“Do you trust me?”
There were several agonizing moments before she finally nodded. “Yeah, I do.”
“Okay, then I promise I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.”
* * *
Emma had wantedto ask Marty several times what this big secret was, but he made it clear he wasn’t going to share more information until lunch the next day.
On Tuesday, Marty said nothing about it that morning. They carried on with work and classes like normal. At lunch, Caleb left for lunch leaving Marty and Emma to lock up behind them. Emma was writing a note for herself when Marty came from the breakroom, one hand behind him and his motorcycle helmet under the other arm.
“I was hoping you’d ride with me.”
What? He never said a thing about riding his motorcycle. Panic hit and Emma immediately shook her head. “I told you, I’m not riding that motorcycle of yours without a helm—”
Marty pulled his other hand around his back and presented her with a second helmet. “You were saying?”
“I’m not sure how safe it is. I’ve never ridden on one before. What if I throw the balance off or something?” She hated how rushed her words sounded.
“You said you trusted me. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
“Sometimes it’s not all in your control.”
“You’re right.” Marty motioned to the building around them. “An airplane could fall out of the sky and destroy the gym right now. Emma, something could always potentially happen. That doesn’t mean you can’t let yourself live.” He held the helmet out to her.
“If I wear this, I’ll have the worst case of helmet hair on record.” It was a lame excuse, but she was starting to run out of them.
“And you’ll still be the most beautiful woman in Clearwater.” He gave her a smile that warmed Emma all the way to the tips of her toes. “Come on.”
Emma sighed as she put the helmet on and pushed the visor back until they were outside.
Marty grinned at her and gave the top of her helmet a slap. “Look at you. I’m going to make a motorcyclist out of you yet.”
“Don’t hold your breath.”
He laughed as they left the building and Emma locked up behind them. She watched him sit on the motorcycle and then, feeling all kinds of awkward, she climbed on behind him. Marty showed her where she could rest her feet.
“Okay, now put your arms around my chest and hang on. Try to relax and simply lean with me. We’re only about five minutes away from our destination, so it’ll be a short ride.”
Emma did as instructed and leaned close to him as she wrapped her arms around his chest. She pulled her visor down. “This right here was all part of your plan, wasn’t it?”
Marty laughed again. “Honey, I wouldn’t admit it even if it was.” He gave one of her hands a quick squeeze. “Hold on, here we go.”
She instinctively closed her eyes as they started to move, willing herself to relax, and knowing that wasn’t going to happen. They stopped at the end of the parking lot, and her helmet lightly bumped his in the process. She opened her eyes and looked at the reflection of herself in the back of Marty’s helmet. At least, with the visor, no one could see how nervous she was.
Traffic cleared and they took off again. As they made a turn, Emma prayed they wouldn’t tip over. But moments later, they were cruising down the street. Emma suspected he was driving slower than he normally would, and she was grateful.
She made herself keep her eyes open. This close to Marty, she couldn’t see where they were going, but was aware of everything that flew by them on the sides. The sun heated her quickly, and she wondered how anyone rode a motorcycle with all the protective gear on during the summer. Thanks to Marty, she was blocked from everything they might hit, including the breeze.
True to his word, they made two turns before slowing. Emma relaxed a little and leaned back enough to observe their surroundings. They were downtown on one of the side streets. Emma knew this area well because her family often drove through during December to admire the Christmas lights that all of the big houses would display.
They cruised down the street and slowed in front of one of the homes Emma remembered seeing most of her life. Its high brick and wrought-iron fence made it one of the most festive houses during the holidays.
She looked beyond the fence at the large two-story brick home complete with a balcony on the second floor. It was something out of a fairy tale.
Why were they here?
Marty turned into the lined driveway and stopped at the access pad. To Emma’s shock, he put in a code, waited for the gate to open, and then drove down the driveway to the front of the house. He cut the engine and got off the motorcycle before helping Emma do the same.
