Page 8 of Single Mom's Bikers

“Uncle Zane, I’m gonna be late.” Owen tugs my hand, pulling me faster down the hallway.

Ten years old and already worried about punctuality. Kid takes after his dad that way. “We’ve got five minutes, buddy. What’s the rush?”

“I want to sit with Violet.” He says this like it explains everything.

“Violet? Violet, who?”

“Violet Ashbourne.”

The name clicks.

Owen nods, still dragging me along. “She’s cool. Even if she’s only four.”

Great. Of all the kids in this school, Owen had to make friends with my new neighbor’s daughter. The neighbor whose whole essence has become a gnawing thought in my subconscious.

The meeting room’s already half full when we arrive. Parents cluster in small groups, and I’m scanning for empty seats when I hear a small voice.

“Owen! Over here!”

A tiny whirlwind in a yellow dress waves frantically from the back row. Must be Violet. But where’s?—

“Shit.” The curse slips out before I can catch it.

Because there’s Evie, looking nothing like the woman from yesterday’s interview. She’s in jeans and a T-shirt, her hair pulled back, and no makeup. Somehow, she’s hotter this way.

Owen pulls me toward them before I can suggest finding other seats. Violet practically bounces in place.

“You’re late,” she informs Owen seriously. “I had to fight Tommy for this chair.”

“Sorry.” Owen slides into the saved seat. “Uncle Zane drives slow.”

“I do not—” But my defense gets cut short by a sharp gasp from Evie.

“Daisy!” She’s on her feet, eyes wide with panic. “Get down from there!”

I turn to find her older daughter has somehow scaled the storage shelves along the wall. She’s reaching for what looks like a book on the top shelf.

My body moves before my brain catches up. Three quick steps, and I’m plucking her off the shelf just as her foot slips. She lands in my arms with a surprised “oof.”

“That was awesome!” Violet beams up at us, totally unfazed by her sister’s near-fall. “Do it again, Daisy!”

“Absolutely not.” Evie’s there, reaching for Daisy. Her fingers brush my arm as she takes her daughter, and something hot shoots through my blood.

“Sorry, Mama.” Daisy’s cheeks flush pink. “Tommy threw my book up there. I just wanted it back.”

“And climbing the furniture seemed like the best solution?” a new voice cuts in.

I turn to find a woman I don’t recognize watching us. She’s slim, professional-looking, with sharp eyes that miss nothing.

“Rose!” Evie calls excitedly, and so do her daughters. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

“PTA meetings are important.” She winks. “Plus, I came in your new toy.”

A smile breaks out on Evie’s lips, and it blows my mind away.

“Uhm, Rose, this is Zane. My neighbor.”

Rose brings her hand forward for a shake. I take it.

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