The Driving Force to Love (MXM) ✔

Chapter 26

Dean Axle Lance

I sat behind the counter of my store. I was on the computer ordering more general supplies for the shop when the bell above the door rang as someone walked in. I swiveled in my chair to address whoever it was. "Bev," I said and a genuine smile found its way to my lips.

"Hi, Dean," she said with a smile of her own.

"How's the new motorcycle working out for you?"

"I love it," she said as she approached the counter. She had her purse slung over her shoulder and a casserole dish in her hands. I could already smell the lasagna. It didn't help that it was almost closing time and I was hungry. My stomach growled, but I hoped it wasn't loud enough for her to hear. She set the casserole dish on the countertop. "I made lasagna for you as thanks for teaching Zack and Eva how to ride."

"You didn't have to do that," I said, but I was already pulling the lasagna closer to me. "I was paid to teach them."

"But I know it was at a big discount. You should have charged more, but thanks for keeping the price low."

"Sure," I said. "So how is riding with your children? I didn't hear your bike today."

"Yeah, I drove the car," she said. "It's kinda hard to carry the lasagna on a motorcycle."

"That's true," I said.

"The four of us go driving up the canyon every Sunday and have a little picnic. I love it. I know it won't last long. They are paying extra attention to me since the divorce and even more so now that Sarah is pregnant."

"You have good kids," I said.

She smiled at this. "I do," she said. She had a little bit of grey mingled in with her dark blonde hair now and some fine wrinkles around her eyes. She had put on some weight since high school, but despite all that, she was still as beautiful as she was in high school. Maybe even more so since the years had added grace, wisdom and even more kindness.

"You are looking good," I said.

"Am I? That's kind of you to say, but I doubt it. I am feeling less ragged since the divorce, but I'm past the prime of my life."

"Who says? I think you grow more beautiful each day." I paused as I realized how that sounded. "I'm not flirting."

She laughed and it was bright and cheerful just like it was in her younger years. It seemed like the divorce might have been doing her good too. I hadn't heard her laugh like that - and especially not around Frank - in a long time. "I know," she said. "I know you well enough to tell the difference. You do have a tendency to do things that come across as flirting to people who don't know you well though."

I thought back to the bar and how I had brushed Jamie's beard. I really hadn't meant anything by it, but I realized belatedly how that could seem like flirting. "I know," I said. "I usually don't realize I'm doing it until after the fact. Sometimes I'm really an idiot."

"You really are," she agreed teasingly. I smiled. It really was good to see her happy again. "You should warn people you date about that tendency so they don't get the wrong idea."

"Yeah," I agreed and thought back on Tonio's expression.

"You seem like you are," she said and leaned forward a little on the counter.

"Are what?" I asked.

"Dating someone," she said with an all too knowing glint in her eyes.

"I am," I said. "It's new and I'm not ready to share the details yet," I added just so she wouldn't ask questions. It was harder than I first thought it was going to be to keep quiet about Tonio.