Page 9 of Biker's Tribute: Property of Bear

“Be for real,” Mallory says. “We’re having a blast. Who cares if men can’t keep up?”

“Yeah. Who wants to have someone to spend holidays with and adopt a pet with.”

Mallory has the answers for everything. “Uh, we can spend holidays skiing and I’ll adopt a pet with you.”

“I saw what happened to your Betta fish. Let’s skip the pet.”

“But skiing?”

“Do I look like I’ve ever been skiing Mallory?”

“I don’t know, Amanda. I’m not racist. And you can always learn. I’ve never been skiing either. But maybe the hot, normal men are flying down the black diamond slopes… just waiting for us.”

“To crash into them?”

“Cheer up,” Mallory says. “By this time next year, you’ll be married. I’m calling it.”

“Calling it? Is that how we’re referring to self diagnosis now?”

“It’s calledhope, Amanda,” she says. “And you’re the sweetest person I know. Seriously. Why I’m single makes sense. I’m a stone cold bitch. You’re… a fluffy cupcake.”

“More like a doormat.”

“Hey! No more negative self-talk or I’ll sign you up for another spin class.”

I freeze up in legitimate fear. I would rather hop on a stripper pole wearing nothing but my college graduation cap than attend another one of Mallory’s crazy ass spin classes. I purse my lips shut dramatically and shake my head.

“Did you see the guy who booked an appointment with you for next week?”

“Huh?”

“Our receptionist should have updated your online system. His name is Ethan Shaw and he’s seeing you next Friday.”

“Why do I always get the Friday afternoon clients?”

“Because I’m lazy,” Mallory says. “Next question?”

“Okay… Why did I need to see him? Does he have one eye?”

“No. But weird that you guessed that,” she says. “He’s hot.”

“Mallory! That is so unethical.”

“You’re immune to his type,” she says. “Don’t worry. But I’m just saying… 6’5”... blue eyes… All he needs is a trust fund and you would beobsessed.”

“Gross. He’s about to be myclient.”

“And if it doesn’t work out, you can get his number,” Mallory says. “How is that unethical?”

She winks, but I hope she doesn’t make jokes about doing anything illegal like that in front of anyone else. I can’t imagine the date that would be worth compromising my ethics and sacrificing everything we worked for.

I don’t care how tall this man is or what color his eyes are… Mallory should have never said he was hot in the first place.

“You’re bad,” I mutter, sipping my second coffee of the day.

“No way,” she says. “I’m an excellent influence. And you love me.”

“I do love you. This drink is fire, bestie.”

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