Page 15 of The Biker Alien

“Trust me, I’m not going back. Please, stop worrying about that.”

“I’m sorry. I’m going to hover over you like a mama bear.” She pauses. “I’m sorry.”

“Why? Because my mom’s a deadbeat?”

She says nothing.

“Your mom is amazing, and I’m so glad you have a mom who pushed you to be the best you could be,” I say seriously. “She’s been a great adopted mom to me.”

“If she only knew—”

“You are not going to tell her about any of this,” I insist.

“I won’t. It would, for real, give her a heart attack.”

“Okay, now that really wasn’t funny,” I say.

“I’m the one who had the mild heart attack, not her,” Stacy protests.

“Still doesn’t make it funny!”

She sighs. “Do you need anything at all? I could come over to your shop or to your place. Spend the night.”

“No. And before you ask, yes, I’m sure. You stay at your place.” I hesitate. “You didn’t ask out Eric yet, did you?”

“Actually…”

“You did? When? When’s the date?”

“Um, it’s happening now, but when you called, I quickly ran to the bathroom.”

“What? Is the date going badly then?”

“Not at all, but I don’t think he’ll score a grand slam. I mean, it’s been fun, but…”

“Wow. Way to make me feel like a slut.”

“I didn’t mean that at all! I just usually wait until date three or four.”

I blow out a breath. “I normally wait too, but… It doesn’t matter. It’s done and over with, and Alec is clearly way back in the rearview mirror. You get back to your date, you hear me?”

“All right.”

“And call or text me tonight to let me know how the rest of it went!”

“Will do!”

She hangs up, and I sigh. Eric is also on the police force, and even though she’s had a crush on him for forever, Stacy didn’t ask him out earlier because she was afraid that dating a coworker would be awkward. I am so glad she went for it because today has been a brutal reminder that life can be short.

Fleetingly short.

Eat the damn cannoli.

Fuck the guy on a first date.

But if there are guns fired on that first date?

Get the hell out of Dodge.

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