“Only a few years older than you. Twenty-nine.” She beamed, clearly proud.
“Wow. That’s really great. I bet you’re an amazing mother.”
She laughed, her cheeks still rosy. “I did my best to raise him. He’s a very good boy.”
“I bet.”
I dropped my gaze. Speaking of moms made me a feel a little ill. I had no clue where my mother was. It was like, after I went off to college, I no longer mattered to her. I guess she figured I’d be okay without her, which happens to be true, but the least she could do was check in, email me during her travels at least.
“Well, have fun on your boat trip.” Margie’s voice cut through my thoughts. “I hope you and Theo have a blast. You deserve it after the hell your father put us through this week.”
“Yeah.” I blew a breath, tucking my hair behind my ear. “Dad can be a little wild.”
Her face was gentle as she stepped back, giving my room a look around before grabbing the door handle. “Just be careful, mi amor,” she said softly. “Have fun, but be careful.” Margie was out of the room before I could even blink.
When she was long gone, I turned and faced the full-length mirror hanging on my closet door. My expression hinted of confusion. Margie had experienced this before. She probably knew exactly how I felt—ecstatic, ready to see a man of another generation and spend my day with him.
She most likely knew how it felt to wake up happy and feel like all worries were gone. I bet she never wanted it to end, the same feeling I carried with the mere thought of Theo.
Sighing, I walked to my closet and pulled out a small tote bag. After putting a few necessities inside, I went back to my bathroom and applied a light coat of makeup to my face. Then, I examined my reflection, pleased with the finished product. It wasn’t too much, but it certainly wasn’t basic.
I smiled.
I went back to my tote bag, strapped it over my shoulder, and hurried downstairs. Fortunately, Margie was in my dad’s bedroom, helping him get dressed. I spent nearly thirty minutes in the kitchen, pacing back and forth, waiting for time to pass me by.
When it came to him, I was very impatient.
I waltzed to the living room, peeking through the blinds, spotting Theo’s Harley parked in the driveway next to the Charger. I hadn’t seen his bike out in a while. I didn’t hear it come or leave from Primrose.
Flicking my wrist, I checked my watch once more. I still had fifteen minutes to go before going to his place at the time we had planned. Walking into the kitchen, I placed my bag on the countertop and opened it, giving it one last check.
Snacks? Check.
Cell phone? Check.
Sunscreen and tanning oil? Check.
I headed for the living room again, walking in small circles beneath the twirling ceiling fan.
Alright. That’s it.
Sadly, I could no longer wait. I picked up my tote bag from the kitchen and hurried out the front door, locking it behind me.
In no time I was in Theo’s driveway, walking past his red, silver, and black bike. My finger ran across the rubber handles, my other hand drifting across the smooth leather of the seat.
“Can you believe it’s still the same bike?” Theo’s deep voice sounded behind me. It was close, and when I turned, he was only a few feet away, smiling with a bag slugged over his shoulder.
“This is the same one?” My eyes broadened. “The one you were about to…” I cut my sentence short. I refused to bring up the night he almost destroyed this “toy” of his.
“Yep.” Grinning, he walked around me, placing his bag inside one of the leather saddlebags attached to the sides. “I like to keep up with my toys.”
“Wait.” I held my hands up, looking from him to the bike and then him again. “We’re taking Ol’ Charlie?”
“Hell yeah!” He swung his left leg over the seat and sat, the bottom of his boots landing on the concrete. He grabbed the helmets hooked on the handlebars and put his on before handing me a solid black one. When I accepted it, he steadied the bike and gripped the handles. Then he looked my way, saying, “Come on, Little Knight. Boat’s waiting.”
I stood, wide-eyed for a several seconds, as I held the helmet to my chest. Never had I ridden on Theo’s motorcycle. When Izzy and I were younger, he refused to take us on a ride until we were sixteen or older, but when we turned sixteen, we were no longer interested in taking a ride on his bike—well, let me rephrase that. Izzy was no longer interested in riding her dad’s bike, but I would have been willing and ready if the conversation of a bike ride with Theo Black ever arose.
Theo patted the spot behind him, his brown eyes warm and welcoming. Unable to prevent my toothy, child-like grin, I strapped on the helmet and hopped on.
I made sure my tote bag was secure between us, and then I snaked my arms around his solid waist. When I was settled, he brought the engine to life. At first I thought his body was vibrating from the rumble of the bike, but it turned out he was laughing, glancing over his shoulder as he reversed the bike down the driveway and the wheels touched the street.
“Ready?” he asked, peering over his shoulder.
“A little nervous,” I admitted.
“Don’t be. I’ve been doing this bike riding thing for years.” He caressed the back of my hand for a short second and then pulled away, gripping the handlebars again. I looked to my left, at my house.
Margie and Dad were walking out the front door. She assisted him, most likely telling him to be careful. Dad had no clue what was going on, following her lead.
Margie looked up, eyes averting from me to Theo in less than two seconds. Theo happened to look as well. “Caregiver?” he asked over the deep grumble of the engine.
“Yes. She’s nice. Don’t worry.”
“Hmm.” He smiled at her. She returned a wary one. I gave Margie an assuring grin, and when Theo asked if I was all good, I excitedly nodded my head, and he took off, leaving Primrose and Margie’s line of sight.
Something about that little stare of hers made my stomach churn. It was almost like this woman could read the future, but if she could only understand that this was just a temporary thing, she wouldn’t have been so worried.
I figured I knew what I was doing, and I knew Theo would be okay with me leaving once this was all over. I was riding it out, taking each day as it came. I wanted to talk with Margie more about this, but until then, I decided to forget about it.
I pressed my cheek to Theo’s back, the wind causing my flat-ironed hair to flap wildly. A wave of comfort washed through me as I felt his muscles tense and then relax when he made a turn or came to a stop.
Theo was a natural at this, owning this bike of many years. He rode through Bristle Wave casually, passing by cars, large trucks, and even pedestrians, some whom may have secretly envied us.
I could get used to this. I really could.
It took about fifteen minutes to reach the docks. Theo parked his bike in the lot a short distance away and then kicked the kick stand out. Once he helped me off, he opened the compartment and pulled out his bag. I stepped back, my legs like Jell-O, but the rest of my body completely relaxed.
“Liked the bike ride?” he asked, grabbing my hand and leading the way to the docks.
I looked up at him. “It was surprisingly fun.”
It didn’t take too long to get to his boat. We crossed two paths of wooden decks, and a white boat with black sails appeared. On the hull, in red print, were the words Dirty Black. Fitting.
“This is yours?” I asked, astonished as we stepped aboard. The boat swayed with the added weight.
Theo stepped onto the boat with poise, his cheek quirked up as he met my gaze. “All mine.”
I looked from him to the wooden two-top table in the corner. “You said it was something simple—something to get you from point A to B.”
“It is!” he laughed.
“No.” I shook my head. “This is a damn party boat.” And really, it was. It was massive. The polished wooden deck was ahead; I could spot it from a mile away. Big enough for a college crowd. There was a table and a cozy, cushioned bench in the corner, suitable to seat at least four.