Page 28 of Ride or Die

Saint reached past her and grabbed her coffee without breaking her gaze, like that’s what he’d meant to do all along. He handed her the paper cup, that smug expression back on his handsome face. He let their fingers brush, holding the drink a moment longer than he should have, and her heart kept up its cheerful—elevated—rhythm.

He was fucking with her. He had to be.

“Unbelievable,” she muttered and pushed off the wall. She ducked under his arm and threaded her way through the tables to the front door. Saint’s chuckle rumbled behind her, yet he got to the door first and held it open for her.

Her cheeks burned.

This is what she got for playing kiss chicken with someone like him.

They stepped out onto the sidewalk, and a waft of sugar from his drink hit her. Riley sipped her coffee, bitter warmth mixing with the cool breeze. They walked along in silence, and once her embarrassment faded, she drifted closer. His fingers were nicked and scuffed, knuckles darkened by grease that didn’t wash out, wrapped around his coffee cup.

“So… uh. What’s being a mechanic like?” she asked. Oh my god, really?

He glanced at her, an almost-smile shaping his lips. Perfect. Just great.

His arm snapped out, circling her shoulders as a group of teenagers brushed past. Riley hadn’t even noticed them until they jostled her into him. If he hadn’t moved, she’d be even more embarrassed than she currently was.

Everything is going so well.

She licked a splash of coffee off her thumb and silently thanked the idiots for pushing them closer together. And distracting them from her ridiculous attempt at small talk.

Saint and Riley fell back into step and headed towards the park. Just when she thought he was going to give her a pass on the awkwardness, he answered.

“I like it. It’s satisfying to fix things and it keeps me busy. Probably not as exciting as your fancy office job.”

Riley snorted a laugh. “I doubt that. Highly.”

She had mentioned the corporate overlords at the park. One time. And she hadn’t even told him she’d been at work when he picked her up, but she supposed he could figure it out. Regardless, his attention to detail was impressive.

It wasn't the only thing that was, either.

Saint shrugged one shoulder. “Agree to disagree.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine.”

He grinned at her, and her heart stuttered. “Look at that. Our first fight.”

Riley laughed again, and her hair floated behind her in the breeze.

Shops gave way to houses as they turned the corner, hands brushing. Her skin hummed every time they touched. Fast and warm and easy.

“Really, though. Did baby Saint dream of being a mechanic?”

“Ha. No.” He paused. “Well, maybe. I took lots of stuff apart as a kid. Wasn’t great at putting it back together though.”

His eyes clouded briefly before settling back on her. “What about you? Emails have always been your calling?” He gave her a teasing smile, and the hum spread. He gently closed the door on his past, and she could respect that.

She didn’t like talking about hers either.

“Also no.” She glanced away as the cool breeze nipped at her cheeks, rustling the rhododendron bushes on the side of the path. “It just came at the right time. It’s not my endgame.”

“No?”

“No.” Riley didn’t elaborate, even when he waited for her to. One step at a time. Loans first, and then she could look ahead.

“You have family around here?” He jerked his chin towards downtown. “In the city?”

“Nah, I grew up here though.” Her smile flickered, and she pressed it back on. “My parents retired to Florida a few years ago.”