Page 9 of Single Mom's Bikers

“It’s nice to meet you, Zane,” she tells me.

Daisy squirms to be put down.

“Can we go play with Owen?” She points to where other kids are gathered around a toy corner. “Please?”

Evie hesitates. “The meeting’s about to start.”

“I’ll watch them,” I offer, surprising myself. “Better than sitting through budget discussions, right?”

Those green eyes of hers snap to mine. Then both girls add their pleading looks and Evie caves.

“Stay where I can see you.” She looks at each daughter in turn. “Both of you.”

The kids don’t need to be told twice. They race to the toy corner, Owen naturally slowing his longer stride to match the girls’ pace.

“Nice to meet you too, Rose,” I tell her before following the kids.

The toy corner’s got blocks and papers scattered around. Violet immediately starts telling Owen about some complex game involving dinosaurs and princesses.

“You’re Owen’s uncle?” she asks me suddenly.

“Sort of. His dad’s my good friend.”

“Cool.” She studies my tattoos with open curiosity. “Did you draw those?”

“Some of them.” I roll up my sleeve to show her the dragon that wraps around my forearm. “My brother Chase did this one.”

“Pretty.” Her small fingers trace the scales. “Can he draw me one?”

“When you’re older,” I laugh. “Much older.”

“That’s what Mama says about her tattoos.” Violet sighs dramatically. “I have to wait forever.”

My attention snaps back to Evie. She’s deep in conversation with Rose, her posture still tense. More tattoos, huh? Besides the vine?

“Uncle Zane?” Owen’s voice pulls me back. “Can you help us build a castle?”

Time passes, and I get to know the little girls better. Violet’s got her mother’s sharp wit and none of her caution. She directs our construction project like a tiny general.

Daisy joins us halfway through, more reserved than her sister but just as bright. She corrects my structural mistakes with the patience of someone who is used to dealing with less intelligent life forms.

I catch Evie watching us sometimes. Each time our eyes meet, that tension from yesterday sparks again. But it’s different now, softened by her daughters’ laughter.

The meeting winds down. Parents gather their kids, and I notice Rose has disappeared.

“Time to go, girls.” Evie helps Violet gather her drawings. “Say thank you to Mr. Cross.”

“Thank you!” Violet hugs my leg. “You build good castles.”

Something warm unfolds in my chest. The parking lot’s mostly empty when we head out. Owen is between me and Violet, their hands linked as they hop over painted lines in the asphalt. Daisy walks beside her mother, telling her about some book she’s reading.

My bike sits where I left it, chrome shining under streetlights. But when I hit the starter, nothing happens.

“Piece of shit.” I try again. Still nothing.

“Language,” Evie warns, but her lips twitch. “Problem?”

“Just needs a minute.” I’m not about to admit defeat in front of her. The third time’s the charm, except it’s not.

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