Page 82 of Inviting Trouble
“It’s part of the game. Which kind of man do you prefer?” Hailey pressed.
Mad lost it. “You know what kind of man I prefer? The kind who sticks around!” She leapt to her feet in her agitation. “The kind who doesn’t have some twisted sense of honor that makes him bail! The kind that’s there for you when your biological mother decides to make an appearance for the first time in twenty-five years!”
The women were all staring at her, eyes wide, but there was no stopping her now.
She punched a fist in the air. “The kind who is man enough to stand by your side after making love to you so tenderly that he makes you cry!”
“Uh, Mad,” Lauren started.
“No!” Mad said, shaking her head for emphasis. “I won’t be nice!”
“Um…” Hailey said, her head tilting to the side.
Mad jabbed a finger at Hailey. “You want sharing?” she barked. “Parker Shaw still thinks he knows what’s best for me. Did he ask me if I want him to get a job throwing himself out windows and leaping off motorcycles? No! Does he care that my dad is marrying my mom and it makes me want to puke? No!” She yanked the V in her ripped shirt down to show them her hawk tattoo. “Does he care that this tattoo is a constant reminder that he’s got a hold of my heart?”
“I care,” a deep voice said.
“Aaaaahhh!” She let out a high-pitched girly scream, her entire body jerking with ungraceful shock. She whirled, face flaming. “Park.”
“I didn’t realize you shared so much at book club,” he said drily.
The women tittered.
She crossed to him, about to give him hell for sneaking up on her like that when he grabbed her in a bear hug and nuzzled into her neck.
“I missed you,” he whispered.
The fury left her in a whoosh. “I missed you too.”
“I can’t do stunts with Ty. They’re destroying too many good motorcycles. I can’t bear the carnage.”
Her knees went weak with relief.
He brushed her hair back and cupped her jaw, his gaze warm and tender. “I’m home for good. I’ve got savings and I can open my own shop, fixing cars or bikes. Maybe both. I’ll figure it out.” He stroked her cheek. “I’m sorry I wasn’t the man who stuck around like you needed. I will from now on.” He kissed her and spoke against her lips. “Forever.”
Her cheeks heated at the sudden mushy intensity because she knew he meant it. He was a man of honor, a man of his word. She threw her arms around him and kissed him passionately. Her friends hooted and hollered. She broke the kiss and turned to them. “Anyone have leads on clients for Park, let me know. He can fix anything with an engine.”
“I love working on planes,” Park said, “but I can do cars and bikes too.”
“My brother-in-law just lost his best mechanic,” Missy said. “The guy moved to Florida. Do you like classic cars?” Classic cars meant big money.
Park smiled widely. “Do I like classic cars?” He whooped. “Does a grease monkey like grease? Yes! I’d love to.” He strode quickly over to Missy for the contact info. Hailey handed him Mad’s coat and messenger bag. Then he stood in the circle of women, beautiful one and all, but his eyes were only for her. “You all mind if I steal this beauty? I’ve missed her something fierce.”
“Aww,” the women chorused.
“Go!” Hailey said. “Shoo. We don’t need her kind here. This club is for single ladies.” She gave Mad a wink and a smile.
Park slipped an arm around her shoulders and guided her out the door. “The job is at Exotic and Classic Car Restorations. Nico Marino runs it. That place is awesome.”
“I had no idea they needed someone there.” Hailey’s magic at work. She’d connected Missy into the self-defense class and then book club and that connected to her and Park.
He stopped on the sidewalk in front of the café and helped her on with her coat. “Did your dad get remarried?”
“I have no idea.” She zipped up the coat. “He’s been out of touch and it’s been three days.”
Park stiffened. “You want to send Ty out there to check on him? He’s closest.”
She took her messenger bag from him and tucked it over her shoulder. “Give it a little more time. I’m sure he’s fine. Probably just living it up.”
