AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Jay jumped in seamlessly with a charming smile. "I gave her the full tour of the custom motorcycle shop, including all the back rooms." How did he fit so much innuendo into a simple sentence?
I smiled. "It's a great shop. You and your brother should be proud." How was I so awkward? Jay was talking sexy, I was talking about his brother.
"So, Jay, what's next?" James asked. "What about a second date? A nice motorcycle ride along the coast highway?"
"Fantastic idea! We've recently finished this incredible vintage Harley that we picked up at auction. I think it's ready for a test drive, and I'm hoping Mira is willing to help the shop out."
"What was your role in the bike's build? I hear you do the paint?" she asked, leaning in.
"I design the bike's aesthetics — the paint job, accessories, and that sort of thing, while Gunnar works on the engine and performance aspects of the design. Gunnar and I custom fabricate a lot of the parts to pull the whole look together into something unique and one of a kind."
They went off on a tangent about how much James loved ape hangers, whatever those were, before Delilah noticed I was still there.
"Are you up for a second date, Mira?" she asked.
"Hopefully, the weather will cooperate!" I hadn't really answered her question.
The radio hosts laughed, and the atmosphere lightened as Jay continued to discuss our dates, segueing seamlessly into another vivid description of his motorcycle shop. His charismatic presence easily filled the room, allowing me to retreat into my own thoughts as the hosts forgot my presence again. They wrapped up the interview with little more input from me.
As we left the radio station, Jay turned to me, his eyes filled with warmth. "Hey, thanks for that. I think it went well."
"Do you think you'll get more customers for your motorcycle shop now?"
His expression was sheepish as he raked his fingers through his hair. "I hope so." But then he raised his head, his sharp eyes skimming over my face. "My brother doesn't believe it'll help, but I am responsible for marketing, so his grumpy attitude can shove it."
"I think you did great."
"What about you? You gonna stick around to talk to Vin?"
"Not sure it's worth it," I admitted. "He seems kinda the same."
Jay nodded. "He's skilled with bikes and engines, but… not much else. If you stay, shoot me a text, yeah? We can get beers and chat, or something. You have my number."
"I'll think about it," I said, taking out my keys and turning towards my car. I started the engine and turned the heaters on full blast, shaking off the chilly seaside air. Then I laid my forehead against the steering wheel and groaned. At least the radio show stuff was done, but the plan hadn't worked, not at all.
Right then, my phone rang, and I glanced down to see my roommate's name flashing on the screen. Rolling my eyes, I answered the call over the car speaker.
"Hey Nori." I tried to summon some enthusiasm, but couldn't.
"Hey, Mira!" Nori's bubbly voice filled the car. "So, was he there? Did he spank you and ask you to lick his cock?"
"Oh god. Why did I tell you about my fantasies? You are the worst roommate."
"I'm sorry, you broke up for a moment there. Did you say I'm the best roommate slash best friend ever? Thanks!" she trilled. "But you need to tell me about the guy."
"The guy wasn't there, the date was a disaster, and oh, guess what, my deadbeat dad works at their motorcycle shop! He's a mechanic or something."
"Shit," Nori said. "If I could get off work, I'd come down there and rescue you."
Nori was absolutely the best friend roommate I'd ever had. If only she hadn't cut out on our med school dreams sophomore year of college and enrolled in culinary school. Now, she had a career she loved, working as a sous chef in a fancy Portland restaurant, while I was losing my goddamn mind, signing up for radio show bachelor contests on the off chance I might see a guy who'd once hit on me in a very sexy way. A more reasonable person would have come up with a very different plan.
"I love that you've found your dream career and all, but sometimes I do wish you were right here with me as my life spirals into insanity."
"It's not insanity," Nori said firmly. "Most people go through career changes."
Most people did not join bachelor contests, though.I kept that intrusive thought inside and focused on what Nori had said. "I'm too old to change my entire life around."
"Too old? You're 24. I don't blame you for realizing that the thing you decided you'd be when you were thirteen wasn't really your dream job. 13-year-olds are terrible at decision-making."
