Page 214 of Ice Darling
“I don’t know what’s wrong,” I mumble.
“Was it making this noise when you rode it from the store?” Cordelia asks.
“Yeah.” I rub the back of my neck. “I got it from the New To You store. The guy said it was in pristine condition. And it wasn’t acting like this the last time I rode it.”
She continues her inspection, her lips pursed in concentration. Finally, Cordelia stands and dusts her hands. “This bike needs some serious TLC.”
“Well, it’s a good thing my girlfriend is a mechanic,” I mumble, bringing down the kickstand and letting the bike balance on itself.
Cordelia laughs and pulls her motorcycle keys out of her pocket. “Come on. I’ll drop you off at your place, and we can take your truck to pick up Gordie.”
“I’m not getting on that thing.” I eye her monstrous Harley.
“Baby steps, right?” She wiggles her keys and grins.
Cordelia gets on the bike first, and I climb on the back of it. The motorcycle is much lower to the ground than it looks, and my knees are practically bunched around my eyes as I sit. I can’t find a comfortable position.
The engine starts with a rumble that I feel deep in my bones. “Cordelia…”
“Yeees?” she says, swinging around to look at me.
The helmet she gave me to wear has a tinted visor, casting my view into darkness, but I can clearly see each of her pearly white teeth flashing at me. I’m glad she finds this amusing.
“Sweetheart…”
“Darling?”
“This is my first time. Be gentle.”
“I will. Just relax. Breathe.”
The motorcycle slides forward, and I grab her torso.
“Cordelia…”
“Whooo!”
“Go…slooooooww!” My words crash into the wind like a puck striking the net as my girlfriend speeds off on the open road.
Chapter Seventy-Two
Sasha: We did it, Brenda! The kids are together at last.
Brenda: Aren’t they simply the cutest? I knew they would work.
Sasha: I’ve never seen Cordelia so happy. She’s GLOWING!
Brenda: So…when should we start asking about grand-babies?
Sasha: Let’s get them married first.
Brenda: Oh dear. Viking’s made a big fuss about weddings being pointless. This would be his second time you know.
Sasha: Are you saying he’ll need some external help?
Brenda: From us?
Sasha: Who else?
