“Need a new job?” He folded his hands behind his head with a satisfied grunt.
I shook my head. “Not now. I need some time to get it all straight, but I’m not running. If it’s too awkward, then yeah, I won’t make the guys live like that.” I exhaled a big breath. “When we broke up, Bear offered to make me his ‘girl Friday,’ helping Ollie with the business side of JB Productions. I’ll do it, or find a non-club job in town. But I like working in the shop.”
“Done.” He leaned forward. “MJ hopes you’ll take a couple more breakfasts, but it means more time at the club.”
“I can’t do it. It’s hard enough to keep them away now. I had to use Bear to keep Vex away. Rock’s backed off, but not the others.”
“You’re a damn good cook.” His wistful tone made me smile. “I got an idea. Probably a bad one.”
“Yeah?”
“What if you take the shifts and tell any who ask, I’ve claimed you—more than the property tag I give all the girls.” His eyebrow arched and his lips curved up, scarier than any smile should be.
“You agreed we weren’t an option. I haven’t changed—”
“Me either. But it gets MJ off my back a few months and gives you space. Given how close Dare and I are, no one expects you to come to me anytime soon.” He rolled his eyes. “But this way, it sounds like when you’re ready, it’s my bike you’ll be on.”
“Dare?”
“Is a fucking idiot. But the girls I entertain will enjoy telling you about it.”
“I don’t care who you screw as long as it isn’t me.” I pictured the girls Dare fucked.
“Ouch. That’s hard on the ego.” His sarcasm was better than his smile.
“We can try it. But if Dare asks, tell him the truth.” I stared at him a long moment.
He nodded as he stood. “I’m glad you’re staying. We need you.”
Something about the arrangement felt off to me, but it solved my immediate problems, so I was game.
* * *
The first days of December brought light snow to town, but it melted almost as soon as it landed. Life was busy with cooking Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Plus I’d started helping Avery design her store flyers.
Dare stormed in the shop five days after he’d rejected me. Neither of us was back to normal, and as a result, we spoke little and ignored lots. I was pissed he’d shut the door on our chance at happiness, and I planned to stay that way until it hurt less, or at least until I didn’t wish to curl up in a ball at the sight of him.
I used my friends and cooking at the club as a distraction, only having to use Jericho’s story once with Rebel. As Christmas approached, I discovered the club didn’t really do Christmas. They did New Year’s but ignored Christmas. I suspected those with families went home and those who didn’t, well, then the holiday sucked. On impulse, I decided I’d host an open house, and use the shop too. I’d ask Jericho about that.
No, I was done hiding from him. I’d ask Dare when he came into the shop. And I waited for four days until he finally came in for an appointment. Since my failed attempt to reconcile, he’d been at the shop less than usual. If this continued, I’d have to take a new job.
“Hey, Dare,” I called as he rushed past me.
He stopped and turned to me.
“I’m having a Christmas thing the twenty-third, I hoped to let the guests spill over to the shop?” I held my breath.
He smirked at me. “Yeah, Lila, that’s fine.” He went down the hall and I could breathe again.
I was having a party.
I made flyers and handed them out like candy at a parade to my new friends in town, bikers and anyone I could think of. Everyone was in the shop, even Weasel and Angel, two days before my party. We sat in the workroom and bullshitted. Dare walked back and leaned against the wall. I kept up my banter with Zayn and pretended he wasn’t there.
“If you’re cooking, I’m there.” Angel laughed and I did too.
I tilted my head toward Dare but didn’t look his way. “You too, boss.”
“Sure, Lila.”
Excited, I kept chattering with everyone until Weasel’s and Dare’s appointments arrived. I finally felt my feet were planted on the ground, and everything was okay. Zayn followed me to the reception area.
“Heard this rumor.” He looked all around.
“And?”
“You and Jericho?” He frowned at me.
“Are you judging me?” I asked, hating to lie to him.
“No, Mama, but you deserve... He’s not what he seems.”
“Everyone told me to pick, and I did, but it’s nothing going on soon. I want space between Dare and that, lots of space.”