Chapter 8

Nate and I made a mess of a duo riding side by side in the parade. He was distracted by something going on with his daughter and one of the other bikers, while I couldn't stop scanning the crowd for signs of that blonde hair that would haunt my dreams for years.

I'd just about given up on finding Makenna when I spotted her near the end of the parade route, which was about a quarter of a mile down the mountain from the retreat center. I kept a serious face, even though my heart felt like it might soar right out of my chest. There was a chance I could win her over. I just had to convince her I wasn't the dick I'd been when we met seven years ago.

This time, I wouldn't mess this up like I had then.

I parked my bike in the retreat center parking lot, along with all the other bikes from the parade. Lunch was in the retreat center restaurant. I'd originally planned to join everyone, but now I was having second thoughts.

Makenna said she started work at ten, and since it was 9:30, my guess was that she'd come into work early. I wanted to stay in the parking lot until she arrived.

"I'll meet you inside, man," I told one of the guys as he passed me on the way in.

Nate had done a U-turn and headed out of the parking lot. He was probably on the hunt for the guy whose ass he wanted to kick.

I had to repeat my promise to come inside soon to a few other guys as I anxiously paced the sidewalk in front of the building. I didn't know what car she drove, but I perked up when a black SUV pulled in. That had to be her, right? Wrong. It was a few of the motorcycle wives who'd headed down the mountain to watch the parade.

But right behind them was a silver sedan. I told myself not to get my hopes up, pacing and avoiding looking in that direction. But when I heard a car door shut, I couldn't help but look up.

It was her.

My excitement was short-lived, though. Makenna took one look at me and froze next to her car. Did she think I was harassing her?

I nodded at the four biker wives, who breezed by me on their way into the building. Once they were past, I started toward Makenna, still standing next to her car. All I knew was that once I got to her, I'd better do some fancy talking. Problem was, I hadn't practiced this at all.

"Hi," I said as I approached.

Smooth. Real smooth. I'd definitely have to do better than that.

"Hi," she said.

Her gaze slid over to the front door to the retreat center. Like she saw it as her escape.

"I was a jerk before," I blurted.

I might not have planned to say those words, but I'd sure been thinking them nonstop. I'd barely slept last night as my mind replayed every second with Makenna—both yesterday and seven years ago.

"I wanted to stay in touch back then," I said. "But I returned to my life and?—"

"Forgot about me," she interrupted.

"Never." I shook my head. "But you were only eighteen. I told myself it was wrong of me to pull you into a long-distance relationship. You deserved to enjoy your twenties, sow your wild oats..."

"You could've at least told me," she said.

"I thought it would be better to just leave you with good memories." I shook my head. "Like I said, I was a jerk. An asshole. An immature prick."

I'd use every word in the book to beat myself up over the way I'd ghosted her the last time we were together. But the truth was, I was scared of getting too involved with her, plain and simple. I'd made a snap judgment and assumed she was too young to settle down.

But Makenna haunted my thoughts for a long time. Even if distance hadn't been a factor, I would've worried that she would only date me for a while, then she'd hit her twenties and realize she still had some things to do before she got married and started a family.

But even though she was older now, that wasn't why I trusted her. It was something I couldn't put my finger on, but this time, I knew this was the real deal.

"I'm glad you were a prick," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. "I was seriously infatuated with you. I even thought I was in love, but we only knew each other a few days. And I still had a lot of growing up to do." She looked around. "I just don't want to go through that now. Getting emotionally involved, only for you to ghost me once you get back to… Where is it you live?"

"I live in a suburb of Chicago," I said. "I mean, it's great, but it's nothing like this town."

Now, I was the one looking around. It was just a parking lot, but beyond that and the main drive that led into the retreat center, there was nothing but green grass and trees as far as the eye could see. My small house was packed in a neighborhood with hundreds of others. There was very little space between each of them.

"I could see myself settling down here," I said. "In fact, it's exactly what I want to do…if you'll give us a chance."

There was so much to be worked out. My work was back in Chicago, but it wasn't like contractors weren't needed in pretty much every town in America. In fact, most of the local bikers I'd met did construction.

"I'll figure it out," I said. "We'll figure it out together."

That was when I realized she was staring at me, a stunned expression on her face, like she couldn't believe a man would give up everything to be with her. That was exactly how I felt. In fact, I'd give up all my worldly possessions if it meant spending the rest of my life with Makenna.

I was in love with this woman. It was too early to say it out loud, but those words would be crossing my lips soon enough.

"Just give me a chance," I said, taking a tentative step toward her. "That's all I ask."

She uncrossed her arms and smiled at me. "Sure, but I have one request."

"What's that?"

"Don't break my heart."

Now I was the one who was smiling. We closed the rest of the remaining distance and kissed on it.

If she didn't have to get to work, I'd be whisking her away to my hotel room, but there'd be plenty of time for that later. The rest of our lives, in fact.