Page 94 of Love Decoded

CHARLI

By the time we leave the restaurant, I’ve decided Mi Vida is my new favorite Mexican eatery in Philadelphia. Lucas knew where he was taking me.

I glance at him walking beside me. It’s late, though still light out, with the city around us slowly starting to build up to its Saturday night excitement. Every restaurant is busy, and every sports bar is packed with hockey fans getting ready to watch tonight’s Flyers game. It’s the perfect kind of Saturday night in the city.

And it comes at the end of a perfect day.

This weekend has been…surprising. Last night was surprising.

I duck my head to hide my smile.

“What’s that for?” Lucas asks, grinning as he gently hip-checks me.

I shake my head, but I’m still smiling. “No reason. What are we doing now?”

He shrugs, still grinning, and slides his hands into his pockets. “Whatever you want. You have something in mind? I just figured we’d go home and chill out, maybe watch some sci-fi movies, but I’m open to suggestions.”

Warmth moves through me at that. “That sounds good. I like that idea.”

Lucas nods, looking pleased with himself. “Good.”

I tip my face up to feel the cool air, happiness ballooning in my chest with every step. “Am I weird for liking city sounds more than countryside sounds?”

Lucas tips his face up, too. “Nah, I agree with you. I can’t fall asleep without the sounds of sirens and cars honking.”

“Same,” I say with a sigh.

And with perfect timing, a motorcycle zips past us. I jump at the sound, which makes Lucas chuckle.

“I would’ve thought you’d be immune to that sound,” he says.

“A loud sound is a loud sound,” I say grumble. Then I look back at where the motorcycle disappeared. “I do normally like the sounds of their engines, though. It’s like the best kind of ASMR.”

“Is that why you bought one?”

“One of the reasons. It sounds good, looks good. Feels good.”

“Yeah?” He seems excited about it. “How’s it feel?”

“It feels…” I fill my lungs with air. “It feels like freedom. Like the entire world is ahead of you and yours for the taking. It’s just you, the road, and the wind in your hair. It’s addicting.”

“It sounds like it,” Lucas agrees.

“You’ve never ridden a bike?” I ask, sending him a sideways glance.

He shakes his head. “Somehow the opportunity has never come up.”

Slowly, a devious idea takes shape in my mind.

“What if I gave you that opportunity?”

Lucas turns his surprised gaze toward me. “What, you mean your bike?”

I nod and his eyebrows lift even higher.

“You would let me ride your bike?”

“Absolutely,” I say in mock-seriousness. “Why not?”