Page 22 of Nanny for the Bikers

“So,” Kip says, breaking the silence. “Where to next?”

I tear my gaze away, focusing on the dashboard in front of me. “Target,” I reply, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. “It’s the perfect place to get all of the stuff we need for Piper’s room.”

Kip nods, pulling out of the parking lot. “Target it is.”

11

AYLA

Iscratch behind Shadow’s ears as he sits patiently in the passenger seat of Kip’s truck. “Be a good boy and wait here for us, okay?” I say softly. Shadow’s tail thumps against the leather seat in response.

I turn to Kip, who is waiting by the open driver’s side door. “It’s awesome that you can leave the AC running even without the key in the ignition,” I remark, impressed.

“You know, Ayla, you could get a truck with that same feature,” Kip remarks as we step into the welcome coolness of the store’s AC. “Might be time for an upgrade.”

I shake my head, a wistful smile tugging at my lips. “Even if I had the money, which I don’t, I couldn’t bear to part with my old girl. My dad gave her to me before he...” My voice catches, the words sticking in my throat like peanut butter.

Clay’s brow furrows with concern. “Your dad?” he prompts gently, his deep voice laced with genuine interest.

I swallow hard, blinking back the sudden sting of tears. Not here, not now. “Yeah, he...he passed away a while back.” The admission hangs heavy in the air between us.

Clay’s hand finds my shoulder, a comforting weight. “I’m so sorry, Ayla. Were you close with your family?”

The question, though well-meaning, feels like a punch to the gut. Images of my stepfather’s sneering face, my mother’s tear-stained cheeks, flash unbidden through my mind. I shrug off Clay’s hand, plastering on a brittle smile.

“Hey, I could really use a latte right about now. You guys want anything? My treat!” I force a note of cheery enthusiasm into my voice, praying they’ll take the bait.

Kip and Clay exchange a look, a silent conversation passing between them. After a beat, Kip nods. “Sure, I could go for a drink.”

Relief washes over me as we make our way toward the in-store Starbucks. The rich aroma of coffee grounds and steamed milk envelops us, chasing away the lingering ghosts of my past. I study the menu board intently, as if the secrets of the universe are hidden among the beverage descriptions.

“What do you recommend?” Clay asks, sidling up beside me.

I tap my chin thoughtfully. “Hmm, caramel macchiato is a personal favorite. Not too sweet, just the right amount of indulgence.”

Clay chuckles. “Sold. I’ll have one of those.”

Kip, however, wrinkles his nose. “I think I’ll stick with water. Someone’s gotta keep a clear head while you two get all hopped up on sugar and caffeine.”

I elbow him playfully. “Spoilsport. Live a little!”

But Kip just grins, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Hey, one of us has to be the responsible adult here.”

As we wait for our drinks, I let the banter wash over me, grateful for the momentary distraction. But even as I laugh and joke with Kip and Clay, I can feel the weight of my past lurking just beneath the surface, waiting to drag me back down into its murky depths.

With our drinks in hand, I lead the way into the labyrinth of aisles, determined to focus on the task at hand. The soft squeak of cartwheels against polished floors and the distant chatter of other shoppers create a soothing backdrop as we navigate the store.

“Ooh, look at this!” I exclaim, running my fingers along the smooth wood of a sleek, modern crib. “It’s perfect, don’t you think?”

Clay leans in, inspecting the crib with a critical eye. “It’s nice, but is it sturdy enough? We don’t want Piper rolling out in the middle of the night.”

I suppress a smile at his protective instincts. “Trust me, this one’s built to last. And look, it even converts into a toddler bed when she’s older.”

Kip wanders over, sipping his water. “I like it. Looks like it would match the rest of the nursery furniture we picked out.”

We move on, perusing the selection of wall art and decor. I hold up a whimsical painting of a unicorn prancing through a field of wildflowers. “What about this? It’s adorable!”

Clay raises an eyebrow. “A unicorn? Really?”

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