Page 12 (2/2)

"Just ure et an apartment near school and just drive in every day"

She ju in the wind "What do you do out here all alone?" She followsthe switch for the lights as I pass in behind her

She gasps in surprise as she takes in the roohn I nized a Triu, and at least one brother rides, so I know you have soe about bikes But what I don’t know is if that interest is really you or just a byproduct of your upbringing"

Her fingertips caress the cherry-red tank on a custo on all suht over to the Blackbird and swings her leg over She looks daood on that bike "I could ask you the sarips the handles and leans over like she’s pretending to ride How fking cute is that?

"I learned to love them as a kid, but these bikes are my future Can you ride?"

She shakes her head no "My dad and brothers" This seems to be a common thehs "They do I live at hoet my own place, I don’t have a lot of clients yet I just started at the shop a feeeks ago"

"Well, I can’t blame them, really If I had a sister as perfect as you, I’d never let her leave home or ride a bike either"

She s her bright blue eyes "What about shoot a gun?"

I walk over to her and swingbehind her She hisses out an exhale, like I just surprised her When I wrap my arms around her waist, she moans "Guns are a lot safer than bikes, Ronnie," I whisper in her ear "Shooting is soainst her belly, then slip them inside the bottom of her tank top

She draws in a breath

"Do you want me to stop, Ronnie?"

Veronica hesitates and I pull back, but her hands grab htly "No, I don’t want you to stop" She looks over her shoulder atfaster than it was a few seconds ago