Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 40

CHAPTER 24-2

For the record we are not intentionally damaging club motorcycles.” Jace said and Hunter nodded

enthusiastically.

“Absolutely not.” Hunter said and Mason scratched the back of his neck.

“Well…” Mason said and everyone turned toward him.

“What?” I asked.

“I mean, Hunter did hit that pothole on purpose.” Mason said and Hunter looked horrified.

“It wasn’t on purpose.” Hunter said.

“You said you wanted to see what the suspension would do.” Mason said.

“I was conducting research.” Hunter said.

“You were showing off.” Mason said.

“I was demonstrating confidence.” Hunter said.

“You bent the front rim.” Mason said and Hunter looked at me.

“That happened later.” Hunter said and I folded my arms.

“So we’re calling that an accident?” I asked.

“It became one.” He said.

The entire parking lot burst into laughter and even Derek gave up trying to defend anyone so I

shook my head.

“I’ve reached a conclusion.” I said and Jace looked resigned.

“I’m almost afraid to ask.” Jace said.

“You people are hopeless.” I said and Hunter grinned.

“Probably. But entertaining.” Hunting said.

“I’ll reluctantly agree with that.” I said and I hadn’t laughed this much in years.

Not the careful laugh I used around my parents when I was expected to be polite.

Not the fake laugh that came with charity galas and business dinners. This was effortless. Nobody expected perfection here and nobody cared whether my shoes matched my handbag or whether I

knew which fork belong with which course.

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CHAPTER 24 2

They cared whether the coffee was fresh and whether someone’s motorcycle made it home safely.

The difference still surprise me and most importantly, it made me feel comfortable in a way I hadn’t expected.

Somewhere along the way these people had stopped feeling like customers. They’d become part of my every day life.

The afternoon finally slowed enough for me to catch my breath and Mia looked over the top of the computer screen before smiling.

“You’ve got about thirty minutes before you next pickup.” Mia said.

“I’d forgotten what thirty spare minutes looked like.” I said

“Perfect.” A familiar voice drifted in from the front door.

I looked up to find Emma standing in the reception area twith two reusable shopping bags hanging

from one shoulder and she smiled warmly.

“I’ve come to borrow you.” Emma added and I laughed.

“I’m not sure I can be borrowed.” I said.

“You absolutely car.” She said and Emma looked toward Miz.

“Can she?” Emma asked and I pointed at the appointment board.

“Are you sure? You did hire me for a reason. Go.” Mia said so she gently pushed me toward the

front door. So I gave in with a dramatic sigh.

“If the building catches fire, call me.” I called out.

“If Hunter starts trying to fix things, I’ll definitely call.” Ben called out and Hunter looked offended from the workshop.

“I heard that.” Hunter said.

“You were supposed to.” I said.

A few minutes later Emma and I wandered through the small downtown shopping district carrying takeaway coffees.

It felt strangely… normal. We stopped in a bookstore where Emma bought a picture book for one of the club’s younger children and then wandered into a homewares store because she wanted some

new kitchen towels.

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“I know. My life is wildly exciting.” She admitted.

“don’t know. This one looks dangerous.” I said as I held up a right orange towel.

“It clashes with everything.” She said.

“So does Hunter.” I said and Emma laughed so hard she had to stop walking.

“You fit in with us far too well.” She said.

Her words stayed with me as we continued browsing through little shops I’d driven past hundreds

of times without every going inside.

Growing up, shopping had meant designer boutiques, personal assistants and conversations

about brands.

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