Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 51

CHAPTER 31-1

CHAPTER 31-1

e kiss inside the garage changed everything. Not in a dramatic way that I expected. Nobody suddenly treated me differently or questioned whether I belonged around the Iron Vipers. If anything everyone simply carried on exactly as they had before except how Hunter had an endless

supply of terrible jokes that somehow all revolved around me and Jace.

By Wednesday morning I had already threatened to throw three different rags at him.

He claimed that was progress but I called it self preservation.

I woke just after six, showers, brushed my teeth and got dressed before make coffee.

For the first in years I wasn’t waking up wondering what disaster waited around the corner.

Instead, I caught myself wondering when I’d see Jace and that realization made me smile. It

almost made me nervous.

After carrying my coffee downstairs I unlocked the garage and began my usual routine.

The roller door rattled open and the lights flickered to life and I checked the appointment board Mia had carefully organized the afternoon before.

Every single bay was booked and the waiting list stretched into next week.

Business was thriving and Ben arrived carrying a box of filters.

“You look suspiciously cheerful.” Ben said.

“I had coffee.” I said.

“I think that’s the reason.” He said.

“It definitely helped.” I said.

He grinned but wisely chose not to push the subject and a few minutes later Mia walked in

balancing her handbag, a travel mug and two breakfast muffins.

“I brought extra.” Mia said.

“I’ve somehow hired two people who think I’m incapable of feeding myself.” I said.

“You skip breakfast when you’re busy.” Mia said.

“I’ve been unfairly judged.” I said.

“You’ve been accurately observed.” She said.

The morning passed quickly. Customers came and went, motorcycles rolled through the workshop

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CHAPTER 31 1

and the familiar rhythm of the garage settled around me once again

Around lunchtime Enna wandered through the front door carrying two iced coffees.

“I need to borrow Paige.” Emma said and Ben looked at me.

“Should I prepare a missing person report?” Ben asked.

“Only if she starts making me shop for throw pillows.” I said and Emma laughed.

“I make no promises.” Emma said.

25 Paintá

I climbed into Emma’s SUV a few minutes later and instead of driving away, she parked beneath a

large maple tree beside the garage.

“You’ve been thinking.” Emma said and I turned to look at her.

“Am I that obvious?” I asked.

“You’ve been staring into space every time someone mentions Jace.” She said and I smiled a little

sheepishly.

“I’ve been wondering whether this is going to make things complicated?” I asked.

“For who?” She asked.

“The club. He’s the president. I don’t want people thinking I’m getting special treatment.” I said and Emma smiled warmly before taping a sip of her coffee.

“Paige. Can I tell you something?” She asked.

“Always.” I said.

“You’ve been part of this family for weeks.” She said.

“I only started dating Jace yesterday.” I said.

“You started becoming family long before that.” She said as she looked toward the garage where Hunter was unsuccessfully trying to convince Ben that a donut counted as lunch.

“You came to Sunday dinner. You played with the kids. You fixed people’s motorcycle when they couldn’t afford the repairs straight away and you never asked for recognition. You simply showed

up.” She said and I looked down at my coffee.

“I still worry.” I said.

“I know. The people in this club follow Jace because they respect him. And they’re going to respect the woman he chose for exactly the same reason.” She said reaching across the center

console and squeezed my hand.

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