Page 27 of Power Play Daddies
Raul raises a brow, clearly enjoying himself. “Got it. Let me see what I’ve got.”
While Raul disappears into the back, Daisy leans against the counter. “Thanks again. Seriously.”
“Don’t mention it.”
She studies me for a second. “So… you do this often?”
“What?”
“Ride around parking lots on your motorcycle.”
I chuckle. “Keeps me sane. I like the open space, no traffic. What about you? What were you doing at the arena so late?”
“Finishing up prep for interviews.” She sighs, looking tired. “Didn’t realize how late it was.”
Raul returns, holding a lens. “This work?”
Daisy inspects it, her eyes lighting up. “It’s perfect.”
“All right.” Raul punches some numbers into the register. “For you, Kieran, I’ll knock off twenty percent.”
“Appreciate it.” I pay him, then hand the lens to Daisy.
She smiles, genuinely this time. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I did. Let’s get outta here.”
Back on the bike, she’s more relaxed, her grip less rigid. I take a detour, pulling into a diner parking lot.
“What’s this?” she asks as she climbs off.
“You need that milkshake.”
We grab a booth inside, and I order two shakes. She sips hers slowly, looking out the window.
“You seem… better,” I say.
She shrugs. “It’s been a day.”
“Wanna talk about it?”
“Nope.”
Fair enough. We sit in silence for a bit, the hum of the diner filling the space. I don’t press her. She doesn’t owe me her life story.
When we’re done, I take her back to her car at the arena.
“Thanks again,” she says, slipping her bag over her shoulder.
“Anytime.”
She hesitates, then leans up, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek. “Goodnight, Kieran.”
And just like that, she’s gone, leaving me standing there like an idiot, wondering how the hell this night happened.
The motorcycle hums beneath me, the rumble steady, and the cool evening air wraps around me like a jacket I don’t want to take off. Daisy’s citrus-and-vanilla scent lingers in my helmet, clinging to my skin, my clothes.
I circle the parking lot again, the pavement smooth beneath the tires, leaning into each turn like I’m chasing the high of her arms wrapped around me. Her laugh, soft and startled when we hit that first sharp curve, plays on repeat in my head.
