Goldie(Night Rebels MC Romance Book 4)(6)

"You're welcome to come over and hang by the pool anytime. I told Claudia the same thing." She studied the nail color again. "I really wanted a blue that looked like denim."

"Would you like me to bring you some other blue polishes?" the manicurist asked.

"That'd be great." Hailey watched as the woman hurried over to a large display filled with nail polishes. "What did you think of the artist from that tattoo parlor?"

"The one who gave you the ink job? He did an awesome job. Are you loving your tat?"                       
       
           



       

"Yeah. He was so gorgeous. And did you see all the ink on his arms? Did you see his arms? They were delicious."

Rory laughed. "You and biceps. The guy was great-looking, and he had a real badass vibe about him. I know that's what you're picking up on. You've always had a thing about bad boys. I can't understand it. Me, I'll take a nice guy every time. They're usually so eager to please, so loyal, and they treat women like goddesses."

Hailey giggled. "I wouldn't say that Sage was any catch. He was acting like such the attentive gentleman and he was banging that woman in his office the whole time he was with you."

"A nice guy in bad boy's clothing." Rory laughed.

The nail tech handed Hailey a denim blue polish. "Do you like this one?"

"Yes, that's perfect. Thanks." She picked up her iced tea and took a sip. "Anyway, I thought he was seriously sexy. I wish he was the one I was going out to dinner with tonight. Don't give me that look, I'm just saying."

"I can guarantee Brent can run circles around that tattoo guy. He may not be as good-looking or have a ripped body like that guy has, but Brent is a nice, decent man. You have to give him a chance. Ever since I can remember, you've always drifted toward the bad boys. Like that friend of Ryan's. What was his name?"

"Garth?"

"Yeah, that's it. You had such a crush on him."

"I wouldn't say he was a bad boy."

Rory's eyes widened. "Are you joking? He was always fighting and getting into trouble. And remember when he bought a motorcycle? He used to ride around the neighborhood purposely making as much noise as he could. Remember how it pissed off Mrs. Glover?"

Hailey laughed. "I forgot about that. I guess he was a badass. I didn't see him that way because I knew him as Ryan's friend for such a long time. He was pretty cute on his bike though." A flutter of shivers tickled her as she recalled Garth and how he used to look at her when she was in high school.

"I wonder whatever happened to him."

"Ryan told me he joined a biker gang."

"Is it the Night Rebels?"

Hailey shrugged. "I don't think he told me the name of it. I just know he told me he was in it, and that he was a major womanizer."

"I bet it is. That's the only motorcycle club around here. They're like totally scary. If I see them on the street, I don't even look at them." Rory ran her hands up and down her arms as if she'd been seized by a sudden chill.

"I guess that's why Ryan told me not to look him up."

"If he's a member of the Night Rebels, you definitely don't want to reconnect. And I'm not surprised to find out he's a player. He was that way when we were in high school. He was always with a new girl and had a line of them waiting to go out with him. That's what I mean about bad boys. Give me a nice guy any time."

"I do like a guy with a rough edge, but a motorcycle gang is too rough. Although, I'm still curious as to how he looks now that he's a man."

"Take Ryan's advice and let it go. Now, tell me what you're going to wear tonight. I hope you guys hit it off so you can double-date with me and Troy. This is going to be such a fun summer."

After they were done with their pedicures, they stepped out into the bright sun and firmed up their plans for that evening. A bemused smile played on Hailey's lips until she slid into her car. Rory was so excited about her and Brent hitting it off that she already had her whole year planned out with him. Pretty soon she'll be leafing through bridal magazines to find the perfect wedding dress for me. Of the three of them, Rory was the romantic, Claudia was the skeptic, and Hailey was the realist.

She made a right turn at the light and headed up Santa Nella Street. It was in the opposite direction of where she lived, but the perfect way to go to the tattoo shop. I just want to see if I can spot him. Rory would be so disappointed. She snickered and turned on Saguro Street. Five blocks on each side of the street housed restaurants, bars, some funky boutiques, and Get Inked. She slowed down as she passed by the yellow storefront, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Nothing. She went around the block. You're totally crazy. He dissed you. Why the hell are you making a fool of yourself?

Again she slowed in front of the shop. That time she saw a man with a muscular build, blond hair, full inked sleeves, and several facial piercings, but it wasn't the blond she was dying to see. She pursed her lips; she couldn't go by again. Shaking her head, she turned off Saguro and made her way to her aunt's house.                       
       
           



       

Her aunt lived in a three-bedroom, two-bath Victorian in the historic district of Alina. She'd always loved Patty's house when she and Ryan used to come over after school. Her aunt always had fresh-baked cookies or cheese and apple slices waiting for them when they arrived. But what she'd loved most about the house was all the nooks and crannies: a small room under the stairs, corner cupboards, many bay windows, and a hidden staircase behind the wall in the library.

Since coming back to Alina, she'd stayed with her aunt, and now that Patty was in the rehab center, Hailey lived in the wonderful house all alone. She smiled when she entered the sitting room and saw prisms of light from the beveled glass windows dancing on the mosaic-tiled floor. As a child, she'd been fascinated by the small chunky rainbows. She slumped down on one of the cushy chairs and thumbed through the mail.

I hope tonight turns out well. The last blind date she had several months before was a disaster. One of the customers at the floral shop had insisted that Hailey go out on a date with her nephew. When she'd finally relented, she'd found herself fighting him off most of the night.

I wonder if the tattoo guy was at the shop working on someone. I bet he sees a lot of pretty women. Her cheeks heated when she recalled his hands on her butt. She still couldn't believe she let him see her ass. Why do I keep thinking about him? Even if he were interested in me, he'd turn out to be an asshole. I just know it. Most men are, and you take his good looks and raw sexiness, and he just spells trouble.

Her phone pinged. She looked at the screen. Rory. Why did I think it might have been him? I don't even know his name. Crazy.

Rory: I think ur white skirt is better than ur black. U always wear black. U don't want Brent to think u're goth.

Hailey shook her head.

Hailey: If he thinks I'm goth just bc I wear black, he's an idiot. See u soon. :)

She slipped her phone into her pocket and went to get ready for her night out.

* * *

With its window boxes of trailing sweet potato vines, orange and yellow marigolds, and red miniature roses, Chianti's had a homey feel to it. Spread around the front patio were wrought iron tables and chairs under earth-toned umbrellas. Inside, the eatery's walls were covered by watercolors of Italy. The bar had fancy bottles housing liqueurs and brandies from around the world.

There was always a crowd at Chianti's, as the family-owned restaurant boasted some of the best Italian food in the county. Hailey, Brent, Rory, and Troy sat at one of the outside tables.

"Isn't it nice out here?" Rory asked.

"I think it's too hot. We should sit inside," Troy replied.

"I'm okay. It's cold most of the year, so when I can sit out and eat, I enjoy it." Rory tossed her hair over her shoulder.

"I think it's perfect," Hailey said as she reached for the glass of water the busser placed in front of her.

"Works for me." Brent smiled broadly at Hailey.

"I guess the majority wins on this one." Hailey chuckled when Troy stared sourly at her.

After they placed their orders, they chatted about the restaurant and the upcoming summer; there was an excitement in the town since the winter had been so bitterly cold.

"It'll probably rain and ruin most of the summer," Troy said as he placed a generous portion of the antipasto on his plate.

Rory's face fell. "Oh don't say that. It has to be a perfect summer. I was so cold all winter that the only thing that kept me going was knowing summer was coming."

"Just saying. You know how it goes around here. Remember a few summers ago when it rained and hailed most of the time?"

Changing the subject, Hailey interjected, "Rory and I are planning to have a pool party."

"You have a pool?" Brent asked.

"My aunt does. I'm staying at her house while she rehabs."

"If it's lightning, we may all fry in your pool," Troy said.

"Troy!" Rory poked his arm.