I glance at him. Sitting is simple?

The simplest. When you start thinking, thats when everything gets complicated.

I stare at him. Sometimes the things he says surprise me. Hes so different from the person I thought he was. The player or womanizer. Hes nothing like that. Hes so dare I say it: poetic? No. That sounds stupid. Besides, Ive never been one for poetry so I dont even know what Im talking about.

This is nice. You and me. Sitting here together. Im kind of getting used to it. Its much nicer than arguing with you every time we hang out.

I dont argue with you every time.

Sure He draws it out and chuckles.

He has a nice laugh.

Its getting hot out here. Sometimes I hate the summer.

I know. Me too. I should probably get back before I get sun burned.

Your cheeks are already a little pink. He reaches out as if to touch my cheek, making my heart beat like crazy, and then drops his hand and turns away from me.

I follow his lead as he jumps down from the rock. When its my turn, he reaches up and grabs my hand, helping me drop to the ground. My hand tingles from his touch, even through my gloves. It catches me off guard and, as I start toward my bike, I trip and almost fall on my face. Instead, Cole grabs me around the waist.

Uh I put my hands on his chest as he steadies me. I stare at my hands and, after a moments hesitation, drop them to my sides.

You okay? Hes still hanging on to me and I cant help but notice his hazel eyes are more blue today. Light and clear. Like the sky. And hes staring at me, totally realizing Im checking him out.

Yes. I pull away from him, embarra.s.sed. Sorry. Im usually not so clumsy.

I have that effect on girls.

You make them clumsy?

No. They seem to fall all over themselves to get my attention.

Oh, please. I step around him and wander over to my bike. I kneel down and pull my tool kit out of the pouch hooked to the bottom of my seat.

You have a flat?

Yep.

Do you need a hand?

Nope. I fix bikes for a living. Well sort of. Not really a living, but you know. For extra money and I stop talking when I see his amused expression. I know how to change a flat, okay?

He raises his hands up in defense. Right on. I was trying to be a gentleman, asking if the lady would like some help, but you look like youve got it covered.

I grin. This lady can take care of herself today.

Obviously.

I frown at him.

What?

He chuckles again and I ignore him.

I could change a flat tire in my sleep Ive done it so much. I grab my little blue tire lever and pry the tire away from the rim. Once I get the tire off, I grab the tube and pull it out. Its completely flat, so I set it on the ground next to me and pull a new tube out of the pouch. I check the tire for nasty stickers, since I accidentally plowed through a weed patch, and find a mother of a beast stuck on the other side. Its a doozy. No wonder I got a flat. After pulling it out, I check for more, but dont find any.

The entire time I work, I can feel Cole staring at me, but I dont look up. He makes me too nervous.

Youre fast.

I shrug. Not really. I pull out a CO2 cartridge after I put the new tube back in the tire and put it back to the rim. The CO2 fills the tube up with air in seconds.

Good little tricks to have. Especially during a race. Once Im finished, I stand and wipe off my dusty clothes.

Nothing like watching a girl change a tire.

I glance over and give Cole a strange look. What?

You just dont see it very often. It was pretty hot.

I chuckle. Right. I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and freeze when Coles fingers touch my cheek. He rubs his thumb along my cheekbone and Im afraid to look up at him again.

You had some dirt on your face.

Oh?

He chuckles. Yes. But seriously. I could watch you work on bikes all day. And I promise, Im not trying to be creepy That was totally creepy. Not really, but I have to say it so it sounds like I dont enjoy him looking at me. Or enjoy me looking at him. Or Im confusing myself.

I put my helmet back on and, as I go to climb on my bike, Cole surprises me by grabbing my hand.

I stare at our hands as he steps closer to me, making my stomach do all sorts of crazy flips. Can I ask you something?

Sure. Im glad my voice is steady right now because Im kind of terrified by the way hes looking at me. So serious. And theres something else in his expression that I cant quite read. Which scares me even more.

Go out with me.

My eyes widen. What?

You heard me. Go out with me. On a real date.

Cole"

Before you say no, hear me out. Hes still hanging on to my hand. I like it. Too much. So much so that I want to tell the voice in my head warning me to run away to shut up. Which is so not like me. I was serious last night about wanting to get to know you better. The real you. The one I saw last year before things happened.

Before Lucas happened. Im not the same"

I know. But I still like hanging out with you. I think youre an awesome biker, youre funny and sarcastic. A little stubborn sometimes, but its cute on you.

How can stubbornness be cute on me? Its not a piece of clothing.

He shrugs. It doesnt make sense to me either, but the fact is you are stubborn.

Okay. We all know that. Everyone knows that. Lets not bring it up anymore, okay?

Deal.

Great.

Anyway, back to asking you out. Like I said before. I like you. His gaze slides to the trees and he clears his throat before looking back at me. His cheeks are a little red. Ive never seen him get embarra.s.sed or uncomfortable before. To be honest, its kind of cute. And I totally just embarra.s.sed myself for saying that, but when its true, its true.

What the what? My face heats and I try to pull my hand away, but he doesnt let go. I think youre on something.

Trust me. Youd know if I was on something. He laughs. So, heres the deal. All I ask is one date. Put our differences aside and go to dinner.

You sound like youre in a movie or something.

He laughs. Thats what Im going for. Dont you like romantic comedies?

Some.

Good. Because I swear Im in one right now making a fool of myself.

I cant help it. I bust up laughing.

He chuckles as well as his cheeks turn pink. Anyway, if the date sucks then you dont ever have to talk to me again. Unless you beat Whitney next Sat.u.r.day. Then youll have to join our team again. But I wont bug you about going out with me again.

You wont?

No.

I study him. Hes totally serious. I dont want to rush into saying yes, though. It would overinflate his ego even more. Ill think about it.

Really?

Yes.

So, its not a flat out no then?

I shake my head. No. Ill think about it and let you know.

Great. Lets say Friday night.

I havent said yes yet!

He grins. You didnt say no either. He drops my hand and gets on his bike.

Fl.u.s.tered, I get on my bike too and wait to see what hes going to do. He lifts a hand and gestures toward the trail. Ladies first.

I shrug. Okay. I push off, and in seconds Im flying downhill, guiding my bike over rocks and a tree root here and there. The wind blasts across my face, warmer than earlier. I know Im going to be bright red once I get home.

We make it to the bottom in record time, and of course Cole is right behind me. I sort of wish he would have gone first so I could check out his moves. I know hes an awesome climber, but Ive heard his downhill is even better.

Need a ride home? he asks as he takes his gloves off.

Ive got my car. Thanks, though.

He glances at the car and raises an eyebrow. Glad its working again.

Me too.

I hook up my bike to my rack as he does the same to his. Once its good and tight, I take my helmet and CamelBak off and throw them in the back seat.

Coles watching me and I blush under his gaze. This was nice, Marty. We should do it more often.

Sure.

He grins and takes a step closer, leaning on my car door. I guess Ill see you later.

Okay.

Have a good day, Marty.

I groan. Do you really have to call me that every time you talk to me?

He moves away from me and opens the door of his truck. You love it.

I dont want to admit its growing on me. A little.

CHAPTER 13.

Friday comes fast. Too fast. Im not ready for our date, and Cole is supposed to pick me up at seven.

Ten minutes from now.

Im sure h.e.l.l be late. Arent most guys? Honestly I have no idea. I havent been out with someone for so long. Ive kind of forgotten the proper etiquette and all that. That is, if the guy has any etiquette to begin with.

Emmy, are you sure you dont want any dinner? Dad yells from upstairs.

Yes! I yell while brushing my teeth. Toothpaste flies out of my mouth and onto the mirror in front of me.

Awesome.