Page 19 of Cowboy

“That’s good. As long as it’s not just an act to reel you in, then he’ll turn into that domineering kind of guy.”

“I guess it’s possible, but I really don’t think so. He doesn’t seem like that kind of guy.”

“Your date was two days ago, when he refused to come into your place with you. Have you heard from him since?”

“Yeah. We’ve been texting every day.”

Belinda’s brows shot up. “Every day?” The waitress came back with new drinks for each of them, then left them to eat.

Ava nodded. “Every day. Not long, drawn out conversations but checking on me, asking what my plans are for the evening.”

They ate in silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts. After a while Belinda spoke again.

“Wait, you said biker. Have you ever even been on a motorcycle?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I have.” Ava gave her sister-in-law a superior look, though she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep a straight face for long.

Belinda’s eyes went wide. “You have? When?”

“Cowboy took me for a ride when we went out the other night.” She couldn’t help but grin at the look of shock on Belinda’s face.

“You got on the back of a bike with a stranger. Did you even know anything about him?”

“I knew he was a good guy.”

“How?”

Ava shrugged. “I just knew.” She wasn’t telling Belinda about her night at the bar. Her sister-in-law would tell Aaron then Ava would never hear the end of it. “We had a good time, and we’ve been talking. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again soon.”

“How much of him do you plan on seeing?”

Ava bit her lip, then looked up and met Belinda’s gaze. “All of him, if I can talk him into it.” She couldn’t help the laugh that burst free. “But seriously. I like him. A lot. If he wants a fling, I’ll take it. If he’s willing to go for more, I’m willing to see how far things go.”

“But he’s so different from Hank.”

“That’s exactly my point. I’m not looking for another great love to last the rest of my life. I’m looking to live life. To experience it, not just watch it go by. Even if that means a series of shorter relationships. If Cowboy can do that with me for a while, I’ll take it. If he’s not interested, someone else will be, or I can do it on my own for a while. I’ve learned that while someone to share life with is great, it’s not necessary. I can have a lot of fun on my own,” Ava said with a shrug.

She hoped she sounded more nonchalant than she felt about it. She liked Cowboy a lot. She didn’t want to think about how badly it would hurt if he walked away.

13

Cowboy found his mind drifting, and not for the first time today. He shook his head, trying to shake loose thoughts of a certain blonde, then bent his head back to the sketch he was trying to finish. The client had called this morning with some changes he wanted made, and now Cowboy was trying to make his ideas work on the bike they’d been back and forth on for the last three months.

He was hopeful this last design would be approved. Then the client would send the next payment installment and they could start fabrication. That was the part Cowboy really loved. The designing was good, but the building was where his heart lay.

The goal was to finish this sketch and send it off to the client today, so it could be approved or reworked yet again. And the sooner he finished the sketch, the sooner he could go help with the finishing touches on the last bike he was working on. It would be ready for its new owner within the week, so he wanted to make sure everything was just right.

A few more pencil strokes and he leaned back to take a look at it. That was perfect. He scanned the images and emailed them to the client then lifted his arms over his head and arched his back as he stretched. Ava slipped into his mind again, he couldn’t help but wonder what she would think of some of the bikes he’d designed. Would she like a ride on one?

He needed to check in with her. The new bike would need a test drive. Maybe she’d like to go along with him? Cowboy rolled his eyes and shook his head at how flighty he’d become over this woman. Still, he reached for his phone and typed out a quick message.

Cowboy: How’s your day been?

He stared at the screen for several seconds as if her reply would appear instantly on his screen then realized he was being stupid. He stood, shoved his phone in his pocket and headed out to the shop.

The noise in the shop was loud but familiar. He checked on what each man was doing, making sure things were turning out the way they should before he went to the bike that had just finished painting and needed to be assembled. He ran one hand along the gas tank, making sure the finish was smooth, then got to work fitting pieces into the frame, assembling the bike. Of all the construction, this was one part he insisted on doing himself. The final assembly, making sure everything was just right before they delivered the product.

He didn’t know how long he’d been working when Deke walked in.

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