your dad’s.”
He straightens, shaking his head in disbelief as he rounds the bike. “Did you do this?”
I nod, my stomach churning. “Mason and Elliot don’t know. I found out from Charlie where the bike was, and he said Elliot would never notice if it was missing. I should have asked you, but I wanted it to be a surprise.”
He laces his hands behind his head, eyes glossy as he looks over at me. “Scar… I don’t know what to say.”
I blink back the tears that threaten, my body jittery as I rein in my emotions. “You don’t have to say anything.”
He crouches down and runs his hand over the metal. “It looks perfect. Like it did.”
I clear my throat. “I made sure they knew what they were doing. The guys who fixed it, they’re the best in the country.”
His head shifts toward me, and I give him a wary smile. “You don’t have to keep it—”
He rises to his full height, moving for me. He has me in his arms before I can finish my sentence, his body mashed to mine in a fierce embrace. He walks me to the bike and sets me sideways on the seat.
“Lance—” I try.
He cups my face, bringing his body close. Too close. I swear I can feel him trembling. And seeing the emotion in his eyes, I didn’t expect it. Or if I did, I thought he’d try to hide it from me.
“You fixed my dad’s bike,” he says in awe.
Don’t cry, Scarlet.I nod, catching hold of his forearms. “Yeah.”
His mouth drops to mine, demanding a kiss that’s full of everything he doesn’t want or can’t say.
“Lance.” I pull back. “You like it? You’re happy?”
He shakes his head, his voice a heavy rasp. “Happy doesn’t come close. It’s completely the wrong word.”
“But you’re not mad?”
“Scar, I’m in awe.” His thumb traces my cheekbone, and then he drops his forehead to mine. “The memories I have of being on this bike with him… You never cease to amaze me, sunshine.”
My smile’s instant.
His green eyes dance with a light so bright I wish I could bottle it and use it as night-lights. I knew it would mean something to him, could feel the way his heart beat out of rhythm whenever we talked about his dad, but the happiness in his stare… it hurts my heart how wholesome and perfect this moment feels—that it ever had to happen at all.
“It starts?” he whispers as if he doesn’t believe it’s real.
My eyes widen. I place my hand on his chest, putting distance between us. “Of course.” I jump down and let him get a closer look while I fetch the leathers and helmet I purchased from Ned at the shop. “Here.”
He turns and gazes down at them, and then his throat bobs. “Did you get a second pair?”
“No,” I tell him, knowing I should have. I didn’t want to take this moment away from him. It’s his memory to have. “But the guy in the shop threw this in with the price.” I walk to the bag of things I’d purchased and pull out the second helmet.
