Page 86 of Rio's Release

“You’re sure this is suitable?” It’s a slinky black dress that skims my body to just above my ankle. There’s a slim strap over one shoulder, leaving the other bare. A slit on the right side exposes my leg to the thigh when I move.

“Rio is going to love it, babe.” Jenny smiles, peering at me in the mirror.

“It’s not too much?”

“It’s elegant and classy, but plenty sexy for your man.” She turns and whispers the rest in my ear. “And he can slip his hand inside that slit.”

“You’re so bad,” I hiss.

“Is Rio your man, Mommy?” Bella asks, and I give Jenny a glare.

Squatting, I take her hands. “I like him a lot, Bella.”

“I like him, too. And Hurley likes him, so he must be a good guy, right?”

“Right.”

She looks at my reflection. “I like the princess one better.”

“Yes, baby. But I don’t want to look prettier than the bride, do I?”

“Maybe you can wear it to your wedding, Mommy.”

“My wedding?”

“Someday, right?”

“Right. Someday.”

“I’m going to wear one like it when I get married,” she says, twirling.

“Well, let’s hope that’s a long way off, peanut.”

“Can we go get ice cream from Blitzy’s, Mommy?”

“If you wait quietly while I pay for this. Deal?”

“Deal.” She throws her arms in the air like she just won a prize.

An hour later, we sit at one of the tables in front of Blitzy’s, Bella happily eating an ice cream cone.

“This brings back memories, huh?” Jenny says.

“I can’t believe this place is still here.”

“Of course it is. It’s an icon, a rite of passage. Look at those teens over there. That used to be us.”

The distant roar of some motorcycles carries to us. Both of us turn to check the street.

I spot them half a block down. Two bikes riding side by side.

When they get close, I recognize it’s Rio and Zig, and I wave, catching their attention. They both turn into the lot, back their bikes into a spot, and dismount.

Rio’s shoulders roll as he comes toward me with the sexiest walk. Damn, he looks good in that leather cut.

Reaching us, he cups my nape and tilts my head up for a kiss. When he lifts his mouth from mine, I notice every teenager gawking.

“You find a dress, babe?”

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