Ready to Fall Read Online Free Page B

grin, he started making his way to the store entrance. Time to end this conversation and usher her out. “If you need a volunteer to give the bikes a tune-up or someone to sponsor the event, keep looking. I can’t. Like I said, this is a pretty new shop. I have too many things to do and not a lot of extra money.”
    Instead of following him to the door, she turned around and leaned her curvy butt against the counter. “That’s not why I’m here. I need you to teach me how to ride a bike before that retreat.”
    And there it was. The reason for all this. “You want to learn how to ride in three days?”
    â€œYes.” She smiled again, clearly pleased that he’d grasped the situation at long last.
    â€œAnd you want me to teach you? Over the Fourth of July holiday? On top of my normal schedule here at the shop?”
    Her smile began to fade. “Yes.”
    Jesus, this had to be a joke. In what universe would Helen ever believe he’d give a grown woman riding lessons after work? Him, the man she often called the pissiest human being on the face of the Earth? Unless . . .
    â€œIs Helen trying to set us up?” Unable to resist, he scanned Sarah’s lush body one last time. “You can tell her she got my type right. But I’m not ready to date again. Sorry.”
    Sarah remained silent for a long moment, taking what appeared to be a confused look down at herself. Then she raised her head and stared directly at him.
    â€œThis isn’t a setup. This is—I mean, I am—a woman who needs to learn how to ride a bike in three days for the sake of true love.” As his mouth opened, she clarified, “Don’t worry. True love for another man. Not you.”
    â€œTrue love?” he repeated.
    â€œTrue love,” she confirmed.
    A bitter smile curved his mouth. “In that case, you’re definitely wasting your time,” he told her. “Love is the absolute last reason I’d do anything for anyone right now.”
    She floundered for a moment, clearly startled that playing that particular card hadn’t worked for her. “You’re really not willing to help me?”
    He looked her in the eye. “Lady, it’s almost one o’clock in the afternoon. I need to man my shop until seven, at which time I’ll be tired. I’m not teaching a complete stranger to ride her bike at night after work, especially not for true love. You need to find someone else.”
    Her eyes clouded with disappointment for a brief moment, but they quickly brightened again. She was martialing another argument in her head. He didn’t know what it would entail, only that it would exist. And that it wouldn’t sway him.
    He wasn’t getting involved in this. Wasn’t getting involved with her in any way, especially if she was pursuing another man. Jesus, the irony would choke him.
    Sarah planted both hands on his counter and leaned forward, her jaw set with resolve. “What about for money?” she asked. “I was going to pay you. A lot.”
    At that, he froze. Irony might choke him, but it could also feed him. Could help keep the store open for a little while longer. “How much money are you talking about?”
    â€œFive hundred,” she said. “For up to three nights of work. But you’ll have to guarantee I’ll be able to ride by the time of the retreat.”
    Christ on a cracker . That was a hell of a lot of money. Enough to keep his head above water for a couple of weeks or do a little more advertising. Maybe even make some improvements to the front of the store.
    Other than a few late nights, he couldn’t see any potential harm in the plan. Tempting though she was, she wanted another man. That was enough to ensure he’d leave her alone. More than enough.
    After a minute, she nodded toward the paper. “Well? What do you say?”
    He held out his hand for her to shake. When their fingers