Rex and I both bust out laughing, as she walks over and high fives Sass. We forget Doll grew up around bikers and our brash language. We get settle on the bikes and pull out. The ride to Utah does nothing to calm my need and want for the woman on the back of my bike. If there’s one thing I don’t need to do, it’s have sex with Doll again.

26

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

The weather stalls us once we cross over into Utah. We’re under an overpass waiting for the rain shower to move through. Tripp steps away to make a phone call. I’m unsure where things stand between us. Determined not to overthink all of this, I’ve decided where Talon ‘Tripp’ Crews is concerned, I’m going to go with the flow.

Rex is wiping down both bikes, leaving Sass and I waiting around. She is standing beside me as the cars pass us by.

“Okay love, we haven’t had our girl time lately. Spill it, bitch.” Turning to face me, she’s smiling.

Laughing at her, I reply. “I don’t know. Tripp triggers so much inside of me.”

“You’ve got it bad, Doll. Never has anyone gotten you this smitten.”

Pushing her playfully, “smitten? Did you really call me smitten?”

“Sure did. If the shoe fits, wear it Cinderella.” She puts her hands on her hips as she is holding in the laughter that’s threatening to pour out of her. I’ve never been the one to get hung up on a guy. For her this is better than reality TV.

“I. Am. Not. Smitten. We’re in extenuating circumstances.” She nods at me with a ‘know it all’ smile. “Damn it, okay, I’m smitten. I’m head over heels in lust with Tripp. There. Happy now?”

“You’re more than in lust with him. Admit it. There’s a whole lot more going on then raging hormones.”

Unable to bring myself to admit it, I look at her with pleading in my eyes. She wraps her arms around me knowing I need the comfort of my best friend right now. What if this is all one sided? We don’t really know each other. Do people develop feelings this quickly? Am I setting myself up for heartbreak? Pulling back to face her again, I respond.

“Sass, what if it’s not real? Look at the chaos surrounding us. I can’t say that I love him because that would seem like a fantasy to fall in love so quickly. I’m not stupid enough to say that I don’t have feelings for him. Yes, I’m attracted to him. Beyond the physical though, I want to know him. What makes him tick? What makes him smile? The man inside his soul calls to me to go deeper and find him.”

Her face draws serious. “Fate has a way of giving us exactly what we need, when we need it. Tripp’s your protector at the time you’ve needed it the most. He’s also been your security in all of this. Whether you make the emotions swirling around you last a day, or a lifetime, you live in the moment. Whatever you’re feeling right now, don’t you dare turn your back on it out of fear. Doing so will leave you with a lifetime of what ifs.”