Page 64 of Dr. Stone

“She and I never were, and never will be, a thing,” I muttered.

“She didn’t know that, though, you casual flirt!” He laughed. “Seriously—it’s nice not having you seduce every woman in this place anymore. Now maybe they can focus on bigger and better men.”

“So, is that what you needed to talk about? No more office drama for the chief?”

“No, even better.” He grinned. “Because you’ve been dragging your ass, Ash and I decided to give you and Andie a little push. You’re welcome.”

“How so?”

He glanced at my bike. “You thought of it all, huh?”

“Yep,” I said, grinning as my adrenaline surged the second my bike growled to life.

“Except I don’t see a helmet for Andie?”

“Shit!” I knew I’d screw something up by trying too hard.

Jake chuckled. “Good thing Ash’s helmet is at the gallery for the romantic rides I take her on.”

“Thank God, man.”

“Just a heads-up—Andie’s probably arguing with Ash right now about us meddling. You might want to work that bike a little harder to unwind her nerves.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’ll see.” He smirked. “Dinner at Darcy’s tomorrow. You’re buying.”

“I always am,” I said, pulling on my helmet and taking off with two minutes to spare.

The forty-minute ridedown PCH helped. By the time I pulled into the gallery in Malibu, I felt more in control, the nerves fading with each mile. I wanted to know the real Andie—her favorite color, food, the show she binged when no one was watching. Did she like books? Music? I didn’t know, but I wanted to. Needed to. It wasn’t just that night in bed—though, damn, that had been unforgettable. This pull toward her was something else entirely, and I couldn’t shake it.

“Hey, gorgeous,” I said. “Ready for lunch?”

“Apparently we have the rest of the day and evening too—should you want to spend more time with me,” she said.

“You seem annoyed by that?”

“I’m not. I just feel like I’m the worst mom in the world if I let Ash pick Brandon up from the sitter again so she can watch him for us.”

I stepped closer, smiling when she rolled her eyes. “How about this—after lunch, I’ll bring you back here so you can grab your car. If you want more time after you get Brandon, I’ll invite you to my place…or I’ll hang at yours.”

She blinked, like I’d surprised her. “I’d like that,” she said softly, then pulled back, almost as if she’d felt the same pulse of energy crackle between us.

“You sure? You’ve got a look,” I teased.

“You remembered my son’s name,” she said, smiling in a way that damn near wrecked me. “Thank you.”

“No thanks needed. He and I hit it off that night. I even remember Duke’s name, too.”

She laughed. “That means everything to me.”

“Oh, quick question—you up for a ride on my bike? Otherwise, you’re driving, Miller.”

Her daring smile was all the answer I needed. “I think that would be sexy as hell. Except…no helmet, and I’m not dressed for it.”

“Your outfit’s perfect. Ash has a spare helmet. Jake said she’d set you up.”

“Yes,” she laughed, heading toward the painting room. “Apparently they’re babysitting my ‘carefree ass’ again this afternoon.”