The Biker and the Loner (Oil and Water #3)- S. Ann Cole Page 0,67

mass text message to everyone in his contacts for all I know.

My heart squeezes in on itself.

I'm in love with Landon Michaelson, that much I know. I've been in love with him long before I offered myself to him in that trailer. Long before I ever believed there could be an us. I don't want to lose him. I don't want him to ever stop wanting me with that determined fierceness that he does, so I'd be lying if I said I'm not scared shitless right now.

With jittery fingers, I tap out a reply.

Me: I miss you baby. Can't wait to see you!

He doesn’t reply.

The weeks following my return from rehab have been hectic, eventful, hard, educational. A huge chunk of time was spent at my lawyer's office and the bank. So. Much. Paperwork. And so much money! Before rehab, when I’d read that Kathy left me everything, I didn’t understand the magnitude of what that meant. Now, I do.

About eight different sources of income from silent investments have been transferred to me, investments that even Papà had that were supposed to be turned over to me at age eighteen but Kathy had purposely kept from me.

There are houses, lands, and an exotic car rental business. I’ve had back-to-back meetings with each mastermind who’s been managing and overseeing Kathy’s affairs. Those who aren’t based in Colorado flew in, eager to please their new boss—me.

By the time we were through with all the paperwork and transfers, I was exhausted. Yet my to-do list is monumental. I have decisions to make. Lots and lots of decisions. Most importantly, I need an advisor. I’ve been thrown in at the deep end and it’s a lot to get my arms around. But with the help of Toni and Kendra, I’ve been able to take it in one breath at a time.

Only Toni knows about my insane inheritance. She's well-off, but extremely quiet and low-key about it, so I figured she would be the best person to confide in about it and get some advice from going forward.

Cookie is dope and she isn't strapped for cash either, being a multi-business owner and all, but she's also Judge's sister and she has a mouth on her, so I don't think I would ever fully trust her.

Kendra is my best friend and I would hate for this to cause a shift in our relationship, which Toni agrees would happen no matter how strong our friendship is, so I’ve also decided not to let her in on the scale of my inheritance. At least for now.

One breath at a time.

One breath at a time.

Most of this past week was spent securing the spot for my breakfast restaurant and learning as much as I can from Toni and Cookie as I begin setting things in motion.

Suffice it to say, I’ve been busy, consumed, and on the go. But none of it has been able to push Scratch from the forefront of my mind. He’s always there, like a pulsating migraine, refusing to be forgotten about for even a second. I’ve been counting down the days, anxious and apprehensive.

Until the day finally arrives…

I wake up before sunrise a nervous wreck. What time is he coming? Should I prepare a breakfast feast, a lunch feast, a dinner feast, or just a feast in general?

The fridge is loaded with beer and tomato juice, and an entire shelf in the pantry is packed with gingernuts—his favorite snack.

When the AM passes and he doesn’t show, I dejectedly stow away the leftovers from the breakfast feast I prepared.

Then I text Kendra.

Me: Do you know what time Scratch is supposed to be back?

Kendra: Shit. I forgot that's today.

Kendra: No. Haven't been able to get through to him since he left. Updates usually comes through his training director or a random text. It’s like he's in the army all over again.

Me: OK

Kendra: You good?

Me: Not really. I'm a little nervous.

Kendra: Why?

Me: What if I blew it? What if he gets back and isn't interested anymore?

Kendra: *eye-roll emoji*

Kendra: Chill. You're his woman. For good. Trust me.

Me: OK. *Fingers crossed emoji*

Me: BTW, I'm in the market for a damn good accountant who's also willing to sign an NDA. Know any?

Kendra: I'll send you my resume, bitch.

I don’t make lunch, but I’m gussied up just in case; we could go out for lunch somewhere nice.

Unfortunately, lunchtime turns out to be a bust as well. I'd made sure to put everything on pause to keep this day free, but I’m starting