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Meredith stands on the sidewalk, and I almost run into her as she’s stopped moving. That’s when I remember—“Oh.”
“Your truck.” She blinks at the empty parking spaces in front of the shop. “Was it stolen?”
I run a hand through my hair. “No. I rode my bike in today.”
“Oh, well, I can walk beside you or—or just go home.” She shrugs. The disappointment on her face is killing me. When did I become such a softy? I blame Alice and Coco. Yep, it is all their fault. I should be able to say goodbye and watch this woman walk away without my stomach becoming a punching bag.
But I can’t.
“I have an idea,” I say, heading back into the shop.
15
Meredith
Levi returns one minute later with a tandem bike. Like something from an old TV show. I laugh—giddy, and yet my nerves are alive. “Um, only one problem. I don’t know how to ride a bike.” I clamp down on my bottom lip, hoping Levi has a solution for this minor problem.
“That’s why you’ll be in the back and I’ll be up front, as captain.”
“Captain?” I smirk. I can’t help it. He’s a grown man who just called himselfcaptain.
He gives me half an eyeroll. “That’s what it’s called. The more experienced rider goes up front. I’ve driven this bicycle by myself. Which means, I can do it with you sitting on the back.”
“But it’ll be so much heavier.”
“I’m pretty sure I won’t notice your one hundred and ten pounds.”
I yip. I’m more like one hundred-twenty-five pounds, but he doesn’t need to know that.
Levi props the long bike against the building and walks toward me, a helmet in his hands. Gently, he sets it on top of my head and buckles it beneath my chin. His amber eyes concentrate on his work, but I watch his face, breathe in the breeziness, and think about number five.
“Levi—”
“I know, you like my eyebrows.”
“Um. I do. But that isn’t what I was going to say.” Warmth spreads to my cheeks—but I don’t know why. He knows I like his eyebrows. Why would his bringing it up embarrass me? I don’t want to be so embarrassed that I don’t live. “What if I make us fall? My balance is terrible and—”
“You won’t. I’ll balance for both of us.” He sets a hand to my cheek, then as fast as he laid it there, it’s gone, shoved into the front pocket of his jeans. “Don’t be afraid.”
“I’m not afraid. I’m not even afraid to fall. I’ve survived stitches. Surely, there are worse things.” I tangle my fingers together, locking up his gaze. “But I wouldn’t want to make you fall.”
“You won’t. I promise.” He walks over to stand the green, double-seater bike upright, swinging one leg around and mounting it like the thing was made for him. “And you’re right, Mer, there are worse things than falling off a bike.”
Mer.
Yep. I like that.
I mount onto the seat behind him, then hold on—for dear life—while Levi drives us back to his place. With my feet on the pedals, I stare at his back and keep my seat in the saddle. There’s a rush of wind and life as I zoom through the city behind Levi. Everything smells different in speed mode. I get Levi’s summer breeze and the blooming magnolia trees all in one breath. We ride past the lake, and I’m filled with a musty earthy smell—wood and water and moss, all at once.
It’s glorious.
Riding a bike is glorious!
No wonder it made Nikki bloom like a spring tulip.
My hands are stark white from holding on so tight, and my back has a slight ache from arching it in such a foreign way. But I can honestly say that I love riding a bike.
I love it.
