Axle E-Book

Bianca Lee Ward

• Herausgeber: Bianca Lee
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

She’s a wager, a game…
I’ll pretend she’s mine, such a pretty little lie.
I’m exactly the type of guy Elena should stay away from.
Sweet, innocent women like her don’t look for relationships in motorcycle clubs. Especially one as classy and out of my league as Elena.
I can’t resist swiping right on her dating profile for fun. I never imagined we’d be a match. I know I’d only be a quick thrill for her, but I’m getting tired of the women at the clubhouse anyway.
Then my club brother Viper goes and ups the stakes: he bets me one thousand dollars that I won’t be able to have a relationship with Elena.
With my wicked smile and flirty charm, she won’t be able to resist me. And like my other hookups, I can’t let it get personal.
Until I let my guard down and she becomes my ride or die.
Which means I’ve got to make sure as hell that Elena never finds out about our bet… 


Get ready to fall in love with the protective alpha men of the War Brothers Motorcycle Club. Each standalone book promises an emotionally captivating small-town romance with a deliciously dark twist.

Leseprobe

AXLE

WAR BROTHERS MC

BIANCA LEE WARD

CONTENTS

Also by Bianca Lee

1. A New Horizon

2. Trying to Be Optimistic

3. The Bet

4. Dating App

5. Half-Truths

6. Surprise!

7. Taking a Chance

8. Losing Control

9. Absolutely Mortified

10. Survival of the Fittest

11. Pretty Little Lie

12. Whiplash

13. He’s a Storm of Charisma and Chaos

14. I’ve Corrupted Her

15. He’s a Drug and I Crave Another Hit

16. Perfection

17. Rip My Heart Apart

18. Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

19. War of Guilt

20. Broken Trust

21. She’s My Ride or Die

22. I Am His and He Is Mine

23. Commitment

Sneak Peek at Reaper

Resources

Acknowledgments

About the Author

This book contains adult themes and is not suitable for persons under the age of 18.

For information regarding possible triggers, please see www.biancaleeward.com or contact [email protected].

Axle

Copyright © Bianca Lee Ward 2024

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

All rights reserved.

Copyright Notice: No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal.

Cover Photo: Shutterstock 1097341256

Cover Designer: [email protected]

ALSO BY BIANCA LEE

REAPER

War Brothers MC

I let her go once because she wasn’t mine.

This time, I’ll die before I give her up…

I want her.

That smile… those curves.

But Ava doesn’t belong to me.

Then she arrives in my clubhouse, seeking refuge. My gut churns at the sight of the bruises on her face, the fear in her eyes.

Before I was the president of the War Brothers Motorcycle Club, I was a special forces sniper who hunted down evil men like her husband. Now I avoid relationships because the wounds I have are more than skin deep.

But Ava’s different, and when I find her in the wrong bedroom—my bedroom—one night, what happens next changes everything.

I let her go once because she was married, but I won’t make the same mistake twice.

I’ll die before I let her dangerous husband, the jealous women in our club, or the enemy our club didn’t see coming lay a finger on her.

Because this time around, Ava is mine.

Grab your copy of Reaper now.

BOMBER

War Brothers MC

I won’t lose her again.

But our family secrets could tear us apart…

It’s been ten years since I was forced to let Zara go. I joined the military and fought hard to forget her, but since I returned home to become our club’s Sergeant at Arms, I’ve always watched from afar to make sure she’s safe.

Now Zara is back in Crown Village on the anniversary of a traumatic event that changed her family forever. And I can’t stay away.

I can see the longing for me in her eyes, yet she hesitates to get too close. She’s scared to trust me again, and I don’t blame her.

When new information linked to her family tragedy comes to light, I’m determined to help solve the mystery and find the answers she needs because the War Brothers MC protects our own.

But digging up the past means revealing secrets that someone wants to remain dead and buried. And when they’re uncovered, they have the power to destroy our bond forever…

Grab your copy of Bomber now.

VIPER

War Brothers MC

I’ve got one month to convince her to be my wife…

Until I laid eyes on Sophie, I never planned on marriage. All that changed after our hot night together in Vegas.

Now she regrets our impulsive Vegas wedding and is demanding a divorce. But I’m not signing the papers. Hell no! I’ll give up every single one of my womanizing ways for a woman like her.

Sophie thinks I’m only infatuated with her looks, except I see how everyone underestimates her. I’m not intimidated by her wealth, her modeling career, and the trail of broken hearts she leaves behind her. What we have is different.

I’ve lived my whole life unable to feel anything thanks to my rough childhood, but for Sophie, I’ll risk everything. Her rich father and the jealous women in my club aren’t going to stand in my way.

If she wants a divorce, she’ll have to spend one month with me at the War Brothers clubhouse. Sleeping in my bed.

Then we’ll see if she still refuses to say I do…

Grab your copy of Viper now.

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PLAYLIST

Just Like You – Falling In Reverse

Natural Disaster – Laidback Luke & Example

The Death of Peace of Mind – Bad Omens

I Knew You Were Trouble – Taylor Swift

Nowhere – Smooth feat. Tasha Baxter

Poison – Groove Coverage

Lead You On – Phix

Deadbeat – WesGhost

Underneath – Phix & Ryan Oakes

Sexy and I Know It – LMFAO

Up – Cardi B

Spine – WesGhost

Barley Breathing – Ashes to New feat. Against The Current

Curiosity – Bryce Savage

My Happy Ending – Avril Lavigne

Roses – Phix & Atlus

Wicked Game – Grace Carter

Hate Me – Ellie Goulding & Juice WRLD

Look What You Made Me Do – Our Last Night

Human – Elijah feat. Matty Mullins

Porcelain – Motionless in White

Until It’s Gone – Linkin Park

Bad Things – I Prevail

Alone – I Prevail

Rollin’ – Limp Bizkit

Even In The Dark – jxdn

I Think I’m Okay – MGK, YUNGBLUD & Travis Barker

Here With Me – Marshmello & CHVRCHES

Do or Die – Natalie Jane

The High – Bryce Savage

ONE

A NEW HORIZON

Elena

“You have reached your destination,” my phone’s GPS app says. I pull over, mount the curb, and cringe at my terrible driving skills. I scan my surroundings and sigh in relief—no one saw that. It’s late afternoon. Despite using a navigation app, I still got lost and could have arrived earlier.

The two-story redbrick house is average looking. It will be my new home in Crown Village, a small coastal town with a lake and beaches. I already know I’m going to love it here. My previous town just didn’t feel like home.

Closing my eyes, I recall the first time I told my parents I was leaving.

Mom’s mouth is wide; her eyes bulge and then narrow. “No! You’re not leaving.”

I clench my shaking hands in front of me. “I got a job as a waitress at a respectable restaurant.” I smile, thinking if my parents see how happy it’ll make me, they’ll be happy.

“Why are you moving away from us?” Dad asks. “You gave up college . . . now you’re taking up another waitressing job away from us and your sister?” His disapproving glare slices through me like a blade.

I frown. I’ll miss my sister, Ava, but that’s about it. I shake my head to get rid of these thoughts—I need to stay positive.

Two girls in bikinis, with towels around their shoulders, rush out of the front door of the house and dash past across the lawn. They’re probably going to the beach; it’s not far. That’s what the ad said, at least. I’m renting a bedroom in a shared house because that’s all I can afford in this town. It’s so expensive here.

When I step out of the car on shaky legs, the breeze swirls around me, flicking my hair. I inhale the fresh, salty air. I could get used to this. I had to escape my small hometown and experience life while I’m still young. A sudden flicker of nerves makes my heart pump in my chest. I roll my shoulders back. “Pull yourself together,” I mumble under my breath.

After closing the car door, I walk across the lawn and stand by the front door. I knock. “Hello,” I call out. It comes out as a strangled whisper, so I clear my throat to try again. “Hel—” is all I can say before the door opens right into my head. Pain ricochets through my forehead and nose.

“Sorry,” the guy in the doorway says. He chuckles.

A girl opens the door fully. “Are you alright?” She’s attractive and also wearing a bikini, and her blond hair is tied back in a super high ponytail.

“Yes,” I say. I smile tightly, even though it still hurts. “I’m Elena. I’m supposed to be moving in today.”

She gives me a big smile. “I’m Lucy. The owner told me about you. Your bedroom is the first one you see when you get up the stairs. I’ll go get your keys.” She darts away.

I swallow and look at my feet, conscious of the guy’s eyes on me.

“Want to join us at the beach?” he asks.

When I look up, I try to focus on his face so that I don’t stare at his body. He’s wearing only shorts.

I peer back at my car. “I’ve got to get unpacked . . . but uh, thanks.”

He nods. “Maybe next time,” he says, and smiles.

Lucy comes back with an outstretched hand. “Here are your keys.”

I take them from her.

“The small one is the key to your bedroom. Just lock it when you leave to go anywhere, because we have parties occasionally. The big key is to the front door.”

“Thanks,” I say hesitantly. Is she insinuating that there are thieves or that random people will barge into my room when they are over? I consciously make a note to lock the door 24/7.

“I’ll see you later,” she says, then I watch as the two walk away in the same direction as the other girls went.

I return to my car, open the back door, and retrieve my heavy suitcase. I tow it along on its wheels while I proceed to the house. The front door opens on the living room, which is furnished with weathered green couches. A few beer bottles are scattered on the tables. The house is basic, with white walls, worn floorboards, and the bare minimum of furniture. As I walk in further, I see the kitchen toward the back and a staircase to my left.

I drag my suitcase over to the stairs. I go up one stair, pull . . . two stairs, pull . . . My suitcase is so heavy. This is going to take a while.

I’m breathing heavily when I get to the top, but at least the door is only three steps away. I knock first, just in case Lucy directed me to the wrong room. Silence. I push the door wide and see a white metal bedframe with a mattress on top, a white chest of drawers, and a nightstand.

Two and a half hours had passed by the time I’d dragged my suitcase and bags of clothes, shoes, books, and toiletries up the stairs and unpacked. I’m straightening the spines of my books when I hear laughter and talking coming from outside the house. The voices move inside and the front door bangs shut.

I step out of my room to hear a guy say, “I wonder if that girl is still here or if she bolted after seeing us.” He laughs. “The look on her face and what she was wearing . . . it looked like she was going to church.”

I glance down at my long dress with three-quarter sleeves and my ballet flats. What’s wrong with my outfit? To be fair, I have worn this dress to church on Sundays many times, but still . . .

“Her name’s Elena. I’m sure she’s in her room,” Lucy says. She looks up the stairs. Her friends follow her gaze until all eyes are on me.

I give them a small wave. I’ve always been socially awkward.

Lucy waves me over. “Come down and have some pizza with us.”

My stomach growls, reminding me I haven’t eaten since breakfast. I go down the stairs and approach her.

“Come on, I’ll show you around,” she says with a bright smile.

I clasp my hands in front of me and nod.

Lucy steps over to her friends, who have taken a seat on the couches. “Everyone, this is Elena,” she says. She points to the three attractive girls. “These are my friends Cindy, Jasmine, and Lia. They all live here too.” Cindy and Lia have blond hair, and Jasmine has black hair. The girls give me a friendly smile.

Two guys are fighting over the remote. Lucy points at one and says, “Jeremy is my boyfriend.” It’s the guy I saw this morning and who made fun of my dress. He snatches the remote and then smiles at me.

“Justin is Cindy’s boyfriend,” Lucy says, gesturing toward the other guy. He salutes me.

I follow Lucy toward the kitchen. The kitchen cabinets are cream, but with plenty of scratches. A broken cupboard door hangs crookedly. It’s clear that no one is taking care of this house. I suppose it’s perfect for people our age.

“Pots, pans, cutlery, and cups are stored in the cupboards and drawers,” Lucy says. “The grocery store is only a short drive away. Write your name on things in the cupboard and stuff like milk so that no one gets confused about who it belongs to.”

I follow Lucy back to the loud voices in the living room. Lucy sits on Jeremy’s lap, and I take a seat on the single chair.

“Where are you from?” Lucy asks. Everyone quietens and all eyes lock on to me.

“I’m from Meadowbank. It’s a small town around a thirty-minute drive from here.” My hometown isn’t anything to be embarrassed about. I need to be independent from my parents, and I thought a beach town would be a great place to move to.

“Oh yeah. It is small. It takes what, five minutes to travel through?” Lia asks sarcastically.

“Something like that,” I answer.

“What brought you to Crown Village?” asks Jasmine as she twirls her long black hair around her finger.

I was lonely and bored. “I landed a job at a restaurant.”

“Which one?” asks Lia.

“Crown Village Seafood Restaurant.”

“Our friend Cameron works there. His parents own it. The food there is so good,” says Justin. Everyone else nods.

“So good, but so expensive,” says Cindy.

There’s a knock on the door. Both guys stand up and hurry to the door. “Pizza’s here!” Justin yells out.

“Where do you guys work?” I ask them.

Cindy’s face contorts. “I don’t work. I’m at college studying economics.”

“I’m studying tourism,” Jasmine adds in.

“Jeremy and I are studying business management,” says Lucy. “Justin, engineering, and Lia, social sciences.”

“So, you all study and don’t work?” I clarify.

“Yep.” Lucy nods, and I feel an inch tall. Their parents must pay for everything.

The boys walk in and place the cardboard boxes on the table. When they open them, a heavenly smell wafts out. Jeremy takes two large slices and sits back down before he crams as much as he can into his mouth. As I take a small slice of pizza and a napkin, I marvel at just how different I am from them. While they’re out partying and sleeping in, I’ll be working.

After my belly is full, I say good night and go to my room. I lock the door before I lie down.

I could have been like them. Going to college was an option for me. I got the grades for it. I considered majoring in English, but in the end I wasn’t certain. I wasn’t going to get into that much debt without being one hundred percent sure what career I wanted. I thought I was doing the smart thing. Taking time off to consider my options. But according to my parents, I have the brains, so I should be going to college and making something of myself, not just being a waitress on minimum wage. I have a feeling their disappointment is based on the fact that they can’t brag to their friends at church about what I’m doing with my life rather than whether I’m happy and what I think is right for me.

My phone beeps. The message is from Henry, my ex-boyfriend, who I broke up with a while ago. We had been together since high school. He got into a college on the East Coast and intended to live on campus, but I didn’t want to have a long-distance relationship. Besides, we had grown apart long before we broke up.

The breakup had been amicable, and we still talk occasionally. I’m glad that there’s no bad blood between us and that we can still be friends. We’ve been close for so long.

Henry

How did the move go?

Good thanks.

At least someone cares, I think to myself.

I’ve met my roommates, they seem friendly.

That’s awesome. I look forward to hearing about it all.

I go back to my home screen. No phone call from my parents, asking if I arrived safe or if I’ve settled in okay. They were less than pleased about me moving and said I’m making a mistake. I wanted—no, I needed—to get out from under my parents’ judgement.

When I was searching for jobs, I saw a position as a waitress being advertised in Crown Village. Excited by the opportunity, I immediately applied. I was tired of being comatose, living but not alive. My roommates seem to be friends with the restaurant owner’s son, so that’s a positive considering they seem like a friendly group of people.

I pick up my reading glasses and put them on, then grab a romance novel from the nightstand and start to read. Soon I’m lost in stories about love, book boyfriends, and happily ever after, which are far better than my reality.

TWO

TRYING TO BE OPTIMISTIC

Elena

Gazing at my reflection, I gather my long blond hair and tie it into a bun before I apply tinted moisturizer, mascara, and strawberry lip balm. I expel a breath. This will have to do. I’m wearing a black three-quarter skirt and a white blouse.

Knock, knock. “Come on, I’m busting to go to the toilet.” Jeremy’s voice filters through the bathroom door. If these boys are going to live here, sharing one upstairs bathroom with seven people isn’t going to work.

I push the door open, and he darts in and starts peeing in the toilet before I can even close the door behind me. I shudder. Gross!

“Tell Cameron I’ll see him tonight,” he calls out.

Back in my bedroom, I slip my handbag over my shoulder before I leave. I lock my door and go downstairs.

It’s quiet compared to last night. When I woke up at two a.m., I could hear their voices and music. Empty pizza boxes and beer bottles and glasses from last night are scattered across the coffee table. I hope this isn’t a daily occurrence, but I suspect it might be.

In the kitchen I pour water into a glass and take my anxiety medication out of my bag. I swallow my daily dose: two tablets. I’ve been on anxiety medication since high school, when I put so much pressure on myself to do well that my hands would shake.

“I’ve got this,” I say, trying to convince myself that I’m confident before I head out the front door.

I walk to my faded yellow Mini Cooper. It’s older than me, but despite a few bangs and scratches from my driving, it gets the job done. My seat creaks as I get in and settle while I open the GPS app on my phone. “Don’t let me down,” I mumble. My GPS says it’s a seven-minute drive, but I’m leaving early, in plenty of time before my shift starts at eleven.

My heart beats faster the closer I get to the restaurant. The town’s main road runs along the beach. The water is calm, and it lazily laps the shore. I see small shops to my left and palm trees scattered along the sidewalk.

The restaurant is just up ahead. As I approach, a car leaves an angled parking spot nearby. I put on my blinker, and after several attempts and a car horn blasting, I reverse park. When I get out of the car, I see that I parked a little too close to the line for comfort, but I ignore it and make my way to the sidewalk, trying to control my breathing with slow breaths.

The restaurant appears modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a deck that wraps around the outside. A black sign with gold lettering proudly displays the name of the restaurant and my new place of employment: Crown Village Seafood Restaurant. It’s fine dining, and I hope I’m not out of my depth. I’m not the most graceful person. I think the manager at my last restaurant gave me a good reference to get rid of me. I accidentally broke several plates and glasses. I always apologized, but I’m lucky I kept my job as long as I did.

A Closed sign hangs on the door, but when I knock lightly, a young man appears. He opens the door, and I say, “Hello, I’m Elena. I’m supposed to be starting today.” I try to sound confident, though I don’t feel it.

The man’s eyes roam my body, making me shift uncomfortably. His smile widens when his eyes reach mine. “Hey, sorry,” he says and opens the door further. “Come on in. The name’s Cameron.”

I carefully enter. My stomach rolls like crazy.

“You’re more beautiful in person,” he quips, and I pause. “I had to check out your Instagram profile,” he says casually, and then he laughs when I don’t answer. “My father makes me ensure I’m hiring the right people; he can’t hire someone whose behavior will reflect poorly on the business. You know . . . our family restaurant’s reputation is important.”

As I exhale, my shoulders sag an inch. “Of course,” I say and smile. He was doing his due diligence for his family’s business.

“Come take a seat,” Cameron says, glancing at the closest two-seater table.

He sits down opposite me, and I can’t help but notice that he’s handsome, with brown eyes and hair and a broad smile.

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I appreciate it.” More than he will know—it allowed me to get out of my hometown.

His eyes light up. “It’s my pleasure. About the restaurant, we serve seafood, obviously. It’s fine dining, so the customers expect professional service. Your role at the beginning is to bring out food to the designated tables. Simple. I need you to smile and be professional and approachable.” His eyes trail me again. “What you’re wearing is perfect.”

I clasp my hands together and sit up straight, trying not to show how nervous I am.

He takes a menu from the table and passes it to me. “We serve primarily high-quality, locally sourced and sustainable seafood and produce, and our prices match our ethos.” He glances down at his watch. “The chefs and waitresses will arrive soon to prepare for lunch. I’ll have one girl show you the ropes, and you can shadow her today. If you have any questions, just let me know.”

His phone rings and he pulls it from his pocket. “Hey,” he answers and puts a finger up at me, signaling he’ll be a moment. I nod and give him a small smile before he walks toward the rear of the restaurant and enters a door that I assume leads to the kitchen.

As I wait for him to return, I survey the restaurant. Tables are separated evenly around and ringed with elegant chairs with timber legs and plush fabric seats. The real beauty is the full view of the ocean.

Members of staff come in through the front door; the men smile at me, and a bald one gives me a friendly wave. They head to the back of the restaurant. Women dressed similarly to me walk in, but they pay no attention to me. Not that I’m anyone important, but I was hoping to make a few friends while I’m here.

Cameron’s been gone for a while, so I pull my phone out of my bag. When the women start setting up the tables, I stand up to help just as Cameron reappears and the front door opens.

“Mel, good to see you’ve turned up.”

A girl around my age with a short pixie cut walks in. She gives Cameron a big smile, walks to him, and gives him a kiss on the cheek.

I’m surprised at the affection. I hope Cameron doesn’t expect that from me.

“Miss me, did you?” she purrs.

“Always,” he says playfully, and then he turns toward me. “Elena is new. She’s shadowing you today.” He turns back to Mel. “Be nice,” he says sternly.

That is not an encouraging sign.

Cameron walks away and Mel moves toward me, her eyes scanning me up and down. “I can see why he hired you.”

I clear my throat. “Why do you say that?”

“He only hires attractive waitresses.” Her eyes drift over me again. “Come with me. I’ll show you where to put your things.”

As I walk behind her, I notice that she’s dressed like me, although her skirt is a lot shorter than mine. I tap her on the shoulder and lower my voice. “I don’t have to kiss Cameron on the cheek, do I?” I recoil at the thought.

She laughs. “No, but it’ll do you a lot of good to be very friendly to him. The tips here are worth putting up with him. I encourage it, though, because I usually get the best shifts when I do.”

I’ve already decided that that won’t be happening. I guess I’ll have to deal with getting the crappy shifts.

We walk past the tables, then through the large doors and into the kitchen area. Mel puts her bag on a shelf. “Put your bag up here.”

As I put my bag away, Mel’s phone beeps. She pulls it out, then laughs when she stares at the screen and types.

“Boyfriend?” I ask, making small talk.

She waves me off, then puts her phone away. “No, a guy from this dating app I’m on.”

I blink a few times, unsure how to reply. “Cool.”

Butterflies perform acrobatics in my stomach as I make every effort to take in Mel’s instructions on the details of my job. Cameron was right. It doesn’t seem too complicated, and I try to remember table numbers and the menu.

Apart from Cameron watching my every move, my first shift is a blur of friendly faces and the delicious aroma of food wafting through the restaurant. Once the last patron leaves, I help clean the tables and then grab my bag. Cameron leans against the wall close to me, making me take a small step back.

His eyes flick over me before he says, “How was your first shift?”

“Good, thank you.”

He smiles. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the same time. Can you also work the evening shift tomorrow?”

More shifts, more money. “I sure can. I live with Lucy and the girls. Jeremy said he’ll see you tonight.”

Cameron’s brows lift. “You live with Lucy?”

I nod.

“Looks like we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other. Are you coming out to the diner too?” he asks.

I’m not sure how I feel about seeing my boss at my house. “Early night for me tonight. Have fun though.”

I follow Mel outside and glance around one last time. “Are there any other staff members I haven’t met yet?”

“Only a couple of girls that do casual shifts,” Mel answers.

At my last restaurant there was both waiters and waitresses. “Aren’t there any waiters?”

She opens the door and we walk out. She flashes me a smile. “You noticed that, huh? Cameron reckons women bring in more customers—therefore, more money—but I think he just likes to perve on us. I saw Cameron’s got his eye on you.”

A sense of unease twists knots inside of me, despite my attempts to stay optimistic. I don’t want any special attention. I want to do what I do best—blend into the background. My introverted self doesn’t enjoy going out to socialize. I’m happy being at home reading a book.

A loud rumble makes me jerk, and I pivot to the sound of motorcycles passing us. I count seven black bikes that, even for a person who knows nothing about bikes, look high-end. Their black and chrome parts shine in the sun. The men driving them, who are wearing matching vests, seem scary.

“That’s the War Brothers MC,” Mel says after they pass us. “They’re the hottest men in town.” She lets out a long sigh. “What I wouldn’t do to become a sweet butt.”

I turn around to face her. “What’s a sweet butt?”

“The women who are allowed to live there with the men. They help at the clubhouse doing cleaning and cooking, but they’re in it for the sex and to live there rent-free. I’m so jealous!”

I’m disturbed by that revelation and realize I grew up very sheltered.

Her phone pings, and she pulls it out and smiles. Her eyes return to mine. “Do you have a boyfriend?”

“No.” Henry and I are just friends now. He has always treated me well, but our connection seemed more like a friendship than a romantic relationship.

“Have you thought about setting up a profile on a dating app?” she asks enthusiastically.

I shake my head. “I recently got out of a relationship. I’m not interested. Anyway, aren’t the guys on them only after sex and hooking up?”

“No, you can put what you’re after on your profile. Everyone’s rich here. You have to agree that it would be lovely to go out and be wined and dined for a night. It’s whatever you want it to be.”

I shrug. “It doesn’t interest me.” I just moved here. I have next to no experience with guys and the thought sends my heart racing.

She tilts her head. “You’re weird, you know that?”

I chuckle. “Yes, I’m well aware.” I’ve always been shy; I can’t help it. I live vicariously through the books I read.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she says over her shoulder as she walks away.

“See you then,” I reply and walk over to my car.