CHAPTER ELEVEN

GRACE

Crossing's Cups & Cakes buzzes with activity, though I'm tucked far away from the front counter, chilling at a corner table with Elsie and Avery. The events of the past few weeks spilled out like a dam breaking loose, catching Avery up with everything since she's been so busy starting her new interior decorating business.

"Whoa, girl, you didn't waste time kicking your old life to the curb. I'm proud of you!" Avery pats my arm and grins, the diamond ring on her left hand sparkling under the lights.

"Same. And a little jealous. I need some of what you've got." Elsie pouts, no doubt stewing over the latest problem at the elementary school where she works. Between school politics and parent drama, it would be the prime spot for a show called The Real Teachers of Suitor's Crossing .

Slumping against the back of my chair, I shrug. "I don't feel like I actually did anything, though. It's more a matter of aligning coincidences, you know?"

" Heart sparks at work." Avery nods sagely.

"How many times do I have to walk across that damn bridge for them to start kicking in for me?" Elsie jokes, swallowing the last of her chai latte.

My phone vibrates on the table as Avery pep talks Elsie. There's a message from Wes, which immediately causes the coffee I consumed to roil around in my gut.

"Um… Wes just texted me. He wants to know if I'd like to go to a Reaper's Wolves party on Friday. What should I say?" I haven't heard from him since that awkward moment by my car when he declared his intentions then promptly ditched me.

"Yes! Duh. I met a couple of those guys when I worked at Design Time. They're nice. Not at all sketchy like some people think," Avery scoffs.

"But it's a biker party. They might be cool, but I'm definitely not. I'll be out of place."

"No, you won't. If Wes thinks you'll be fine, then you will be. Come on, don't fail us now. Look how far your bravery has gotten you. Hot kisses and a date with a sexy mechanic."

"I don't know if he considers this a date…"

"No way to know unless you go. And remember, you've got heart sparks on your side," Avery reminds me.

I'm not one hundred percent confident that's true, but my heart is definitely hopeful. After swiftly typing a reply to Wes, I set my phone down. I'm really doing this—attending a party at an MC compound.

And while I'm there, maybe I'll muster enough courage to confront Wes about this hot and cold act he's got going on.

Because I'm ready to find out if he really is my heart spark —if this pull between us is something more than a passing attraction—but he has to meet me halfway.