Page 28 of Holley Jolly Biker

There I was. Checking her mother out.

Right. In. Front. Of. Her.

“Don’t tell Monnie, I told you this. But her bedroom looks like it exploded. She has so many outfits on her bed. It’s a wonder she’ll find room to go to sleep tonight in it.”

I grinned. Then nodded, “Yes, ma’am.”

After the whitening strips were off her teeth, she came back, a slight flush in her cheeks, and wanting to ease her out of her embarrassment, I said, “Later, I want you to ask me about the yellow device I found in the dumpster when I was eight. Alright?”

She winked, “Now I’m dying to know.”

“Not in front of your girl,” I told her as I held out the flowers I bought for her.

She took them with the softest look on her face, and I made a vow right then and there that I would do whatever it took to keep that smile on her face.

After they both got their flowers in water, she looked at Soraya and said, “Okay, grab your backpack.”

And just like that, I followed behind them, not really taking in their space cause it wasn’t the time for that.

Not while I was mentally ticking off everything in my house and making sure nothing was out of place and that everything was just right.

I waited while she locked the door, and then she said, “I just have to walk her over to Harold and Lilly’s, then we can go.”

I nodded, then gestured for them to go ahead of me.

My eyes scanned the surrounding area, ensuring that nothing was amiss. Taking note of... I looked down at my hand and felt my heart begin to race.

Because there, holding onto my pinky finger, was Soraya’s whole hand.

I chanced a glance at Ophelia to see how she felt about it, and when I saw that sweet smile on her face, I looked back ahead and grinned.

Harold and Lilly had just hugged Ophelia goodbye when she knelt in front of Soraya and hugged her.

I wasn’t standing too far away to not hear Soraya’s whispered words to her Monnie.

“I like him, Monnie.” I smiled inwardly, pleased as fuck with myself.

Ophelia grinned as she tucked a strand of Soraya’s curly brown locks behind her ear, “You do. I’m glad.”

Soraya shocked me when she asked, “Are you going to ask me why?”

“Only if you want to tell me,” Ophelia said as she brushed her nose with Soraya’s.

“Only one other person has given me flowers. And that’s you.”

My fists clenched.

I wanted to find her father and lay a world of hurt down on him.

But now was not that time.

Right now, my time was spoken for.

Once Soraya was safely inside, I held out my hand and said, “After you, milady.”

She giggled, which shot right to my soul, imprinting that sound there.

With her small hand in mine, I led her to my truck, reaching it, she asked, “How come you didn’t bring your bike?”