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Della: I am so embarrassed. *monkey covering eyes emoji* I’ll be wearing a paper bag over my head until my last day of work.
Liv: Don’t give up! Bennett’s still on the list!
Della: I think I’ve had enough embarrassment for a decade. Now to find a paper bag...
Liv sent me a text with a link to order paper bags in bulk.
Della: You’re such a dear.
Liv: Sorry, Dell. I really thought I was clear with him.
Della: Swing and a miss. Ttyl.
I tucked my phone back in my purse and got up for the long walk home. Too bad I couldn’t call the tow truck for a ride home due to broken pride.
11
HAYES
It was a perfect night to take the Harley out for a ride. Spring was finally starting to give us some warmer days, and the sunset burned the horizon like the painter in the sky forgot to use pastels today.
I drove around dirt roads outside of town until the sun set and then took the bike slow down the side streets in Cottonwood Falls, listening to nothing but the hum of the motor and the rush of wind over my helmet.
A few people were sitting on their front porches doused in soft golden overhead lights, but not many. The sidewalks were empty until I saw a tuft of familiar red hair shining like a beacon in the dark and the swing of hips under flowy floral material.
What the fuck was Della doing walking around town after dark? And over a mile away from her house?
I slowed down next to her and flipped back the shield on my helmet. Then I killed the engine so she could hear me. “Couldn’t remember the tow truck’s number?” I called over to her.
She stopped and turned to me, an exhausted expression on her features. “God, I wish that was it.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Care to explain?”
“No.”
Wow, Moonshine was really not in a good mood. Something must have happened tonight, and a strange urge to incapacitate anything or anyone that upset her overwhelmed me. Taking a deep breath, I said, “Then care for a ride?”
Now she raised her eyebrows at me. “You’re kidding, right?”
I pulled off my helmet. “You can wear the helmet, and we won’t go over twenty. Most you can get is a lady boner from riding on such a sexy bike.”
She snorted, then covered her mouth. “Did you just tell me I’ll get a ‘lady boner’ from riding your motorcycle?”
I dipped my head in answer.
Her lips twitched. “Unfortunately, that’s not covered by insurance.”
“I won’t charge,” I retorted. “Now get your ass on the bike. I know you’re not walking all the way home in those shoes.”
She glanced in the direction of her life-size version of a dollhouse and then back to me. “Promise you won’t go over twenty?”
“Cross my heart.”
“And you’ll stop at every stop sign?”
“And hope to die,” I replied.
She let out a sigh. “Guess there’s a first time for everything.”