Questions I won't answer
1393 Words
(Mira)
I made it through the rest of my shift without thinking too much about Ridge watching me. Or at least, I tried not to think about it. Every time I walked past the bar, I could feel his eyes on me. Not in a creepy way. More like he was trying to figure something out.
Good luck with that. I barely had myself figured out.
By the time two o'clock rolled around, my feet hurt and I smelled like beer and fried food. Hank counted out my tips and handed me sixty three dollars in cash. Not bad for a Thursday night.
"You're doing good," he said. "Keep it up and you'll make decent money here."
"Thanks."
I headed upstairs, locked my door, and collapsed on the bed. My phone was still off. I'd been checking it every few hours, turning it on just long enough to see if Tyler had tried to call again. So far, nothing new. Maybe he'd given up. Maybe he'd moved on to someone else.
Or maybe he was just biding his time.
I turned the phone off again and closed my eyes. Sleep came fast.
***
The next morning, I woke up to someone knocking on my door. For a second I thought it was Tyler and my heart went crazy. Then I remembered where I was.
"Yeah?" I called out.
"It's Harlow. Can I come in?"
I got out of bed and opened the door. Ridge's sister stood there holding two coffee cups and a paper bag.
"I brought breakfast," she said, walking in. "Hope you like donuts."
"You didn't have to do that."
"I know. But I wanted to." She set everything on the dresser and handed me a coffee. "Black, right? You seem like a black coffee person."
She was right, but I didn't tell her that. "Thanks."
"So." Harlow sat on the edge of my bed. "I know I bombarded you with questions last night at the bar. Sorry about that. I get excited when there's someone new in town."
"It's fine."
"Good. Because I have a favor to ask." She pulled a donut out of the bag. "My mom's having a family dinner tonight and she's making Ridge bring someone. He's probably going to ask you."
I froze. "Why would he ask me?"
"Because you're new and interesting, and my mom's been on his case about dating for like two years." Harlow grinned. "Don't worry, it's not a real date or anything. She just wants to meet you. She's nosy like that."
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not? Free food, and my mom's an amazing cook. Plus, my dad's hilarious when he's had a few drinks."
"I barely know Ridge."
"That's the point. You get to know him. And us. We're very lovable once you get past the whole biker thing." She finished her donut and stood up. "Just think about it, okay? Ridge will probably ask you later anyway."
She left before I could argue.
I drank my coffee and ate a donut, thinking about what she'd said. A family dinner. With Ridge's parents. That sounded like the kind of thing people did when they were actually dating, not when one person had just given the other a job out of pity.
But Harlow had been nice to me. And I didn't have anywhere else to be.
I pushed the thought away and got ready for my shift.
***
Ridge showed up at the bar around five. I was wiping down tables when he walked over.
"Got a minute?" he asked.
"Sure."
He looked uncomfortable, which was weird. Ridge didn't seem like the type to get uncomfortable about anything.
"My sister probably already told you," he said. "But my mom wants me to bring someone to dinner tonight. Harlow thought you might want to come."
There it was.
"It's not really my thing," I said.
"Fair enough. Just thought I'd ask." He started to walk away, then stopped. "You don't have to if you don't want to. But my mom makes really good food, and Harlow won't shut up about you if you don't show up."
I hesitated. The smart thing would be to say no. Keep my head down, work my shifts, save my money, and leave. Getting involved with Ridge's family was the opposite of keeping a low profile.
But I was tired of running. Tired of being alone. And maybe, just for one night, I could pretend I was normal.
"Okay," I said. "I'll come."
He looked surprised. "Yeah?"
"Yeah. But I don't have anything nice to wear. I didn't exactly pack for family dinners when I left."
"I can get something from one of the old ladies. Cassidy's about your size."
"You don't have to do that."
"I know." He said it like it was decided. "I'll have something here by six. We leave at six thirty."
"Ridge, really, I can just wear what I have."
He stepped closer. Not threatening, but enough that I had to look up to meet his eyes. "Mira. Let me help you."
It wasn't a question. It was a statement. The same tone he'd used when he told me trouble in his town was his business.
My stomach did something weird. Not scared. Something else. Something that made my skin feel warm and my brain go a little fuzzy.
"Okay," I said.
"Good." He stepped back. "Six o'clock."
He walked away and I stood there trying to figure out what the hell just happened. That side of Ridge, the one that didn't ask but told, should have set off every alarm in my head. Tyler had been controlling. Demanding. But when Ridge did it, it didn't feel the same. It felt like he was taking care of something so I didn't have to worry about it.
And that was dangerous in a completely different way.
***
At six, Cassidy showed up with a dress. It was simple, dark blue, with long sleeves and a hem that hit just above the knee. Not too fancy, but nicer than anything I'd brought with me.
"Ridge said you needed something to wear," she said, handing it over. "This should fit."
"Thank you. I'll get it back to you tomorrow."
"Keep it. I've got a closet full of stuff I never wear." She looked me over. "You nervous?"
"Should I be?"
"Nah. Ridge's parents are great. His mom's a little intense, but she means well. And his dad's a sweetheart." Cassidy grinned. "Just don't let them talk you into staying for drinks after dinner. They'll keep you there all night."
"Noted."
She left and I changed into the dress. It fit perfectly. I brushed my hair and put on the little bit of makeup I had with me. When I looked in the mirror, I almost didn't recognize myself. I looked normal. Like someone who went to family dinners and had a life that wasn't falling apart.
Harlow had been right about one thing. Mira was short for something. Mirabelle. My grandmother's name. But I'd stopped using it years ago. Tyler had always called me Mirabelle, drawing it out like he was tasting it. Like it belonged to him. My parents called me Belle.
Mira felt like mine. Like something he couldn't touch.
I went downstairs at six thirty. Ridge was waiting by the door in dark jeans and a black button down shirt. He'd left his vest behind, which made him look different. Less like a biker, more like a regular guy.
He looked me over when I walked up. "You look good."
"Thanks. So do you."
His mouth almost curved into a smile. Almost.
"Ready?" he asked.
"As I'll ever be."
We headed outside to his truck. Not the motorcycle this time. He opened the passenger door for me and I climbed in.
As we pulled out of the parking lot, I looked out the window and tried not to think about what I was doing. Going to dinner with Ridge's family. Wearing a borrowed dress. Pretending, just for one night, that I wasn't running from anything.
It was stupid. Reckless. Exactly the kind of thing I shouldn't be doing.
But as Ridge drove through town, his hand resting on the gearshift, I realized I didn't care.
For the first time in a long time, I wanted to stay.
- Writer
