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I can feel myself blush, thinking about some of our conversations. “For someone so rugged and rough around the edges, he’s got this gentle touch that surprises me every time.”
Josie remains silent, sipping her drink, her poker face in place. Nervous energy bubbles inside me. When she finally speaks, her voice is laced with concern. “Soph, I don’t like it.”
I wasn’t expecting her full endorsement, but the bluntness stings a little. “I didn’t think you would,” I admit, forcing a small smile. “But it’s not like I was out hunting for him. It just... happened. And I really like him.”
“Sophie,” she exhales, frustration and worry mixing in her voice, “you know you need to be cautious, right? This isn’t some fairy tale. He’s a biker. And with that life, who knows what kind of criminal he is.”
“Seriously, girl? Dr. Bishop’s a biker, and he’s not a criminal,” I insist. “He’s a veteran and a doctor. Tank is also a veteran.”
“And? Doctors and veterans can’t also be criminals? Have you seen the news these days?” She shakes her head in exasperation. “You work for Dr. Bishop at the clinic. You treat people with him, but you have no fucking clue what he and his biker gang get up to when he leaves.”
“Motorcycle club,” I say because that’s not the point, even though it is an important distinction. “The clinic was opened upbythe Reckless Souls,” I remind her. “They operate tons of legit businesses, including this bar and where you get your car serviced.”
“Even mobsters have legitimate businesses, Sophie.”
I concede the point. “True,” I say slowly. “But politicians aren’t opening up clinics in underserved communities. Billionaires aren’t hiring ex-cons to work their businesses, are they?”
I know I’ve made my point when she sighs again. “He’s abiker, Sophie. A fucking biker.”
I know what she’s saying, and I get it, but I hate it. “Yeah, well, let’s see…I’ve dated an accountant, a lawyer, that stupid, sleazy realtor out of L.A., a banker, and even a chef. All with the same shitty results. Cheaters, liars, creeps, and assholes, regardless of how they make their money. Their jobs don’t make them better, Josie. Grab the waiter. I need another drink.”
“Of course not,” she shoots back and waves a hand in the air to order another round of drinks. “But a banker won’t put you in harm’s way.”
“Ralph, the pharmaceutical rep, doesn’t cause harm? Because believe me, I see enough opioid addicts in the clinic to say he’s doing more harm than a thousand MCs possibly could.”
“Okay, you have a point. A good one, dammit. But you’re not seeing things clearly. It must be that big, tank-like dick blurring things.” Her lips twist into a teasing smile. “I’m right, aren’t I?”
I shrug. “Maybe.” Just thinking about his dick is enough to make me shiver. Good God, the man gives a good orgasm, and after a few drinks, that’s exactly what I want. Right. Now.
“Oh shit,” she laughs out loud as our drinks arrive. “You’re getting some seriously good dick if I can’t make you see reason. You’re never this good at arguing your point.”
“It’s not just the dick,” I admit. The truth is that I can’t resist the magnetic pull I feel toward Tank. I feel as if I’ve known him longer than a few months, and more than that, I can’t stop smiling when we’re together. “I can’t promise that I’ll stop seeing him, Josie. But I can promise that I will be careful.”
After a lifetime of being a good girl, I owe it to myself to explore this thing I have with Tank. Maybe he’ll end up being just like the accountant and the chef, or maybe he’ll be better than all the rest.
“I really wish you would just get a job at the hospital or literally any other medical center in town.”
“I love my job, and these people deserve health care the same as the people on the rich side of town.” It’s why I chose to take the job at the clinic all those years ago. I believe in Nova’s mission and his goal.
“Can’t you help people without being surrounded by criminals?”
I let out a loud laugh. “You work as a shipping agent. Do you really think everything in those containers is one hundred percent legal? What about the union? You think those mobsters are legit? If so, I have a bridge in Alaska to sell you.”
Josie rolls her eyes. “Smartass.”
“It’s all part of my charm,” I tell her. “You have until we finish this round to ask questions and plead your case. After, we talk about you.”
Josie shakes her head with a groan. “No thanks.”
“Oh, now I’m interested.” I flag down our server for more drinks. “Spill it, girl.”
“We’re still on the round where we’re talking about you.” Holding her drink in her hand and fighting a smile, Josie stares me down.
I stare back.
Her lips twitch.
I pick up my glass and finish it in three gulps. “You’re up, buttercup.”
