Page 98 of Smokey's Distraction
“That’s cool.” Smokey waked over to Willy and clasped his shoulder. “Thanks, man. I’ll call you next week about breakfast.”
“Ruthie’s?”
Smokey chuckled. “Where else?”
Willy looked to Ashley. “Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t.”
“Smokey, you better take care of this pretty lady.”
“I plan to.”
Holy shit!Her chest swelled, her eyes darting to his.
Clearing his throat, he turned away. “Let’s go.”
Following behind him, she couldn’t help but wonder if he was just agreeing with Willy, or if he meant what he’d said.Is he planning to pursue a relationship with me? Do I want that? What happens when I go back home? Stop it! I’m the fucking queen of overanalyzingeverything.
“What’d you think of Willy?”
“He’s great. You promised to tell me how you met him.”
Smokey opened the saddlebag so she could put her purse inside. “I’ll tell you about it at Blue’s Belly. Eric wants to see me about a project.”
“Okay, but I have a shift at the shelter tonight. I’m helping to serve dinner.”
“What time?”
“I need to be there at six-thirty.”
Straddling his bike, he gestured for her to climb on behind him.
“I’ll go with you.”
Did I hear him right?“You want to help serve dinner at the shelter?”
“I didn’t say anything aboutthat.I’ll hang out with Gavin and a few of the other boys until you’re ready to go.”
His words made her body tingle.He wants to spend time with me.Then she saw his jaw harden and sunk down behind him.What’s going on now?
“Or maybe you’d rather I didn’t go.”
Frowning, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed his neck. “Why would you say that? I love that you want to come with me.”
With a sharp nod, he gripped the handlebars. “Hold on.”
The bike roared to life. Squeezing her arms around his waist, he took off, flying down the dirt road leading to the old highway. As they rode past the open fields, Ashley tipped her head back and watched the clouds glide across the blue sky. The moment was perfect: the scent of spruce and sweet hay in the air, the warm sunlight on her face, and Smokey’s strong body against hers.
Pulling into a parking space in front of Blue’s Belly, Ashley felt a twinge of sadness that the ride was over. When he jumped off the bike and strode away without a word, she hurried to catch up to him.
“Are you pissed at me?”
He stopped in his tracks. “No.”
“I think you are, and I don’t know why. Is it about the shelter? I was surprised you wanted to go with me, that’s all.”
“Okay.”
