Page 6 of Riding Home

Clark chuckled, pulling me close with his arm draped over my shoulders.“I’m very real, I assure you.Aurora would never make up something like that.”

I gave him a piercing look, but the glint in his eye warned me not to contradict him.

Great.Just great.

“Well, isn’t this a pleasant surprise?”Mom beamed.“Come inside, both of you.It’s getting chilly out here.”

“Actually, Mom, why don’t you head in?Clark will help me get the bags,” I suggested, eager to buy a moment alone with him.

“Of course.Don’t dawdle now.I’ve got Aurora’s room all set up,” she called over her shoulder.“Though I must admit, I wasn’t expecting you to bring company.I don’t think I can cancel inviting Mark to dinner on such short notice.”

I groaned inwardly.Mark.The ex who wouldn’t take a hint.

As Mom disappeared inside, I rounded on Clark.“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

He propped himself against his motorcycle with his arms crossed.“Helping you out, apparently.”

“I didn’t ask for your help,” I snapped.

He shrugged.“Seemed like you could use it.Unless you want your mom thinking, you made me up.”

I exhaled heavily, rubbing my temples.“This is a mess.”

“Could be worse,” he said lightly.“At least now you have a real boyfriend to fend off the ex.”

I looked at him skeptically.“And what’s in it for you?”

He smiled enigmatically.“Making an honest woman of you.”

I scoffed, but the damage had been done.“Look, will you stay and be my fake date for dinner?After that, I’ll get a room somewhere, and you can go...do whatever it is you do.”

He raised his brow.“Not planning to stay in your cozy childhood room with me?”

“Absolutely not,” I retorted.

“Fair enough.”

I crossed my arms.“I can’t believe you followed me here.”

He straightened, his expression turning serious.“I told you.I didn’t follow you.”

“Then how do you explain showing up at my mom’s house?”I challenged.

He nodded toward the house directly across the street.“Because my mom lives right there.”

I blinked, processing his words.“You’re kidding.”

“Nope.Born and raised in Brevard, remember?”

I glanced between him and the residence across the street, a quaint two-story with a wraparound porch.Just then, the front door opened, and a woman stepped out alongside an older man who leaned on a cane.

“Clark!There you are!”the woman called out, waving.

He waved back.“Hey, Ma!Grandad!”

I stared in disbelief.“This is unreal.”

He grinned.“Small world, huh?”

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